"Most shipping companies plan their disposition of empty boxes about three to four weeks in advance. Direct shipping of empties from China is rare and has not been necessary recently," said the HHM press release.

"Generally, they take advantage of markets with an oversupply, such as the USA, Great Britain, and Israel, as the source for empty containers in Hamburg or other northern European ports," it said.

Said HHM chief executive Axel Mattern: "With the recovery of the Chinese economy, which is already making itself noticeable, shipping, cargo handling, and seaport-hinterland transport in China will be heading back toward normal operations. In view of a slowing economy in Europe, we do not expect to see shortages in the supply of empty containers in Hamburg or the hinterland."

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