2025 Shipping Container Purchase Predictions: Pricing, Availability and What Influences Both

Containers are a commodity, so they have always fluctuated in price and availability throughout the years. However, some trends tended to follow annual patterns, and some followed larger historical trends, making it somewhat easier to guess where the market was headed. Since the massive disruptions in supply chains during the pandemic, many of those familiar trends have not returned to their usual patterns, making it more difficult to predict where the market is going. That said, looking at the factors that affect shipping container pricing and availability, we can guess a few things - at least for the start of 2025.

Shipping Container Market Basics

Before we get into expectations for the year ahead, here are a few basic facts about the shipping container market:

• Containers are manufactured in China. 
• Shipping containers either go into service by shipping and leasing lines to be used on ships for extended periods, after which they will be sold as used containers, or they are manufactured with the intention of selling them in the after-market as one-trip/”new” containers.
• Containers that have been used are sold where they end up at the end of their lease or when the shipping line determines they are ready to sell them. Historically, used containers would be 7-15 years old at this point. Currently, we are seeing this age move up to 10-20 years old. With the current supply and demand, we are also getting to the bottom of the barrel on options these days, and as a result, containers are looking rougher than usual.
• One-trip/”new” containers need to be moved from China to their destination (the US, in our case). To defray the cost of moving the containers, often they are matched up with freight. The companies that have paid to make the containers are paid by freight brokers to be able to use the containers for that one trip to the US. 
• Global shipping trends affect where shipping lines are sending containers and where they need containers. For example, during the pandemic, they could not get enough containers in China to fill the high demand for goods being shipped out of China, and there were much fewer exports from the US and Europe filling ships to send containers back to China. This imbalance created high prices for used containers in China.

2025 Shipping Container Purchase Predictions

Now, let's dive into the current situation and take a closer look at what's happening right now. 

Geographical and Political Factors

Globally, shipping lines are not using the Suez Canal because of current concerns and dangers in the Red Sea. The Panama Canal is currently in use but is limited by its water level. This means that the shipping lines are still having to sail around Africa instead of taking the usual, much shorter route. Larger ships that cannot go through the Panama Canal are having to go around South America as well, or they are at risk of having to do so if the water level goes down. This disrupts how many ships it takes to move goods and the amount of time it takes to move goods.

So what does that mean? 

As a result, the rate on 40’ high cube shipping containers in China has increased to a higher rate than what we are charging for 40’ high cubes in the US.

Yes, those who want to move containers from China to the US could get some money from brokers looking to do that, but the shipping lines are currently pretty competitive because US orders from China are down. In the past 2 months, the rate they typically get has dropped more than half. Even with that to defray the cost of getting the containers to the US, the net cost of the used 40’ high cubes is still higher than what most Americans would see an acceptable rate for a used 40’ high cube.

What's the Impact on Used Shipping Containers? 

We’re going to see higher rates on used containers and continued limited availability of used containers, at least through the first quarter of 2025.

If shipping improves and we see a better balance of orders between the US and China, the situation could either stabilize more quickly or take longer to resolve, depending on how things unfold.

What About NEW Containers?

Fortunately, shipping container factories are keeping things relatively stable. There was talk about raising rates last fall, but given the state of shipping, the prices are returning to where they were before the increase. In general, the factories monitor the shipping rates and try to maintain stability.

We may see this change around the Chinese New Year. This is always a popular time for price changes for new containers. The factories all close down for at least 2 weeks during that time and take the opportunity when they reopen to come out with new pricing.

If the factories like things steady, then why did containers become expensive during the pandemic?

That was because of the shipping prices. Shipping rates increased drastically during the pandemic, which got passed on to the new containers during that time, which is how we saw $8,000 in one-trip 40’ containers. Instead of getting a break on shipping the containers, it was an additional cost of getting the containers to the US at that time.

What About Demand for Used Containers in the US?

The question is always what is the US used container market willing to pay versus what is the Chinese used container market willing to pay and where are the containers? If the containers are in the US and both markets are willing to spend the same money, then we generally get the containers. But if the containers are all in China and buyers there are willing to pay more, then containers are being sent over here.

What Other Factors Will Influence Shipping Container Purchases in 2025?

Global events are always a significant factor in shipping container availability and pricing. Some of these events are already on our radar, like those mentioned above. Then there’s the ongoing situation with the Russian economy and its potential impact.

There are also other political, environmental, and other events that we cannot predict that affect shipping routes, buying patterns, and manufacturing trends. Anything that affects how much people want to move things around, how they move things around, and where they are moving will all play into how pricing and availability will play out in the next year.

The good news is that as we get further away from the dramatic supply chain problems that came out of the pandemic, the more we are seeing things calm down in the US supply chain process. There will always be global issues going on, and the market will always respond to them.

Key Factors That Impact the Cost of a Shipping Container

Final Advice for Shipping Container Buyers in 2025

For those buying a shipping container in 2025, be sure to price out both new and used containers. With used pricing and availability varying so much, particularly at the beginning of the year, keep an eye on one-trip/" new" containers. Those prices are steady, and the quality is always reliable. Since we know the used quality is older and rougher, we're seeing a huge quality gap with a smaller price gap between the two options. It is making the one-trips look far more appealing than they normally would.

Need Help Navigating Your Shipping Container Purchase?

With so many factors influencing the supply and prices of shipping containers this year, having a trusted supplier is increasingly important. At Super Cubes, we know the ins and outs of shipping containers; we help individuals and businesses every day find the right container for their needs. Reach out to our team today with questions or for a quote on your next container purchase.

Super Cubes is a family-owned business located in Minneapolis, MN, that provides containers anywhere in the continental US. We offer personalized service for individuals and businesses, providing high-quality containers at competitive prices. With nationwide facilities, we can modify and deliver containers close to you. Contact our experienced team for your next container project.