Shipping Containers Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 10.27 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 12.77 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 4.46% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Shipping Containers Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Shipping Containers Market size is estimated at USD 10.27 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 12.77 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.46% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
E-commerce fulfillment, pharmaceutical cold-chain expansion, and rising intermodal efficiency provide stable, structural demand. Containerization’s role in handling 90% of global trade underpins this growth, while digital tracking tools and smarter designs help operators shorten port stays and boost asset turnover. Sustainability targets are pushing material innovation toward lighter composites, and alliance restructuring among carriers is reshaping capacity deployment strategies in favor of larger, technology-enabled fleets. Geopolitical disruptions add short-term volatility but also reinforce the importance of diversified trade lanes and dynamic routing.
Key Report Takeaways
- By size, 40-ft containers captured 52.64% of shipping container market share in 2024; 40-ft High-Cube units are projected to expand at a 5.61% CAGR through 2030.
- By container type, dry storage held 72.75% of the shipping container market size in 2024, whereas refrigerated boxes are advancing at a 6.42% CAGR to 2030.
- By material, Corten steel accounted for 87.10% share of the shipping container market size in 2024, while FRP & composites record the highest 7.84% CAGR.
- By end-use, consumer goods & retail dominated with 39.87% shipping containers market share in 2024; pharmaceuticals & healthcare is growing fastest at an 8.25% CAGR.
- By mode of transport, maritime deep-sea operations controlled 80.67% of 2024 shipping containers market revenue, yet rail intermodal exhibits a 5.36% CAGR to 2030.
Global Shipping Containers Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explosive growth of cross-border e-commerce | +0.8% | Global, North America & APAC | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Worldwide cold-chain penetration | +0.6% | Global, North America & Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| D2C brands using bespoke containers | +0.3% | North America & Europe, expanding to APAC | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Corporate ESG mandates on reusability | +0.4% | Global, led by Europe & North America | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Adoption of IoT-enabled smart boxes | +0.5% | Global, developed markets first | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Second-life modular housing demand | +0.2% | North America, Australia, parts of Europe | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Explosive Growth of Cross-Border E-Commerce Creating 24-Hour Turnaround Expectations
E-commerce expansion drives more frequent, smaller shipments, shifting focus from vessel capacity toward port velocity. Carriers commit additional equipment to high-frequency loops, while ports invest in automated cranes that clear vessels inside one shift. Smart tracking allows shippers to pre-clear customs and book rail slots before docking. These operational gains shorten inventory cycles and reinforce preference for standard dry boxes, keeping utilization high even when trade volumes fluctuate. As online marketplaces penetrate emerging economies, the shipping container market sees sustained baseline demand across diverse trade lanes.
Worldwide Cold-Chain Penetration Accelerates Advanced Reefer Orders
Pharmaceutical producers are migrating long-haul shipments from air to ocean to cut costs and emissions without compromising temperature control. Modern reefers maintain ±0.5 °C accuracy and integrate telemetry that flags deviations in real time, allowing corrective actions mid-voyage. Fresh grocery exporters adopt similar technology to reach distant consumers with minimal spoilage. Manufacturers offering dual-fuel refrigeration units reduce energy consumption and meet low-GWP regulations, enabling higher price realisation per box. As grocery e-commerce extends to new markets, advanced reefer demand continues to outpace general cargo growth.
Direct-to-Consumer Brands Demanding Bespoke, Logo-Printed Containers
Lifestyle companies repurpose branded units as mobile stores that double as micro-fulfilment hubs during seasonal events. This niche lifts orders for one-trip boxes with custom paint and internal racking. While volumes remain small, margins are high and foster closer collaboration between box makers and marketing agencies. The trend also spurs requests for side-door and tunnel variants that enable experiential retail layouts, widening the specification palette within the shipping container market.
Corporate ESG Mandates Pushing Reusable Container Adoption
Large retailers commit to cutting single-use plastics by shifting bulk imports into reusable multimodal containers. Box manufacturers respond with composite panels that lower tare weight and extend service life, improving lifecycle emissions performance. Steel makers introduce recycled and low-carbon grades such as Zeremis Recycled with 30% scrap content[1]Tata Steel Nederland, “Zeremis Recycled Steel Launch,” tatasteeleurope.com. Leasing companies structure circular leasing pools that guarantee refurbishment and redeployment, easing capital barriers for smaller shippers and aligning asset use with ESG scorecards.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-pandemic oversupply of boxes | -1.2% | Global, China & North America | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Volatility in hot-rolled coil prices | -0.7% | Global, Asian manufacturing hubs | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Stricter cradle-to-grave regulations | -0.4% | Europe & North America, expanding to APAC | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Emergence of foldable container alternatives | -0.3% | Global, early in Europe & developed markets | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Post-Pandemic Oversupply of Boxes Eroding Utilization Rates
Record new builds made during 2021-2023 create a temporary surplus, pushing lease rates down and prompting operators to delay fresh orders. Idle inventories accumulate in gateway ports when trade softens, forcing depots to lower storage fees to attract repositioning business. Manufacturers adapt by trimming production shifts and redirecting capacity toward specialized designs with steadier demand. The correction is expected to resolve once scrappage catches up with ageing fleets and trade normalizes.
Volatility in Hot-Rolled Coil Steel Prices Creating Budget Uncertainty
Steel accounts for nearly 60% of a dry box’s cost, and price swings compress margins when contracts lack escalation clauses. Small leasing firms struggle to hedge raw materials, prompting them to delay renewals and rely on extended life cycles for existing assets. Some buyers hedge through frame agreements tied to steel indices, but this approach favors larger volume players. Interest in composites grows as customers seek cost stability, even if initial outlays remain higher than Corten steel.
Segment Analysis
By Size: High-Cube Efficiency Drives Volume Optimization
High-cube offerings are capturing incremental demand because their 13% extra headroom maximizes volumetric loads such as e-commerce parcels and lightweight consumer electronics. 40-ft formats generated 52.64% revenue in 2024, demonstrating entrenched popularity for ocean freight, whereas 40-ft high-cube units are forecast to grow at 5.61% CAGR to 2030. The shipping container market size for high-cube units reflects shipper preference for greater capacity without breaching weight restrictions.
Port infrastructure upgrades accommodate taller stacks, and terminal operators add reach-stackers with extended lifting heights to handle these units efficiently. Logistics integrators promote standardization on the 40-ft profile to streamline rail wagon allocation and depot interchange. Triton Containers markets high-cube leases with flexible pick-up options to reduce repositioning, reinforcing adoption. Overall, shipper focus on cubic efficiency and consolidation of packaging drives continued high-cube traction across primary trade corridors.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Container Type: Reefer Innovation Transforms Cold-Chain Logistics
Dry storage boxes accounted for 72.75% of 2024 shipments, underscoring their status as the backbone of global commodity flows. In contrast, reefer units record a 6.42% CAGR to 2030 as fresh produce exporters and drug makers scale ocean routes. Refrigerated boxes currently represent the premium slice of the shipping container market, commanding rental rates two to three times higher than dry units.
Technology upgrades include variable-speed compressors and solar-assisted power modules that cut energy draw during idle periods. Pharmaceutical shippers require redundant temperature probes and door sensors that trigger alerts within seconds of deviation, driving differentiation among manufacturers. Reefers also benefit from decarbonization, as shifting temperature-sensitive goods from air to sea avoids up to 80% of related emissions[2]United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, “Review of Maritime Transport 2024,” unctad.org.
By Material: Composite Innovation Challenges Steel Dominance
Corten steel’s 87.10% share stems from low material cost, weldability, and robust global repair networks. Yet FRP and composite panels are rising at a 7.84% CAGR as ESG audits favor lighter boxes that consume less fuel per trip. The shipping container market share of composites remains modest but growing, particularly in temperature-controlled and corrosive cargo scenarios.
Steel makers are not standing still. SSAB collaborates with ILAB Container to commercialize fossil-free steel production that cuts lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 90%[3]SSAB, “Fossil-Free Steel for Containers,” ssab.com. These innovations help steel retain relevance while meeting sustainability criteria. Composite fabricators push modular roofs and panels that bolt onto standard steel frames, easing depot repairs and accelerating field acceptance.
By End-Use Industry: Healthcare Acceleration Reshapes Demand Patterns
Consumer goods and retail demand maintained 39.87% of 2024 volume, powered by omnichannel fulfilment and seasonal fashion cycles. Pharmaceuticals and healthcare, though smaller, register an 8.25% CAGR through 2030, helping lift the shipping container market size for value-added reefer equipment. Vaccine distribution relies on passive cooling blankets inside reefers, increasing per-box revenue.
Food and beverage shippers continue steady contracting, particularly in South–South corridors where middle-class diets diversify. Industrial machinery loads benefit from nearshoring, as firms relocate assembly from Asia to North America and Eastern Europe. Regulatory harmonization for dangerous goods fosters adoption of tank containers in the chemical sector, further segmenting product demand profiles.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Mode of Transport: Rail Intermodal Captures Efficiency Gains
Deep-sea services accounted for 80.67% of the shipping containers market 2024 turnover, but rail intermodal posts a 5.36% CAGR as governments subsidize modal shift from road to track. The shipping container market size tied to inland rail corridors reflects cost savings on hauls above 500 miles. Railways invest in double-stack clearances and automated yard cranes, lowering dwell times.
Intermodal operators retrofit wagons with GPS sensors that synchronize with port community systems, allowing near real-time ETA updates. Box builders equip reinforced corner castings to tolerate higher coupling forces on long trains. Short-sea carriers complement rail by feeding transshipment hubs, creating an integrated network that multiplies container turns per year and attracts shipper loyalty.
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific dominated the shipping containers market with 60.50% revenue in 2024 and is set to grow at a 5.67% CAGR to 2030. China retains manufacturing leadership, yet Southeast Asia captures incremental volumes as firms diversify sourcing. Malaysian and Indian mega-port projects add more than 25 million TEU of annual capacity, anchoring regional throughput and stimulating container demand across feeder networks. Currency stability and supportive trade agreements also encourage regional leasing pools to expand their fleets.
North America benefits from nearshoring that shifts electronics and automotive assembly closer to consumption markets. United States port authorities approve multi-billion-dollar dredging and berth electrification programs, enhancing competitiveness against Mexican and Canadian gateways. The rail intermodal build-out across the Midwest unlocks cost-effective land bridges that connect Atlantic and Pacific basins in under eight days, driving uptake of stack-train compatible container designs.
Europe records mixed growth shipping container market as geopolitical tensions divert Asia-Europe sailings around Africa, extending transit times but also directing additional calls to Mediterranean hubs. Investments in automation at London Gateway and Rotterdam Maasvlakte raise throughput per crane hour, cushioning cost-per-box metrics. Stringent environmental regulations accelerate the retirement of older, heavier boxes in favor of recycled-content steel units, supporting replacement demand despite subdued trade volume growth.
Note: Segments share of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Competitive Landscape
Container shipping alliances are undergoing a new round of restructuring following the scheduled end of legacy partnerships. The upcoming Gemini Cooperation between two leading carriers consolidates sailings on the main east-west lanes, raising service frequency and lowering slot costs per TEU. Smaller lines respond by entering vessel-sharing agreements that spread risk and secure loading windows at major terminals.
Leasing consolidation intensifies as private equity targets steady cash flows from long-term charter contracts. The USD 7.4 billion purchase of a top-five lessor by Stonepeak demonstrates investor appetite for asset-heavy platforms able to lock in predictable returns through diversified portfolios. Scale allows these owners to negotiate favorable box prices and roll out smart tracking at fleet level sooner than smaller rivals.
Technology adoption forms the next competitive front. CMA CGM’s collaboration with a global cloud provider integrates AI into voyage optimisation, cutting bunker consumption by 4% per sailing. Terminal operators trial fully electric straddle carriers that reduce diesel use and improve air quality at port communities. Manufacturers racing to meet these digital and sustainability demands hold pricing power, strengthening the moderate concentration of the shipping container market.
Shipping Containers Industry Leaders
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China International Marine Containers Co. Ltd
-
Maersk Container Industry AS
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CXIC Group Containers Co., Ltd.
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Singamas Container Holdings Ltd.
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Dong Fang International Container (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- May 2025: ZIM committed USD 2.3 billion to fleet expansion, adding fuel-efficient vessels to its global network.
- March 2025: CMA CGM announced a USD 20 billion, four-year investment program to upgrade United States maritime infrastructure.
- March 2025: DP World began a USD 1.3 billion expansion at London Gateway, introducing two fully electric berths.
- November 2024: Evergreen ordered 60,500 new containers for growing liner fleet, indicating strong demand recovery and capacity expansion strategies among major shipping lines
Research Methodology Framework and Report Scope
Market Definitions and Key Coverage
Our study defines the shipping containers market as the value of brand-new ISO and specialized freight boxes, dry, reefer, tank, flat rack and high-cube, that are delivered to ocean carriers, leasing firms or intermodal operators for cargo transport across maritime, rail and road networks. The valuation reflects ex-factory prices of complete units, inclusive of fittings and coatings, during the 2025 base year.
(Scope exclusion) Second-hand box resale, leasing income, modular building conversions and container handling equipment stay outside our scope.
Segmentation Overview
- By Size
- 20-ft (TEU)
- 40-ft (FEU)
- 40-ft High-Cube,
- Others ( >45-ft, etc)
- By Container Type
- Dry Storage (Standard)
- Refrigerated (Reefer)
- Tank (ISO Tank, Cryogenic)
- Flat-Rack & Open-Top
- Special Purpose (Side-Door, Tunnel, Insulated, Collapsible)
- By Material
- Corten Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Aluminium Alloy
- FRP & Composite
- Others
- By End-Use Industry
- Consumer Goods & Retail
- Food & Beverage
- Industrial Machinery & Automotive
- Chemicals & Petroleum
- Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
- Others
- By Mode of Transport
- Maritime Deep-Sea
- Short-Sea & Coastal
- Rail Intermodal
- Road Inland Haulage & Off-Site Storage
- By Geography
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- South America
- Brazil
- Peru
- Chile
- Argentina
- Rest of South America
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- Australia
- South Korea
- South East Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Philippines)
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- Europe
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Spain
- Italy
- BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)
- NORDICS (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
- Rest of Europe
- Middle East And Africa
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Nigeria
- Rest of Middle East And Africa
- North America
Detailed Research Methodology and Data Validation
Primary Research
We validated desk findings through interviews and short surveys with manufacturing engineers in China, Denmark and Vietnam, container leasing strategists in Singapore and Europe, plus procurement managers at two Tier-1 shipping lines operating in North America. These discussions clarified real ASP movements, reefer penetration rates and typical retirement ages, allowing us to fine-tune controversial assumptions.
Desk Research
We began with structured desk work that harvested production and trade flows from UNCTAD, the World Shipping Council, and national customs dashboards, while steel cost curves from Asia Metal and container freight indices from Drewry helped us anchor price realism. Company filings, IPO prospectuses and investor decks supplied order books and ASP hints, which our analysts accessed through D&B Hoovers and Dow Jones Factiva for further verification.
Complementary reference was drawn from IMO regulatory notices, Intermodal Association of North America factsheets and peer-reviewed journals on corrosion-resistant alloys used in Corten steel panels. The sources named illustrate our approach and are not exhaustive; dozens of similar public references were reviewed to cross-check every datapoint.
Market-Sizing & Forecasting
A top-down build starts with global TEU production, adjusted for average container capacity by size class, then multiplied by ASP bands that mirror quarterly steel and coating prices. Results are sense-checked through selective bottom-up roll-ups of disclosed shipments from leading manufacturers and sampled lease conversions. Key variables such as hot-rolled coil prices, annual TEU trade growth, reefer share, box retirement ratios and regulatory surcharges feed a multivariate regression model; an ARIMA overlay captures cyclical swings before we extend forecasts to 2030. Gaps in bottom-up samples are bridged using port throughput proxies and manufacturer capacity utilization disclosures.
Data Validation & Update Cycle
Our analysts triangulate every model output with independent indices, flag outliers and rerun variance checks before senior review. The report is refreshed each year, and interim updates are triggered when material events, such as a steel price spike or a major IMO ruling, shift key variables. A final pre-publication audit ensures clients receive the freshest view.
Why Our Shipping Containers Market Baseline Commands Reliability
Published numbers often diverge because firms frame the market differently, pick unequal price points or refresh at varied cadences. We acknowledge these realities upfront and preview where gaps typically arise.
The widest gaps stem from three drivers: some studies fold rental revenue into market value, several omit high-cube and specialized tanks, and others assume aggressive ASP inflation untested against recent order books. Mordor's disciplined scope, annual refresh and dual-path validation keep our baseline steady and defensible.
Benchmark comparison
| Market Size | Anonymized source | Primary gap driver |
|---|---|---|
| USD 10.27 B | Mordor Intelligence | |
| USD 10.98 B | Regional Consultancy A | Excludes tanks and 45-ft units, so undercounts volume |
| USD 12.09 B | Trade Journal B | Adds resale of used boxes, inflating total value |
| USD 12.60 B | Industry Think Tank C | Applies uniform 7 % ASP hike not aligned with steel indices |
In sum, our blended top-down logic, rigorously cross-verified inputs and clear scope boundaries make Mordor Intelligence the dependable starting point for executives who must act on credible container market figures.
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the shipping container market?
The market stands at USD 10.27 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 12.77 billion by 2030 with a 4.46% CAGR.
Which region leads the shipping container market?
Asia-Pacific holds 60.50% of global revenue in 2024 and is also the fastest-growing region through 2030.
Why are reefer containers growing faster than dry containers?
Pharmaceutical and fresh grocery shippers are moving temperature-sensitive goods from air to sea, boosting demand for advanced refrigerated boxes that offer precise climate control at lower transport cost.
How are sustainability goals influencing container materials?
Corporate ESG commitments spur adoption of recycled-content steel and lightweight composites, with FRP & composite materials expanding at a 7.84% CAGR as operators seek lower lifecycle emissions.
What role does rail intermodal play in container transport growth?
Rail intermodal is the fastest-growing mode at 5.36% CAGR because infrastructure upgrades and environmental policies encourage shippers to shift long-distance inland moves from road to rail.
How is digital innovation affecting container ownership economics?
IoT-enabled smart boxes provide real-time visibility and predictive maintenance, allowing owners to charge premium lease rates while reducing downtime and unplanned repairs.
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