The value of empty containers
Ensuring the exchange of empty containers between the various trade regions is currently a vital issue. The latest example of a shipping line fighting against the tide is the carrier Maersk, which deployed a unit to Sidney and Melbourne just for the purpose of picking up empties.
The "Soroe Maersk", a 9,600 teu-vessel, recently took than 3,750 empty containers, or roughly 40% of its total capacity, on board in Port Botany.
In the Port of Melbourne, at the Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), 400 more empties were loaded. The 347 m long vessel is the longest unit ever to call at the Australian port so far.
The "Soroe Maersk" departed on midday Tuesday, 6 April after loading 4,148 teu. The ship is now about to call Vung Tau (near Ho Chi Minh City) in Vietnam and will sail on to China later. This measure is significant in terms of investment, considering the missed freight.
Currently, the spot-market rate of the Shanghai Shipping Exchange is around 1,500 index points on the Shanghai-Australia route, while the Freightos Baltic Composite Index is quoting prices of more than USD 4,000 per feu these days. (cd)