The year 2020 has been tough for most, if not all, business sectors. Shippers are closing the year with lots of freight in the warehouses. Therefore, come 2021, they will have a busy year trying to move the containers. Initially, shippers had the luxury to store containers and distribute them when conditions were favorable hence less pressure on carrier capacity. Seemingly, through to 2021, factors like driver recruitment issues and pressure on capacity will keep the market even tighter.  

China and other Asian countries dominate maritime imports. For instance, U.S. imported 713,000 shipments from China and 109,000 from South Korea. Therefore, the U.S must maintain a good relationship with China to serve the economy and the transportation and logistics providers.

Mosttruckers had hoped for a fruitful 2020 as far as business was concerned. Theymade plenty of orders getting lots of shipments. The pandemic made the truckershave a lot in the warehouse since the containers did not move as expected.There also was a higher rejection rate making it even harder for them. The bigorders resulted from the fear of having trouble with the sourcing of the goods.

The boom in the electronics, furniture, and appliances

Despite some sectors suffering, the electronics, furniture, and appliances did well on the market. The boom in these sectors is entirely attributed to the fact that most people spent more time at home. Demand for such commodities hit beyond normal levels. Most people moved out of cities to settle in their homes. The move meant that the housing sector would grow rapidly through the pandemic.

With mortgage rates being meager, most people decided to purchase their own homes. After purchases, people went for furniture and other appliances bolstering the housing sector. Building materials and garden equipment sales were also high. Other winners through the pandemic were the businesses that operate on e-commerce platforms. Online sales and purchases were so high since people stayed indoors.

Shipping companies will continue making orders to get their shipments in time due to China's tensions that would affect maritime imports. Due to the pandemic's effects, the market will stall a bit in the first half of 2021, and when the Covid-19 vaccines roll out to the masses, things will be better. When people eventually start spending more on services and travel in the second half, the market will be better. Though, generally, most carriers will have a lot of freight from 2020 to move in 2021.