“The return of the empty containers have helped alleviate the shortage problem Thai exporters have been facing due to lockdown measures in some countries in this Covid-19 situation. This prevented cargo ships from returning with empty containers,” he said.
In December last year the government courtesy of the Commerce Ministry ordered the Marine Department to amend docking regulations, allowing cargo ships 300-400 metres long to dock in Thailand for up to two years to attract ship operators so their vessels could return empty containers.
“Since then seven cargo ships of less than 400 metres have docked at Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi, returning over 23,000 empty containers to Thai exporters,” Phot said.
“We would like to thank the government, especially Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit who helped coordinate with foreign countries to solve the container shortage problem in time so the export sector could help contribute to the nation’s economic growth during this time of crisis,” he added.