The global pool of shipping containers increased by 13% to almost 50 million TEU in 2021, which was three times prior growth trend, according to maritime research consultancy Drewry.

Drewry’s recently published Container Census & Leasing Annual Review & Forecast 2022/23report says that this reflected lessors and ocean carriers ordering a record number of containers, while retiring fewer ageing units, as congestion across global supply chains meant containers were an estimated 15% to 20% less productive than in pre-Covid period.