Global tank container fleet reaches 686,650 units, says ITCO

Global tank container fleet reaches 686,650 units, says ITCO

The International Tank Container Organisation (ITCO), has published its 9th Annual Tank Container Fleet Survey. 

This year’s survey estimates that on January 1 2021, the global tank container fleet had reached 686,650 units worldwide, compared to the figure of 652,350 on January 1 2020, a year-on-year growth of 5.26 percent.

Reflecting market uncertainty during 2020 – primarily caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic – the number of tank containers produced last year was lower than in 2019. 

In 2020, a total of 35,800 tank containers were built, compared to 54,650 in 2019, a decrease of some 18,850 units over the previous year.

The survey shows how, numerically, the industry continues to be dominated on a global level by a relatively small number of major tank container operators and leasing companies. 

The top 10 operators account for over 246,000 tanks representing over 55 percent of the global operators’ fleet of 443,100 units. 

The top 10 leasing companies account for over 250,000 tanks, about 80 percent of the total leasing fleet of 316,710. The top three leasing companies account for nearly 159,000 tanks, over 50 percent of the total leasing company fleet.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Reg Lee, ITCO president, said: “While tank container production in 2020 was lower than the previous year, there have been clear signs in recent months of a recovery in orders – indicating an improved situation in 2021.”

For more information visit international-tank-container.org

8th March 2021