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0 pointslotsofpulp4y ago0 comments

> I gather that it's become harder to ship back empty containers though, and presumably just scrapping them is not a sound solution in the long run either.

This is not obvious to me. The same ships are going back to fetch more goods, so why would they want to go empty?

Surely the cost of manufacturing a new container is (or should be) less than the cost of putting it on an empty boat.

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bombcar4y ago

It’s time to load. An empty ship may be halfway back to China to get a new (overpriced) load before a similar ship is loaded with empties.

jaycroft4y ago

Does the port charge container owners for storing empties? Ramp up the storage fee, and voila... empty containers go back on empty boats that would otherwise make the return trip with no load. Container owners will find that shipping them back with a reasonable premium to keep ships around long enough to pick up the empties eventually costs less than storing them at the port.

Aside, I'd love to have an empty container on my parcel out in the desert, if there's such a huge glut of empties, why does one in any condition cost $10k, without delivery? If anyone has a source for empty containers for sale at reasonable prices, I'd love to have their contact info.

foolinaround4y ago

you can find containers for $400 online, maybe even free, if you have a truck to pick up..

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lotsofpulpOP4y ago

I assume a port would be designed to have a buffer of empties (or filled containers) ready to load.

daveevad4y ago

> the cost of manufacturing a new container is (or should be) less than the cost of putting it on an empty boat.

If you can prove that considering all externalities you would win a Nobel prize in Economic Sciences.

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