Denmark’s shipping giant, Maersk Line, is deploying laid-up ships to reposition empties where they are needed – as well as ordering new boxes and leasing old ones, according to the Shipping Gazette.
The report, citing UK’s Handing Shipping Guide, quotes Maersk management board member Lars Reno Jakobsen saying the company expects the equipment shortage to last through the third quarter of this year.
“We are experiencing a demand surge in most trades, which is unprecedented and unexpected. The Asia-Europe trade is growing by 23% compared to the market’s single digit expectation six months ago. Therefore, we see a very tight equipment situation,” according to Jakobsen.
“We have been working to minimise the inconvenience and shall continue to live up to commitments we make through the peak season when we expect an even more serious shortage,” he was quoted as saying.
