One way container offers a reliable and flexible way to move your cargo. Read this blog to explore the benefits of one-way leasing in the current market and how it’s different from one-trip containers. 

One-way leasing allows you to transport goods from one location to another without worrying about repositioning costs. It’s a flexible and efficient solution, especially when container availability is limited in certain regions.

If you’re looking for one-way containers for your shipment, our leasing marketplace has you covered. With 100,000+ containers in 2,500 locations worldwide, you can quickly find the right SOC (shipper-owned) container for your route.

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        One way container meaning

        A one-way container refers to leasing a container for a one-way trip. You lease the container by paying the usual freight charges to the container owner for transporting your cargo. At the same time, the container owner gets to move their container without incurring the costs of empty container repositioning. So, it’s a win-win situation for both parties! Let’s explore more about the benefits of one-way container leasing.

        What are the benefits of one-way leasing? 

        One way shipping container leasing helps you avoid demurrage and detention charges and leads to cost savings. It also helps in avoiding empty container repositioning. Let’s understand this in detail. 

        Avoid demurrage and detention charges

        Demurrage and detention (D&D) charges are the fees you pay to carriers for using their containers beyond the allotted free days. These costs can add up quickly, especially with current port congestion and delays in shipping. 

        Avoid these charges by leasing Shipper-Owned containers (SOCs) one way. Leasing SOCs frees you from the liability of paying D&D charges to carriers, helping you manage costs more effectively. Get SOCs for one-way on Container xChange. 

        Avoid empty container repositioning cost

        By leasing one-way containers to move your goods, you can avoid empty container repositioning costs. On our container leasing marketplace, you’ll find owners ready to lease their containers for one-way trips. This allows you to get your goods to your desired destination without worrying about the return journey.

        Empty container repositioning

        Cost savings

        One-way containers offer significant cost savings for both lessors and owners. Lessors avoid paying hefty D&D charges and increased COC rates to carriers. Whereas, container owners benefit by getting paid to move containers that would otherwise be repositioned empty at their own expense.

        Sustainability

        Leasing SOCs promotes sustainability by reducing frequent repositioning of empty containers, thus lowering carbon emissions. This practice minimizes the environmental impact of shipping operations, contributing to more sustainable logistics.

        Leasing SOCs for one-way moves offers many benefits for your business. Explore current offers and leasing rates on your preferred route on our leasing platform. 

        How one-way container leasing can ease container shortages and congestion 

        Let’s take the current shipping landscape, to understand how one-way container leasing can help mitigate the challenges caused by container shortages and congestion. Managing shipping costs is more critical than ever, especially with COC freight rates skyrocketing due to the Red Sea crisis. Longer voyages around the Cape of Good Hope have caused congestion at key ports in Asia. Moreover, there is a reduction in overall available vessel capacity, further increasing the container shortage. 

        All these factors are causing a sharp rise in freight rates. For instance, the average freight rate for a 40ft container from Shanghai to Rotterdam increased to $8,056 per FEU in the first week of July 2024. 

        In a market situation like this, leasing SOCs one-way offers cost-effective benefits for your business. By leasing SOCs over COCs, you can avoid paying D&D charges that have surged due to congestion and delays. Similarly, one-way container leasing can help container owners move their containers from a surplus location to a deficit one without incurring any charges. 

        But how do you find trustworthy container leasing companies to get one way containers? Right here on the Container xChange leasing marketplace. Read on to learn more. 

        Lease shipping containers for one way through the xChange marketplace

        On the Container xChange leasing marketplace, you can create a free account and connect with 1,700+ shipping companies to lease SOCs for one way moves. Get any container type under one platform with us in just a few steps.

        • Create your free account on the xChange Network
        • Type in your preferred route and the container type you require
        • Hit the search button and browse through all the leasing options
        • Select a deal that suits your budget
        • Interact and negotiate per diem and free days with vetted suppliers
        • Make safe payments through the platform itself 

        That’s it! It’s easy to find SOC containers for one way leasing through our platform. Click the banner below to create your free account and browse through offers from velled suppliers. 

        Banner for demo for one way container

        One way container leasing rates on popular routes 

        Knowing the container leasing rates on popular routes can help you choose the right deals and negotiate better. Here are the average leasing rates on popular routes.

        • China to Europe: The average pick-up charge from Shanghai to Rotterdam for a 20ft container is $270 with 68 free days and a $3.5 per diem charge.
        • China to the US: The pickup charge for 40ft HC from Shanghai to New York is $1,330 with 82 free days and a per diem charge of $4. From Shanghai to Los Angeles, it’s $1,460 with 135 free days and a per diem charge of $5.5.
        • China to Canada: The pick-up charge for a 20ft container from Ningbo to Toronto is $1,230, with 70 free days and a per diem charge of $5. From Ningbo to Montreal, it’s $900 with a per diem charge of $5 and 70 free days.

        Want to check out the latest leasing rates on your preferred route? Join the xChange Container Network to browse through active offers from our suppliers. Joining xChange is now free so why wait? 

        What is the difference between one way container and one trip container?

        A one-way container, also known as a cabotage container, is leased for a single journey from one location to another by the shipper. A one-trip shipping container, on the other hand, is a container condition, essentially, a brand-new container that has made only one trip from the factory to the destination port. 

        Check out our detailed blog on one-trip shipping containers for more information. 

        Lease one-way containers from vetted companies at best rates

        Leasing one way containers is a great option, especially in the current shipping market where COC rates are spiking up and there is a shortage of available containers. 

        On the Container xChange leasing marketplace, you can find vetted suppliers to lease SOCs from. Just select the container type and size you need, and you’ll get multiple offers to choose from within seconds. When you find something that suits you, reach out to the supplier directly to negotiate the rates, terms, and conditions.

        Here are some other benefits you’ll enjoy as a member of xChange:

        • Free access to 1,700+ vetted and pre-approved suppliers
        • Expand your business with 100,000+ containers available in over 2,500 locations worldwide
        • Compare multiple SOC offers in one place
        • Get complete price transparency
        • No hidden costs 
        • Negotiate deals directly with partners—No middleman

        Ready to lease one-way containers? Fill in your details below and start browsing. 

          One way container: Common FAQs

          What is a one way container?

          A one-way container is a leased container used for a single trip to transport cargo from one location to another, helping to balance container supply and reduce empty repositioning costs.

          What is a 1-trip container?

          A one-trip container is a brand-new container that has made only one trip from the factory to the destination port. These containers are essentially brand new.

          What happens to empty shipping containers?

          Usually, three things happen with empty containers. The empty shipping containers are loaded with a new batch of cargo and shipped from the port to their new destination. They are shipped to their new destination sans cargo due to empty shipping repositioning. Or, they get piled up at depots and ports, causing a global trade imbalance.