Slow is Good

Containerization has been one of the key drivers of globalization, making shipping of even low value items cost effective from all corners of the globe but especially from Asia. Speed used to be important in shipping containers, but Maersk, a major operator, has started to halve the top speed of some of its container ships. The result has been a 30% reduction in energy consumption, and a 30% reduction in carbon emissions as well. Expect to see more companies slow down their ships -- after all, Wal-Mart and Best Buy can always wait an extra week to receive their cheap Asian imported goods.

Container Shipping Companies are in Trouble

Globalization of markets and globalization of production means that producers from all over the world can sell goods to customers from all over the world. Part of what made this possible was the containerization that took place in the 1960's along with the development of supertankers to ship those containers. Now, the industry is in serious trouble. The 20 or so major carriers, all Asian or European, lost $20 billion in 2009. Analysts don't see a recovery until 2012 at the earliest.

More Ships Than There Are Containers to Fill Them - NYTimes.com