Source: Population and GDP from World Bank, World Development Indicators. Exports from World Trade Organization. Container port throughput compiled from UNCTAD.
Containerization has been the most dynamic physical component of globalization, far outpacing the growth of exports and GDP in value. As globalization developed from the 1970s, each new individual, GDP, or export unit was associated with a higher level of container flows. Between 1980 and 2024, global container throughput increased by a factor of 22 times, while exports and GDP increased by a factor of 11.9 and 9.7 times, respectively. Until 1980, the growth in container port throughput was in line with the growth in export value; however, a divergence was noted thereafter. Containerization entered the acceleration phase of its diffusion cycle, serving as the fundamental support for export-oriented strategies mainly pursued by Asian economies.
Therefore, an array of growth factors is at play to explain the substantial growth of containerization, and more interestingly, the contribution of these factors varies over time. While additional traffic resulting from organic growth is the most significant factor, imbalanced trade flows (empty containers) and the configuration of shipping networks that rely on transshipment hubs (double counting) have also contributed to increased containerized flows and port handlings. As economies of scale are applied to maritime shipping, transshipment becomes more salient. The number of transshipped containers increased from around 11% of all cargo handled by container ports in 1980 to about 30% in 2015, which is also a notable factor in the growth of containerized traffic.