China Sends Empty Containers: Unpacking the Global Shipping Puzzle

Introduction The global economy hums along, driven by a relentless movement of goods. From iPhones to furniture, the world’s products traverse oceans and continents, often hidden within giant metal boxes: shipping containers. However, a significant disruption plagues this intricate system: the pervasive issue of China sends empty containers across the globe, contributing significantly to the…

Did China Ship Empty Containers? Unpacking the Global Shipping Imbalance

Introduction The global shipping industry, the silent engine of our interconnected world, has been anything but silent in recent years. Spot rates for shipping containers from China to the United States, for instance, have skyrocketed, injecting volatility into supply chains and causing significant headaches for businesses of all sizes. This surge in prices, coupled with…