Container shortages at Asian ports are now so severe that carriers with premium trans-Pacific services are sometimes unable to guarantee that equipment will be available at the Asian load ports they serve. The result is that some vessels are leaving Asia without full loads because there is not enough equipment available. Several carriers have been offering premium services during the surge in volumes, which guarantee customers equipment and priority loading at Asian ports, shorter transit times, and priority discharge at the US port for premium freight rates. But the inability of carriers to guarantee equipment negates the purpose of the premium service.
