The shipping container shortage that’s wreaking havoc on the global supply chain

The Shipping Container Shortage That’s Wreaking Havoc on the Global Supply Chain | GZERO World

Spare a thought for the poor shipping container, responsible for most of the world's trade. It's had a rough year that started with the gargantuan Ever Given getting stuck in the Suez Canal.

Now the Suez traffic jam has gone global.

When the pandemic started, everyone needed COVID supplies from China. Chinese factories couldn't keep up with soaring demand from Western nations, and empty containers started to pile up in faraway ports.

Sending one of these ships from Shanghai to Los Angeles has jumped more than ten-fold from $2,000 to $25,000.

And as demand increases even more, the problem is getting worse — a vicious cycle with no end in sight just as the holidays approach.

Watch this episode of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer: Inflation nation: What's driving US prices higher?

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Be sure to catch next week’s groundbreaking discussions on new technologies for global energy security in disruptive times live from the MSC Energy Security Hub at the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion. On Friday, Feb. 1: See the exclusive keynote by Fatih Birol, executive director of International Energy Agency, entitled “Europe’s Energy Power Struggle: Rising Demand and a New Competitive Landscape”, Join an expert panel as they discuss “Net Zero for Global Security? Geopolitics of Energy Transition and Hydrogen Trade,” featuring Leila Benali (Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco), Jennifer Morgan (State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, German Federal Foreign Office), Rainer Quitzow (professor for Sustainability and Innovation, TU Berlin), Katherina Reiche (CEO, Westenergie AG; Chairwoman, National Hydrogen Council), Narendra Taneja (energy expert & chairman, Independent Energy Policy Institute). Saturday, Feb. 15 “Shaping Tomorrow’s Renewable Energy Paradigm in Times of Uncertainty,” the keynote by William Chueh, director, Precourt Institute for Energy, associate professor of materials science and engineering, Stanford University Plus many more panels and fireside chats. If you’re eager to explore how nations can boost their competitiveness, strengthen their economies, and create a future-proof society, sign up for our free livestream here.