The volume of empty seaborne containers handled in the UK saw fluctuations over the years, peaking in 2017 at 3.06 million TEUs and experiencing a significant dip in 2020 at 1.72 million TEUs due to external factors. By 2023, it reached 3.24 million TEUs, marking a steady increase. The year-on-year variations showed a notable recovery post-2020 with a 72.9% increase in 2021, but this growth has moderated to around 1.79% in 2023. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years stands at 2.71%. The forecasted data predicts a slower but consistent growth with a forecasted 5-year CAGR of 1.39%, reaching 3.53 million TEUs by 2028.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Sustainability practices and green shipping initiatives that might impact container flows.
- Global trade dynamics and economic factors affecting seaborne container movement.
- Technological advancements and automation in port handling and logistics.
- Potential impacts of geopolitical events and policy changes on trade routes.
