Looming global container shortage a threat to NZ trade

Mon, 16 Nov 2020

Consumers and businesses will be facing shortages over Christmas after major shipping lines halted new bookings from Asia on record global demand and the impacts of ongoing disruption at trans-Tasman ports.With demand for shipping space at all-time highs in some cases, and as much as 25 percent up on the same period last year, congestion has become a major theme at most global ports. That is being exacerbated by rolling industrial action at Australian entry points like Sydney and by loading delays at Ports of Auckland.That has spilled over into...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On the Money: Du Val, Kathmandu, Fonterra, and more

A Du Val comedy, dairy politics, and a copied signature.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Technology Review

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

When I first got Samsung’s original Galaxy Z Fold, it felt like a momentous occasion.

Peter Griffin 5:00am

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Slimmer and sharper

Opinion

Simon Robertson: On asset allocation

Why I only own US stocks.

Simon Robertson 5:00am

Sponsored

Why New Zealand organisations need to rethink their cloud strategy

New Zealand organisations have embraced cloud computing over the past decade, but many are now confronting a sobering reality: adoption alone isn’t enough. According to Datacom’s 2025 Cloud & Infrastructure Report, only half of New Zealand businesses say they’ve realised the benefits they expected from cloud – despite significant investment.

Datacom

Sponsored

In a complex world, Kiwi investors can take comfort in mega forces

Enduring international forces bring clarity to uncertain times.

Blackrock

More Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Aratere sold for scrap, price deemed commercially sensitive

The Aratere ferry has been sold to a specialist recycling shipyard in India for an undisclosed amount.“Details of the sale price are commercially sensitive,” Duncan Roy, executive general manager of Interislander, said. The ferry was retired last August to make way for the port...

Rebecca Howard 10 Oct 2025