The aftermath of the first wave of the coronavirus created the perfect conditions for troubled waters in ocean container shipping, especially to North America. As global production of non-essential items ground to a halt, shipping capacity was cut.

However, demand rebounded as lockdowns were eased, even depleting stocks while production scrambled to keep up, clogging shipping containers with goods and materials. By then, stores started stocking up for the usual holiday season, which tends to cause a peak season in normal years.

This peak season usually dies down by the middle of October, following factories closing in China for its Golden Week holiday period. However, with recovery in consumer demand, increases in manufacturing, and North America and Europe ramping back up at the same time, the congestion and high rates have persisted into November. Supply chain news outlet, The Loadstar, reported that Asia-North Europe carriers were charging up to $5,000 per 40ft container (FEU), while ports around the world are still reporting congestion and the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index is at an all-time high.