What if container shipping never existed?

Imagine life without the goods brought in from overseas in large metal containers. That's what the Container Shipping Information Service is asking U.S. consumers to stop and think today as part of National Maritime Day.

CSIS, established in January by the world's largest 24 container lines to promote the industry to a wider audience, said more than $5.5 billion worth of everyday items ranging from door handles to television sets move in and out of U.S. ports each day. 

The industry is relatively unknown and most people rarely give it a second thought, said Ron Widdows, chief executive officer of APL, a CSIS member line. Yet, as a result of container shipping, consumers can enjoy a huge range of products from around the world and at prices that would scarcely have been conceivable in earlier times.

Source: American Shipper