The International Tank Container Organisation (ITCO) has published its 13th Annual Tank Container Fleet Survey, which estimates that, on 1 January 2025, the global tank container fleet had reached 882,023 units worldwide.
This is translating to a 4% growth compared to the figure of 848,400 on 1 January 2024.
Approximately 42,100 new tank containers were built in the previous year, compared to 56,600 new units in 2023. However, with some 8,500 tanks being scrapped, or sold out of the industry, the overall growth in the global fleet was just over 33,600 units.
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 10 largest operators accounted for over 301,750 tanks, representing just under 50% of the global tank container operators’ fleet (619,741 tanks), while the top 10 lessors accounted for 319,733 tanks, representing about 84% of the total leasing fleet (381,781 tanks).
Commenting on the results of the survey, ITCO President Paul Gooch said: “Considering all of the challenges of the marketplace, geopolitical tensions, weak investment and productivity growth, and ageing populations, it is encouraging to see the tank container fleet continuing to grow ahead of global GDP growth. It is a testament to the value of the tank container as a safe and sustainable piece of equipment, ideally suited to intermodal traffic.”
