Pandemic is not solely the cause of this issue although contributes to it

Although the situation is not new there have been early signs that this would happen. The port authorities also handled the problem very well at the start but then the sudden increase in the supply-demand caused havoc again. The container shortage gradually started at the outburst of a pandemic.

At the start, there was no burden on the shipping industry as there was very low supply demand due to restrictions around the world. The closure of ports and trade did put a large impact on the industry. To cope with the situation some companies also sold their containers to compensate for the losses.

This became one of the reasons why there was a container shortage. But this is not the end of the story. People started to commence their usual business and trade routines as there was a relaxation in the restrictions. At that time there was a heavy flow of cargo which gradually further increased.

The present situation is that there is a serious container shortage and there is a long queue of companies waiting for a space to get their cargo through to Pakistan from the UK and from the UK to other countries as well. this container shortage is not restricted to any one country the issue has spread around the world.

A long way back to normal supply chain

Predictions are that the crisis is going to last till the next year. Still, the situation is very unpredictable with another mutation on the way: Omicron. Once the sea freight was taken to be the most affordable when it came to sending cargo in bulk and companies fondly used it for the purpose. But the current situation is disastrous.

People are shifting to air cargo as the prices here are now perceived as better than shipping. Also, it is faster and safer if taken that way. Air cargo to Pakistan from the UK or with any other country at target has certainly gained popularity these days.

But with some limitation’s companies doing large-scale businesses are finding ways to get back to normal as soon as possible. Because this medium is the most suitable for their trade and they want it functioning as it used to do before the pandemic.

Disrupted supply chains are a major cause of the breakdown

What is happening is that with overloading the ships more containers are reaching the destined port. This overloading takes more time to get unloaded and also make the ports congested. With more goods to deliver there is a shortage of lorry drivers also beside the space issue at the ports. The busiest port in the UK is experiencing such issues but of empty containers.

There is always a rush of incoming containers as to take them back there are more vessels needed. As the incoming vessels take back more Sea cargo there is no time or space on the ship to tackle these empty containers. All this disturbance in the supply chain is causing many to find either alternative ways or contribute themselves to the solution.

Booking takes a long time

As there are lesser containers are available the booking is a long and tiresome process these days. Some companies ask for a four-week prior booking or even this time doubles somewhere else. So, the cargo has to wait a double time to get delivered to the recipient.

Some companies are building their containers to solve the issue a bit while some are diverting to air cargo. Some also arrange for transport from the port towards the destination to have the work done a bit faster.

The present situation is a big loss to a once flourishing industry. The cause can be the pandemic or shortage of the major elements. Not building more vessels or containers is one of the biggest mistakes which has caused the problem over time.

Before-Christmas cargo has done its part

With every occasion the load on ports increases which these used to handle very well. But with such a situation already the Felixstowe port as well as other ports around the world have become even more congested.

For container shortage, there have been some solutions on the way and hopefully, the situation gets under control shortly. Once on the track and pandemic under control, this medium can be restored to its original functionality in very little time.

Rerouting can be a good option for lessening the burden of Felixstowe

Being on the list of busiest ports of Britain this port has been in trouble for a long time. But now there is the rerouting of ships from Maersk so that the load can decrease. This company is taking the ships to other European ports from where with the help of smaller ships the cargo or trade goods will be supplied in the UK.

This has made the situation at the port better. Before that, due to berth over-crowding, there was a delay in unloading and then operating on the next ship. But the solution is not long-lasting however, till the new vessels or more capacity is added to the ports and companies this can be a sigh of relief.