10 Japanese Sports Cars That Used To Be Everywhere, But You Won't See Them Today

Mecum Auctions

 

In recent years, the massive shift in the automotive landscape has seen numerous Japanese sports cars disappear from the public eye.

The land of the rising sun is home to some of the most respected sports cars on the market today, including the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, Nissan Z, Lexus RC F, and Mazda MX-5. Looking back to the Japanese Golden Age in the 1980s and '90s, it's mind-blowing how the country evolved from a blip on the automotive radar in years past to a global leader. Due to their respectable power, superior reliability, excellent driver involvement, and approachable pricing, dozens of legendary Japanese sports cars dominated the global market.

However, technological advances and consumer preferences have seen the automotive landscape shift massively in the last decade alone. As a result, numerous iconic Japanese sports cars disappeared from the public eye. Relegated to weekend driving, garage collections, car meets, or even track days, it's increasingly rare to see these sports cars. Here's a list of sports cars that used to be everywhere, but you won't see them today.

10/10Toyota Celica

The Celica broke new ground for sports cars with its go-anywhere, do-anything attitude, establishing itself as a formidable sales success and a revered motorsport icon. Throughout its lifetime, Toyota sold the Celica in coupe and liftback body styles with numerous engine configurations like the beloved 4A-GE and the legendary 3S-GTE.

With stricter emission regulations and a gradual shift away from sports cars weighing down on production, Toyota discontinued the Celica in the U.S. in the summer of 2004 after 35 years of production. Almost two decades later, the Celica population is dwindling significantly, despite the popularity of models like the sixth-generation GT-Four and the striking XYR-designed seventh-generation coupe.

9/10Mitsubishi Eclipse

The iconic Eclipse sports coupe appealed to enthusiasts with its futuristic design, road-hugging stance, and heart-thumping mechanics. A proper driver's car of the time, the three-starred sports coupe made its mark in pop and tuner culture alongside legends like the Skyline and Supra with stellar performances in the Fast and Furious franchise.

Mitsubishi sold the Eclipse for over two decades up to 2012 and across four generations, opting to discontinue the model in favor of developing battery technology and meeting global environmental targets. Despite enjoying a solid fanbase of motorsport enthusiasts and sports car aficionados, the Eclipse also fell victim to changing tastes and has become a rare sight on the roads today.

8/10Nissan 240SX

Nissan conceived the 240SX as a modestly sensible two-door sports car primarily aimed at the lower end of the market. Designed with a desirable front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, a lightweight yet stiff chassis, independent suspension, and a slick-shifting manual transmission, the 240SX made an immediate impact as a massively fun-to-drive sports car.

The 240SX made more inroads in the U.S. than its predecessors, developing a dominant reputation in the drifting, racing, and tuner communities. Interestingly, Nissan produced over two million 240SX models for the American market before it got axed in 1998. However, the demanding life most of these models experienced ensured only a few remain on the roads today.

7/10Acura Integra GS-R

From top to bottom of the lineup and across four generations, the Acura Integra stamped its authority on the market as one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive sport compacts. This achievement was especially true with the GS-R variant, also revered for its neutral balance, impressive dynamics, and thrilling feedback, allowing it to surpass larger, more potent sports cars of the time.

Part of the GS-R's specialness came from its engines, considering it was the second model after the NSX to cause waves in the U.S. with the rev-happy VTEC. Although Acura eventually resurrected the Integra nameplate following a 15-year hiatus, the iconic predecessors that set the benchmark in the 1990s and 2000s are rarely seen in action.

6/10Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Lancer Evolution series became more of a rally weapon than a typical sports car thanks to Mitsubishi's ceaseless quest for automotive dominance and its long-term commitment to ruggedness. With legendary rally drivers like Tommi Mäkinen and Richard Burns on the wheel, the Lancer Evolution ascended into the WRC hall of fame and achieved cult status among enthusiasts.

The Lancer Evolution also influenced pop culture through epic performances in blockbuster films like Fast and Furious and Taxi 2, not to mention stellar features in video games such as Gran Turismo, Forza Horizon, and Need For Speed. Later variants like the Evo X still garner attention from automotive enthusiasts today, but most of the earlier models that established the Lancer Evolution legacy are less active in public.

5/10Toyota MR-2

Toyota was not the first company to produce a small, budget-friendly, mass-produced sports car, but it was undoubtedly the first to enjoy significant sales success, thanks to the legendary MR-2. The MR-2's light chassis, fun-to-drive nature, and desirable mid-engine layout made it one of the best sports cars on the track and the streets.

Toyota's understanding of the 'win on Sunday, buy on Monday' philosophy saw the popular MR-2 enjoy considerable success in motorsport, from the Japanese Grand Touring Championships to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Swiss Touring Car Championship. MR-2 production ceased in 2005 after a global slowdown in sports car demand, and its numbers on the road have gradually dwindled over the years.

4/10Nissan 300ZX

The 300ZX introduced Japan's first mass-produced V-6, not to mention innovative technology such as a computerized Voice Warning System and the Body Sonic audio system with a bass amplifier. Produced across two similar yet unique Z31 and Z32 generations, the Nissan 300ZX was a sensation that set the stage for world-class rear-wheel-drive Japanese performance cars.

The more desirable Z32 restored the legendary Z-car sports car status, utilizing the Porsche 944 and Chevy Corvette as benchmarks for the resurgence. Depending on who you ask, the 300ZX is still one of Nissan's most loved Z sports cars. Unfortunately, this classic is a rare gem at auction blocks today, meaning it's getting even harder to see in public.

3/10Mazda RX-7 (FD)

The RX-7 changed the game through its unconventional twin-turbocharged rotary engine, lightweight construction, impeccable handling, and relative affordability compared to other up-market sports cars. Although Mazda built the RX-7 over three generations, the last chapter was arguably the best since it transformed from a Japanese GT to a no-compromise sports car.

In addition, the RX-7's iconic influence on pop culture is hard to underplay, with several notable appearances in the Fast and Furious film franchise and the Need for Speed video game series. The RX-7 FD's stunningly fluid design language makes it as timelessly modern as it did at its debut, but the complicated durability of the rotary motor contributes to the limited numbers that survive today.

2/10Honda S2000

The Honda S2000 was Japan's version of the Porsche Boxster or BMW M Roadster, developed with a more sophisticated front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout than its Mazda MX-5 Miata rival. The S2000 honed Honda's world-beating engineering across the AP1 and AP2 generations, not forgetting the higher-spec S2000 Club Racer.

The humble S2000 also joined an exclusive group comprising primarily of supercars thanks to its class-leading naturally-aspirated VTEC inline-four engine, capable of a stratospheric 9,000rpm redline. The S2000 deservedly transitioned into a bona fide modern classic in recent years, and it's just a shame that its population is quickly thinning out.

1/10Toyota Supra A80

The iconic Supra, undoubtedly Toyota's most famous sports car nameplate, spawned initially from the Celica coupe to challenge the Nissan Z-Cars that ruled the 1980s and 90s. Besides marking the peak for the Supra model, the fourth-generation (A80) model propelled the 2JZ-GTE engine to legendary status and helped define the Golden Age of Japanese cars.

Even more impressive, the Supra A80 left an indelible mark in motorsport, pop culture, and the tuner community. Unfortunately, Toyota put the Supra A80 to pasture in 2002 following declining sales of sports coupes, and the increasing rarity since then has seen its value skyrocket to astronomical figures.

Author..... Simon KIM. Click to read original article.

Double warning for South Africans driving the N3 this weekend

 

The N3 highway going into Durban is currently closed due to a chemical spillage.

Plastic containers holding chemicals of an “acid nature” on the back of a large truck fell over near the EB Cloete Interchange, also known as Spaghetti Junction, posing a health threat to motorists in the vicinity.

Citizens are therefore advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes until further notice.

Local authorities are on the scene for assistance and further investigations.

More traffic expected

The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) Company has warned motorists planning to make the trek between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) this Father’s Day long weekend using the N3 freeway that they should expect heightened levels of traffic.

Southbound traffic towards Durban is anticipated to gradually increase from midday Friday, 14 June, with busy conditions expected between 14h00 and 18h00, which are expected to continue on Saturday morning until about noon.

Northbound traffic towards Gauteng is likely to increase on Monday, 17 June, but since it is also the winter school holiday until 8 July 2024, traffic volumes are not expected to be extraordinarily high.

In an attempt to ensure the safety, convenience, and mobility of all road users, N3TC’s toll plazas will be operating at maximum capacity on peak traffic days.

Additionally, the N3TC Route Services teams will be fully deployed on the road to provide incident management services and support citizens in distress.

Road users should also expect strict law enforcement and road safety checkpoints over the entire weekend, where vehicle roadworthy checks, public transport compliance, random alcohol and drug screening tests, and pedestrian safety checks may be conducted.

“N3TC advises road users to always be prepared for any eventuality. Pay attention to changing road and weather conditions, and heed warnings,” said the entity.

“Drivers are reminded to always adapt their driving style to the prevailing conditions. Keep extra blankets, warm clothes, emergency medication, sufficient water, food and refreshments, a torch, and mobile phone chargers in your vehicle.”

Article Source....TopAuto.

Cars that will no longer be sold in South Africa after 2024

 There are at least 10 cars in South Africa that will no longer be available by the time 2024 comes to an end.

The country has already gotten several new vehicles this year with plenty more still on the way, but there are a handful of models that have already been pulled from showrooms with more scheduled to disappear in the coming months.

Earlier this June, it was confirmed that the Nissan Qashqai is being discontinued after 17 years on our market, likely as a result of low sales.

Similarly, the Mazda BT-50 was scrapped as it failed to take off in South Africa’s fiercely competitive bakkie segment which is currently dominated by Toyota, Ford, and Isuzu.

The BT-50 wasn’t the only double cab struggling to find a customer base, however, as VW has ditched the entry-level 110kW powertrain for the Amarok, resulting in a substantial increase to the base price of the vehicle.

There is one exception to this trend, though, as Nissan made the decision to retire the locally made NP200 compact bakkie despite its immense popularity with South African buyers – citing the workhorse’s ageing design as a key factor for the shutdown.

Another big loss is the Suzuki Vitara, which the automaker pulled on the grounds that its SUV line-up is well covered by newer models like the Fronx and Grand Vitara.

Other entries that have been cancelled in South Africa so far this year include the Honda WR-V, which was replaced by the new Elevate; and the Kia Rio, which is no longer being made for right-hand-drive markets.

Additionally, the Citroen C3 has quietly been dropped from storefronts owing to a major overhaul of the carmaker’s line-up.

Stellantis, Citroen’s parent company, is repositioning the brand as an entry-level option in South Africa with the goal of all its cars costing under R400,000.

As a result, the manufacturer’s existing catalogue is being replaced with much more affordable units, though Citroen is using the same names for each of these models to keep things simple.

Consequently, the old C3 hatchback has been replaced by a R200,000 crossover with the same badge, and the same strategy is planned for the C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross.

Since the new C3 Aircross is expected to arrive before the end of this year, this means the existing model (priced at R438,500) will inevitably be replaced.

Finally, there’s the Mitsubishi ASX, which is potentially on the chopping block this year to make way for the new Xforce, though this is still to be confirmed.

Article Source ..... TopAuto

Japanese cars tops in SA for affordability, easy maintenance

 

Japanese-made cars dominate the top five positions on the new Car Maintenance Index 2018, released by market research group New World Wealth.

The report suggests that, based on the affordability of maintaining vehicles over the long-term, the top five "best" car brands to own in SA - in no particular order - are Toyota; Honda; Opel; Nissan and Mazda.

The research found that, if one looks at the number of cars of 25 years and older on SA's roads, Toyota dominates.

Furthermore, a large number of Cressidas, Conquests and Corollas from the 1970s and 1980s are still found on SA roads.

The index report concludes that this suggests these cars are relatively easy to maintain and cheap to repair. It also suggests that they give relatively few problems over the long term.

Around 500 000 new cars are sold in SA each year, generating revenue of around R150bn a year.

How it was done

For the research, over 30 car brands were considered, including all major car brands available in SA.

Criteria used included the availability and affordability of spare parts for the vehicle; the affordability of services after the motor plan had ended; and the reliability of the car after the motor plan had ended. Special focus was placed on the number of major engine and gearbox problems that a vehicle experiences over time.

The research also looked at the ability of dealerships to handle large repair jobs and the affordability of such repairs. Lastly, it looked at the affordability of insurance premiums, relative to the price of the vehicle.

The sources used included interviews with independent second-hand car dealers; interviews with independent auto mechanics; and interviews with "roadworthy vehicle inspection" providers.

Furthermore, vehicles of 25 years and older still on SA's roads and still in good working order were tracked. Lastly, online complaints and compliments were tracked.

Car insurance

The index research included a look at car insurance in SA.

In rating the top car insurers in SA for 2018, criteria included the affordability of premiums; the level of customer service; the speed of pay-out; the ease of the pay-out process; and roadside assistance and towing.

The index suggests the top five car insurers in SA for 2018 - in no particular order - are Discovery; Hollard; Auto & General; Outsurance; and King Price.

Sources included interviews with financial intermediaries (independent brokers and advisors); interviews with tow truck drivers; and the tracking of complaints and compliments online.

The research found that car insurance premiums normally range from R400 to R600 per month for a car worth R200 000. The SA car insurance industry generates revenue of around R20bn per year in SA.

Only around 4 million (35%) of the 12 million registered cars in SA are insured.

Over 20 local car insurers were included in the study, including the main players.

Article Source

This Is Why The Toyota Corolla Is The World's Best-Selling Car Of All Time

 Let’s check out the Toyota Corolla’s winning formula that earned it a place at the top of the global sales chart.

Original Post by Eugenia Akhim

Companies are constantly vying for accolades and titles because they offer free, positive PR and recognition for their efforts. There are currently so many accolades, including "most environmentally friendly company," "best employer," "best R&D company," "best product," and "top exporter," that customers aren't even sure on what to focus. However, the title of best-selling product is one that every firm aspires to, regardless of industry. This award validates the worth of your company's work, your product, and your efforts, while also showing your ability to dominate a global market. A global best-selling product also brings in shocking amounts of money and increases the company's profitability for shareholders and investors.

The Ford Model T was the global bestseller in the automotive industry for a long period. According to historians, 90 percent of automobiles on earth in 1914 were Fords. However, since then, new firms have created innovative vehicles. So, in a market where we have cutting-edge companies like Tesla, hypercar manufacturers like Zenvo, and established global players like Volkswagen Group, which is the world’s best-selling automobile?

The answer, surprisingly, is the Toyota Corolla. The Japanese subcompact car has dominated the world for decades, spurring copycats and creating rivalries along the way. So, how did the Corolla become the world’s bestselling automobile of all time?

Positive Consumer Perception And Powerful Brand Awareness

For years, Toyota has dominated in brand perception, with American buyers associating the car with high quality, affordability, and comfort. Customers appreciate the Corolla because it is a stylish, safe, and reliable vehicle despite its low price point. Usually, automobiles that are more affordable often cut corners when it comes to design and styling, but Toyota didn’t follow this path for the Corolla. The Japanese company periodically upgraded the interior as well as the technology and safety measures. This way, the car gained a following among young families and acquired the reputation of a family-friendly vehicle. According to a Consumer Reports ranking based on owner satisfaction surveys, Toyota gets 5 points out of 5 for style. Elsewhere, the result of Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch survey highlighted that in the fourth quarter of 2021, 32 percent of American consumers considered buying a Toyota.

Toyota Corolla Is Affordable

If there’s one thing in the world that everyone can agree on, it’s that the Corolla is affordable. Both the sedan and hatchback provide extraordinary adaptability at a low price point. The 2022 Toyota Corolla had a starting MSRP of $20,425, while the hybrid had a starting MSRP of $24,050. Just to put things into perspective, the 2022 Subaru Legacy had a starting MSRP of $23,495, and the 2022 Toyota Camry started at $25,845.

To be fair, the standard Camry still outperforms the standard Corolla in terms of fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the Camry has a more potent engine and offers more storage capacity and back legroom.

Toyota Corolla Provides Good Fuel Economy.

Customers do rave about the Corolla’s fuel economy. This vehicle has a long history of excellent gas mileage. For example, the 2022 Corolla L and LE have a city MPG of 30 and a highway MPG of 38. Meanwhile, the 2022 Toyota Corolla XLE has a city MPG of 29 and a highway MPG of 37, while the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE has a city MPG of 53 and a highway MPG of 52. It is not surprising that consumers still adore the Toyota Corolla after all these years, given how costly gas has become. In particular, commuters who are still uninterested in fully electric automobiles might find this vehicle as an interesting option.

Toyota Corolla Has The Best Build Quality.

Modern consumers are more concerned with build quality as car prices continue to rise and auto parts cost more and more each month. To be sure, buyers have always been concerned about car reliability, but since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this fixation has intensified. Luckily, Toyota understands consumers’ concerns and knows how to deliver on quality. The Corolla has topped reliability statistics for years, being considered by consumers a very dependable car. Repair Pal, for example, gives the Corolla a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, while mentioning that the average annual repair cost is $362. The website ranks the Toyota Corolla first out of 36 compact cars. Meanwhile, J.D. Power gives the 2022 Toyota Corolla a score of 85 out of 100 for quality and reliability, and it ranks the vehicle 4th in the category of “Best Compact Car of 2022.” J.D. Power mentions some issues encountered by owners of the 2022 Toyota Corolla during the first 90 days of ownership, but they don’t seem too noteworthy, such as problems with the voice assistance experience in the car.

Used 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser Selling For Double The Retail Price In Japan

 

The prices in the used-car market in Japan are currently soaring rapidly due to the ongoing global chip shortage in the market Used cars in Japan are currently enjoying a strong demand due to the ongoing chip shortage across the globe. The effect of this strong demand can be directly seen in the retail prices of used cars. A recent report shared by Nikkei Asia shared that the price of a used 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser ZX in Japan is more than double the suggested retail price of a

new Land Cruiser. Here is everything you need to know about this new and strong trend in Japan’s used car market. For starters, the average price of a standard used 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser ZX is around 17.05 million yen (INR 97.15 lakh) in late July in Japan.

Except for the Toyota Land Cruiser, other cars like the Toyota Alphard minivan and the Corolla Cross also have a strong demand in the market and the prices of such cars have also gone higher than their suggested retail prices.


The production of the new cars has suffered heavily due to the global chip shortage and Toyota alone has approximately 1 million pending orders in Japan. The Toyota Land Cruiser currently has a waiting period of almost four years while many other SUVs have a waiting period of over 1 year. The Japanese carmaker also suspended many orders of the Land Cruiser, Alphard, and Harrier models in Japan.


Other Toyota cars like the Harrier are also gaining popularity in overseas markets and are currently being auctioned by used car dealers to other dealers in other markets. Increased domestic demand and higher demand for exports have contributed significantly to the rising prices of these used SUVs in Japan.

Toyota India will also be launching the new Land Cruiser LC300 in India in the next few weeks. The bookings of the LC300 recently commenced in the country at Rs 10 lakh. The new LC300 will be offered with a 5-seater cabin and will be powered by a 3.3L diesel engine that comes mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The price of the new Land Cruiser LC300 is yet to be announced in India.

This article was sourced from ... https://gaadiwaadi.com/used-2022-toyota-land-cruiser-selling-for-double-the-retail-price-in-japan/

The Pandemic and The Shortage Of Shipping Containers.

Global Shortage of Shipping Containers.

The global shortage of Shipping Containers has hit hard many companies the World Over. The Importation and Exportation of Used Japanese vehicles has been heavly affected with many Durban Dealerships if not all, are running low on Stock and some are on the verge of closure.

The article below by Frankie Youd tries to explain why there is this massive shortage of containers.

Global shipping container shortage: the story so far

The global shortage of shipping containers, primarily caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to drastic inflation in shipping and container prices and increased delay times for companies. We ask why shipping is facing this container shortage and investigate the global impact.

By Frankie Youd

The global shortage of shipping containers has led to drastic inflation in shipping and container prices and increased delay times for companies. Credit: violetta.

Freight shipping has found itself in a unique situation where unforeseen events have left a global shortage of containers, which has had a domino effect down the supply chain, disrupting global trade. 

Early last year, when the Covid-19 pandemic began to spread, many countries began implementing national lockdowns and ceasing the production of goods, which ultimately pulled the plug on economic growth. 

Shipping companies began reducing the number of cargo ships that were being sent out. This not only stopped the usual flow of imported and exported goods, but also saw empty containers not being collected. 

The most significant example of this can be seen in the American regions, where Asian containers could not be sent back due to Covid-19 restrictions. 

As countries started to grapple with Covid-19 to recover, China – the first country to be impacted by the disease – began to recover. Ultimately, this meant China was able to resume its import and export trade while other countries were unable to do so. 

 

Why is the industry facing this shortage?

So where have the containers vanished to? A significant number of containers have found themselves in inland depots while others have been stacking up at cargo ports. 

As Asia slowly began to recover, other countries were still faced with national lockdown restrictions meaning containers could not be sent back to Asia (where they were really needed) to continue the trade partnership. The pairing of lockdown regulations alongside other factors, such as a staff deficit, meant a backlog of containers began to develop. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a shift in customer spending away from services to goods due to restrictions imposed by national lockdowns. This resulted in the issue of container shortage becoming even more prominent as desirability increased, with many companies being unable to secure containers.

Asides from the impacts of Covid-19 disturbing the usual flow of trade and container availability, another major factor was the Chinese New Year. Celebrated on 12 February, the holiday played a part more than ever this year when it comes to container shortage. 

Generally, at this time of year, the industry can expect to see an increase in container tariffs and a slowdown of Chinese production due to most of the population being on holiday. This year, the impact was greatly magnified due to the ongoing container shortage which was prominent prior to the start of this year’s celebrations. 

 

Global industry giants thrown off balance

Many industry shipping giants, such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, have been hit hard by the global container shortage, which has resulted in them adapting their methods and facing shipping setbacks.

Hapag-Lloyd has increased container refilling and emptying times to 25% faster than usual to ensure optimal container use. Hapag-Lloyd has thought outside the box when it comes to adapting their containers for alternative uses. 

Turning the reefer containers off allows dry goods such as shoes, electronics, or textiles to be sent to reefer demand locations. Once there, they can be emptied and switched back on to continue their journey. 

Alongside these methods, Hapag-Lloyd has considered reusing older containers to cope with the increasing demand, as the company’s senior director of corporate communication Nils Haupt explains. 

 “We are desperately looking for more capacity,” he says. “We are asking our customers to return empty containers earlier. We looked at containers that are currently in repair or ones which are meant to be sold because they have reached a certain age. 

“This is something we are not doing right now [because] we would rather use those containers we have a bit longer, but it something we have looked into.” 

 

Credit: Hapag-Lloyd.

With the situation being unprecedented and ever shifting,  Haupt stresses the importance of close industry collaboration to prevent situations like this from occurring again. 

“We think [that] we need a closer cooperation between customers, shipping lines and port terminals.”

“The shipping industry is very volatile,” he adds. “We think [that] we need a closer cooperation between customers, shipping lines and port terminals so we can be better prepared for situations like this in the future.”

 

Impact of container shortage on the UK

In the UK, companies such as Hexstone have been impacted when it comes to shipping goods and receiving product from the Far East. 

Ian Doherty, CEO of Hexstone Group, and vice-chairman of the British and Irish Association of Fastener Distributors, speaks about Hexstone having a stock of product – normally holding between four or five months worth in the UK – to minimise the disruption that issues like this can cause. However, the company has still been affected. 

“We have goods that we are unable to ship because we haven’t been able to get containers,” says Doherty. “We’ve had delays of anything up to six to eight weeks where we’ve had product ready to go but unable to get to the Far East. 

“I don’t think we’ve had a single boat dock on time.”

“It’s a real impact. I don’t think we’ve had a single boat dock on time. We are constantly having containers put back.”

Aside from the container shortage, importers in the UK and Ireland are facing additional charges and longer wait times. 

Continuous delays at ports such as Felixstowe – the UK’s busiest container port, which deals with 48% of Britain’s containerised trade – has resulted in a backlog of product waiting to be delivered, which increases the time the container takes to move on to its next destination. 

Congestion at the port has been going on for several months, which has led certain cargo ships to drop containers at Northern European ports to avoid delays. This typically adds a further two weeks to lead times, adding further pressure on container availability. 

Shipping costs have also inflated due to the port delays. “The congestion at Felixstowe is affecting shipping costs because shipping lines are adding congestion charges coming to UK ports,” adds Doherty. “Congestion of the ports has been a big issue for us.” 

 

What does the future hold?

With no one in the industry having a crystal ball to predict the future for this issue, methods have been put in place to assist companies globally, such as the creation of a new booking system. 

Alibaba Group’s Cainiao has launched its own container booking service, which can be used for air and sea freight in response to the global shortage of containers. This service will span more than 200 ports in 50 countries and aims to reduce the backlog of empty containers. 

Maersk, the largest container shipping line and vessel operator in the world, has been significantly affected by the container shortage but believes that the current situation will soon improve.

Lars Mikael Jensen, head of network and market east-west at Maersk, says: “It is expected that the situation will improve, bottlenecks are expected to be relieved, buying patterns likely to normalise, as well as additional vessels and containers entering the market in 2021, means that the current vessel and container shortage is temporary in nature. 

“Moving forward, transparency in rule-making globally is key for all market players to support global trade.”

“Moving forward, transparency in rule-making globally is key for all market players to support global trade.”

The global shortage and impacts of Covid-19 have left the industry in uncertain waters. However, container availability is gradually increasing while congestion is reducing in certain bottlenecks. As the year progresses, the industry hopes to see improvement on the horizon. 

The original article can found here.