Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the so-called “needing demand” for products used at home is increasing worldwide, and as a result, there is a shortage of containers required for transportation by ship, and fares continue to rise.
Prolonged container shortages can lead to delays in transportation and higher prices.
Regarding logistics by ship, the shortage of containers for loading luggage has become serious due to the worldwide increase in “demand for nesting” of products used at home and the delay in unloading work at the port due to labor shortage. I am.
As a result, according to shipping companies, the freight rates for container ships from Japan and China to the west coast of the United States have more than doubled from the previous year as of December last year.
Reflecting this situation, the three major Japanese shipping companies have revised their final profit outlook for the current year upward by the 3rd.
NYK Line is about 2.5 times the previous forecast, or 90 billion yen, Kawasaki Kisen is more than tripled to 65 billion yen, and MOL is tripled to 60 billion yen.
However, if the situation of container shortage is prolonged, transportation may be delayed or the price of goods may increase due to soaring freight rates.
At an online press conference, NYK Line executive officer Toru Maruyama said, "It's an abnormal situation. We are taking measures such as operating a ship that carries only empty containers, but it is difficult to resolve it immediately."