News / Container glut won’t dent the financial appeal of shipper-owned boxes

© Binkski

Despite the glut of equipment and falling freight rates, shipper-owned containers (SOCs) may be more cost-effective than renting those owned by carriers.

Consultancy Container Xchange, in its annual survey, suggests this is because of scarce equipment in inland locations and SOCs not being subject to unexpected demurrage and detention fees.

As with its previous surveys, Container Xchange went undercover, posing as a forwarder to enquire about SOC and COC rates for moving logs between China’s Ningbo and European ports.

Of the carriers approached, ...