Containers are the backbone of global trade, the main means of transporting goods between continents and of economic exchange. But the important question is: which country produces the most containers and which is the largest container manufacturing company in the world? The answer to this question helps to know the structure of the global container industry and its key points.
China; Container production pole in the world
China is by far the largest container producing country in the world. More than 96% of dry cargo containers and 100% of reefer containers in the world are made in China. This huge share shows that almost the entire world container manufacturing market is in the hands of Chinese manufacturers.
The reasons for this dominance are:
• The complete industrial supply chain: from steel to aftermarket parts and support services are all available in China.
• Lower production cost than other countries: access to labor and raw materials at a lower cost.
• Large industrial clusters: Coastal provinces such as Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shandong are hubs for container production.
The largest container manufacturing company in the world
China International Marine Containers Group Co., Ltd. (CIMC)
The largest container manufacturing company in the world is CIMC, which is located in Shenzhen, China.
Some key points about CIMC:
• More than 2 million TEU annual production capacity: this means millions of 20-foot equivalent containers are built per year.
• Leader in all types of containers: from standard dry containers to refrigerated and special types.
• Global market: CIMC products are sold in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and its customers are large shipping companies and container lessors.
CIMC has been at the top of the list of global manufacturers since 1996 and has a significant share of the market.
Other important players in the container manufacturing industry
Although China leads by a wide margin, several other companies are also playing an important role in the global market — most of them are also based in China:
Dong Fang International Container Group (DFIC)
One of CIMC's biggest competitors with high capacity and focusing on dry and refrigerated containers.
COSCO's sub-category which, in addition to transportation, also plays a role in container production.
CXIC and Singamas
Other Chinese companies that belong to several top global manufacturers.
Why is it important for business to know this?
Knowledge of the largest manufacturers and major countries in container manufacturing is critical for sourcing strategy, pricing, and quality comparison. If you intend to import, rent or produce containers:
• You can know the best global suppliers.
• Compare prices better (for example, China price vs. Europe/America).
• Better manage quality, standards and delivery time based on source of manufacture.
With industrial concentration and complete infrastructure, China has an unrivaled position in container production in the world, and CIMC is the largest active brand in this industry.