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 intensified from the 1970s, each additional individual, GDP, or export unit was associated with higher 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, container port throughput grew in line with export value; however, a divergence was observed 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, a range of growth factors is at play in explaining the substantial growth of containerization, and, more interestingly, their contributions vary 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 share of transshipped containers increased from approximately 11% of all cargo handled by container ports in 1980 to approximately 30% in 2015, a notable factor in the growth of containerized traffic.