The International Tank Container Organization (ITCO) published its Third Annual Tank Container Fleet Survey, and data shows solid worldwide fleet expansion over the past year.
Based on detailed research of tank container operators, leasing companies, and other owners, the survey provides a qualified estimate that there are some 444,220 tank containers presently in operation worldwide. This January 2015 figure represents an increase of 12.6% compared to January 2014. A total of 48,200 tank containers were manufactured in 2014 (up from 42,600 in 2013, and 39,700 in the previous year).
Compiled with the support of ITCO members and based on data provided by tank container owning companies, the ITCO survey gives details of 194 operators of tank containers worldwide. While the operator figure of 305,700 units is, numerically, dominated by a number of major global tank container operators (representing some 36% of the total fleet), the survey reveals the continuing trend of an increasing number of regional operators established in recent years.
A total of 33 leasing companies, with a fleet size of 195,000 units, are listed in the Survey. The five largest lessors account for around 66% of the estimated global leased fleet. However, as the majority of these tanks are leased to operators or direct to cargo shippers, leasing company tanks (with the exception of units not currently in operation) are not included in the global fleet total.
Growth in the tank container industry is reflected by the number of new containers built. The ITCO Survey gives details of 18 tank container manufacturers, which produced a record number of over 48,200 new tank containers in 2014, with an estimated value of US$960 million. This compares with 2013 which saw an increase of 12% over 2012, a year that also had a record increase in production.
The ITCO Fleet Survey is published annually, with periodic updates. ITCO welcomes companies to contribute to the on-going reports by providing fleet totals, comments, and recommendations on all aspects of the Survey--including fleet estimate methodology.
The complete Survey, giving details of the size, ownership, and growth of the world’s tank container fleet, can be downloaded from the ITCO website http://www.itco.org.