The ongoing ILA strike at US east and Gulf coast ports has led to significant disruptions, with container terminals closing and vessels being rerouted or delayed, resulting in congested anchorages, particularly in Savannah and New York. Trucking capacity is under pressure as shippers re-route cargo inland, leading to potential increases in drayage and ocean rates due to supply shortages. In Russia, a trade imbalance with China has caused a surplus of empty containers and delayed trains, prompting freight forwarders to buy new containers, which has driven prices up by $400. The global container ship fleet has experienced fluctuating growth, with a recovery in 2021 after pandemic-related disruptions and an expected moderate growth of 1.7% in 2023 amid regulatory challenges. BIMCO forecasts that ship demand will grow three times faster than cargo volumes in 2024 due to rerouted shipping routes, although a potential downturn in demand is anticipated later in the year. Overall, the container shipping industry is facing a complex interplay of supply chain disruptions, fluctuating demand, and rising operational costs.