Shanghai International Port, mainland China’s largest port operator by volume, has introduced a system whereby its largest clients are able to store their empty container boxes at its ports with virtually no charges in a bid to maintain the appearance of keeping container volume high.
In this environment, the empty-container plan is said to allow Shanghai-listed SIPG (Shanghai International Port Group) to “inflate” its container throughput volume, which measures container volume handled rather than cargo loaded and unloaded, and cultivate goodwill with ailing clients.