Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2005

Stacked 40-Foot Containers

Empty containers can be stacked to about 7 containers in height, although 6 is considered safer. The above containers are waiting in the port of Yantian (China) to be picked up and be filled in nearby factories and distribution centers. The port has a pure export-oriented function, as for each container it imports, nine are exported. It mimics the Chinese development strategies of accessing global (western) markets through the use of its comparative advantages in terms of low production costs and the transshipment imbalances it implies. A staggering 80-90% of all its imported containers are empty. It is worth noting that containers are stacked by ownership since they involve different leasing arrangements and customers. Maritime shippers and freight forwarders and reluctant to use the containers of other companies.

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