Coffee Peak Season: How Does the Shortage of Empty Containers Affect Export Schedules?

Vietnam’s coffee industry regularly enters peak export periods, when shipment volumes surge and demand for containerized transport increases significantly. In this context, the shortage of empty containers has become one of the key factors directly impacting export schedules and overall logistics efficiency for many exporters.

Empty container shortage – a critical bottleneck in the logistics chain

Empty containers are a prerequisite for cargo stuffing and export operations. When container availability cannot meet demand, exporters are often forced to:

• Wait for empty containers to be repositioned from other areas

• Pick up containers outside the designated route or depot

• Adjust or delay stuffing plans and vessel schedules

Even a short-term shortage of empty containers can disrupt the entire downstream logistics chain, increasing the risk of missing cut-off times, booking rollovers, and unplanned costs.

Direct impact on export schedules and logistics costs

During peak coffee export periods, insufficient empty containers typically result in:

• Longer waiting times for container allocation, delaying stuffing operations

• 10–15% increases in logistics costs due to container repositioning, off-route charges, and higher inland transportation expenses

• Higher risks of shipment delays, negatively affecting service reliability and relationships with international buyers

For the coffee sector—where profit margins are relatively tight—these additional costs can significantly erode overall profitability.

Solution: Proactive empty container planning to secure export timelines

To mitigate the impact of empty container shortages, exporters should:

• Proactively select depots located close to production areas and stuffing warehouses

• Prioritize depots with flexible and efficient port connectivity

• Align logistics planning with export cycles and cargo volume forecasts

Ensuring timely access to empty containers enables exporters to maintain shipment schedules, control logistics costs, and enhance competitiveness in global markets.

Conclusion

The shortage of empty containers during peak coffee export periods is not merely an operational issue—it has a direct impact on export performance and profitability. As shipment pressures increase, optimizing logistics starting from empty container sourcing becomes a critical success factor for sustainable and efficient coffee exports.