Portico, the international cargo terminal based at Portsmouth International Port, is helping some of the world’s biggest shipping lines to reposition their empty containers.
Said a Portico spokesperson: “Britain is currently awash with empty containers. This is causing congestion at UK ports and a shortage of containers in Asia for exports, with low container availability reported across Chinese and Indian ports.”
This issue has widespread implications for the worldwide economy, with multiple knock-on effects.
The ongoing effect of the coronavirus pandemic, along with some British ports seeing container traffic 30% above normal levels has led to a glut of empty containers across the UK.
Added the spokesperson: “Combine this with importers looking to stock up ahead of Christmas, and you’ve got a major container headache.
“To help get containers moving again, Portico are working with some of the world’s biggest shipping lines to get them back to where they are needed. Their flexible terminal and great location next to the motorway network means they are ideally placed to help remedy this problem.”
This started today, with a shipment of empty CMA CGM containers being loaded onto BG Freight vessel, MV Elbstrom, bound for Europe.
Steve Williams, operations director at Portico, said: “We’re pleased that we can do our bit to help solve this issue, which is causing disruption to supply chains across the globe and hampering the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve really demonstrated our versatility this year, handling everything from fresh produce to satellite test chambers, showing that we’re ready for any challenge.”
This visit of BG Freight to the terminal is the first from one of Europe’s major short sea shipping lines, which demonstrates the potential of more scheduled feeder services establishing themselves at Portsmouth.
Jonathan Williams, commercial manager at Portico, said: “There is still much uncertainty regarding the UK’s future trading relationship with Europe.
“Because of this, many businesses are looking at moving their European exports from roll-on/roll-off services using the Dover straits, to short sea container services which offer reliability alongside significant cost and carbon savings.
“We already offer a weekly service to the Port of Antwerp and have an in-house customs agency team to deal with the paperwork, so we’d encourage British businesses to get in touch to see how we can help you.”
