The state-owned Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE) is to spend 19 million dollars to procure 2,958 containers, up by two million dollars from a similar acquisition it undertook earlier this year.

A global shipping disruption led to a drastic surge in the cost of containers and rising prices of commodities across the world. The cost of transporting a 40ft container from China to the United States has escalated from less than 5,000 dollars in August 2020 to over 17,000 dollars a year later this month.

The global shortage of containers began at the end of last year, caused by a slump in production by manufacturers in China, which account for over 90pc of the market share. The companies cut production after experiencing a surplus earlier in March 2020, when an equivalent of more than three million empty 20-foot containers was awaiting buyers at Chinese ports, and another 1.2 million sat in storage.

Despite the shortfall, the Enterprises's call for the supply of 1,101 40ft and 1,857 20ft containers had attracted the attention of 19 bidders. However, only six participated, and four made it to the financial evaluation, including Guangdong Pi Power Co. Ltd,  CCCC Tianjin, and CXIC Group Container Co. Ltd,. The Emirati Almeriyan International FZE was the only non-Chinese bidder shortlisted.

CCCC Tianjin won after offering the lowest bid of 4,500 dollars apiece for 20ft containers and 7,500 dollars for the 40ft variety. It is expected to deliver the containers within 60 days following the signing of the agreement. Its parent company, the China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), has been the main contractor for the passenger terminal upgrading project of Addis Abeba Bole International Airport and the Adama Expressway road.

Established in 1994, CXIC is among the pioneer manufacturing companies in China, with an annual production of 250,000 containers. It won the first bid after offering 17 million dollars to supply 3,000 shipping containers and handed over the boxes to the Enterprise's agents in Chinese ports this month. It received a payment of 3,800 dollars for a 20ft container and 6,800 dollars for 40ft.

The offer made by CCCC Tianjin is 15pc higher than what the Enterprise agreed to pay CXIC while procuring 3,000 containers two months ago.

"The price is higher due to changes in the global market," said Wondimu Denbu, deputy CEO for corporate services of the Enterprise.