There has always been an imbalance in trade to the US. Ships carrying a large amount of empties is not rare. Not unusual to see ships cubed out but light draft headed back to Far East
Very timely together with this article in gcaptain newsletter today:
https://gcaptain.com/opinion-trans-pacific-beneficial-cargo-owners-deserve-18000-teu-container-vessels/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gcaptain+(gCaptain.com)&goal=0_f50174ef03-43722a7a06-169863069&mc_cid=43722a7a06&mc_eid=4674ba0fbe