Global ISO Tank Container Market Growth Analysis - Market Size, Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook Report (2025-2034)

ISO Tank Container Market Overview

The growing demand for food grade liquids such as juices and wines support the growth of ISO tank container market. In 2023, France was the leading country globally in exporting wine with an export value of USD 12.9 billion, followed by Spain with 3.2 billion. Similarly, in 2023, Mexico was the leading exporter of beer with a revenue of USD 5.8 billion, followed by European Union with 3.8 billion.  In 2023, in Europe, Belgium was the leading beer exporter (intra-EU and extra-EU) with an overall export of 15,004 thousand HL, followed by Germany with 14,326 thousand HL and the Netherlands with 12,684 thousand HL.

Figure: Global Beer Exports (USD Billion) by Top Countries, 2023

ISO tank containers come in standard sizes, typically 20 feet and 40 feet, making them suitable for intermodal transportation.

Most standard ISO tank containers follow the T11 T code. This makes them suitable for food-grade, unclassified, and some classified products. For more demanding products like acids, companies can upgrade the T11 container to a T14 model. The T14 is stronger and more durable, making it better for hazardous liquid.

Each container must meet important international standards like ISO, CSC, TIR, UIC, and UN Portable Tank codes (including US-DOT, IMDG, and ADR 6.7). Many containers also have dual certification, such as ADR TANK 6.8 (like L4BN), which ensures the legal and safety requirements. ISO tank containers are also certified to American (ASI, ASME, ANSI, AISC, AVI, ASCE, IBC, UBC, NEMA), European (Euro, PED, TEMA), and Indian (BIS, ISI) standards.

Figure: Global Wine Exports (USD Billion) by Top 10 Countries, 2023

Tank production is largely concentrated in China where there are several manufacturers building tanks for the international and domestic market. Tanks are also manufactured in South Africa and Europe. CIMC Safeway Technologies Co. Ltd, China is a clear leader in the global ISO tank market, commanding an impressive 50.1% market share in 2022.

ISO tank containers are widely used for chemical transportation as they are designed to safely handle hazardous liquids repeatedly. In 2022, China accounted for 18.4% of total chemical exports.

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If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

Purchase the Regional Overview for USD 1099

If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

Purchase the Regional Overview for USD 1099

If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

ISO Tank Container Market Growth

The growth in international trade aids the demand for ISO tanks for transporting chemical, petrochemical and food-grade liquids. In volume terms, world merchandise trade increased by 2.7% in 2022. ISO tank containers maximise space, allowing higher chemical volumes per container and reducing chemical handling risk by eliminating intermediate handling. In 2022, global chemical exports grew by 18.6% compared to 2021 and China accounted for 18.4% of the total chemical exports, followed by the United States with 8.8% share. 

As per the ISO tank container market report, in 2024, there were over 240 operators of tank container globally, ranging from very large global companies to relatively small niche and regional players.

According to January 2024 data, the top ten operators accounted for over 297,955 tanks representing over 50% of the global tank container operators’ fleet, accounting for 587,970 tanks. According to January 2024 data, the top 10 lessors accounted for 317,740 tanks, representing about 85% of the total leasing fleet (372,195 tanks).

Key Trends and Developments

ISO Tank Container Market Trends

ISO tank containers are designed for durability, with a service life that exceeds 20 years, making them a long-term investment for liquid cargo transportation. These containers are approximately 90% recyclable, highlighting their eco-friendly nature. 

Smart ISO tank containers: The integration of IoT technologies has revolutionized the ISO tank container market, enhancing real-time tracking, temperature monitoring, and security, which improves operational efficiency and cargo safety across industries.  

Green Technologies: The industry is increasingly adopting eco-friendly solutions, such as electric-powered refrigeration units, solar panels, and lightweight materials, to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency during transportation.

ISO Tank Container Market Opportunities

In chemical transportation, ISO tank containers offer enhanced safety features, including pressure relief valves and emergency vents, ensuring efficient chemical handling. ISO tank containers are classified using the 'T Code System’ which identifies the containers based on the cargo they carry.  While T11 indicates ISO tanks carrying non-hazardous chemicals, such as caustic soda, T14 code indicates tanks carrying hazardous chemicals. In 2023, China accounted for 17.6% of the total organic chemical exports, followed by the United States and Ireland with 11.7% share and 10.1% share, respectively.

ISO tank containers offer a standardised and versatile solution for intermodal transport. As a result, these are increasingly adopted in global trade. Furthermore, ISO tanks are required in the transportation of liquid food grade solutions for enhanced safety, which is significantly supporting the ISO tank container market. In 2023, the United States dairy exports amounted to USD 8 billion with a total volume of 2.63 million metric tons. 

ISO Tank Container Market Restraints

Since ISO tank containers have been designed, manufactured, and tested to comply with internationally recognised safety and performance standards, their upfront cost is generally high. The significant cost may be a barrier for small businesses or those new to the logistics market, thus hindering the ISO tank container market growth.

ISO tanks require proper maintenance to guarantee the safe transport of cargo. Failure to maintain ISO tank containers can cause leaks, structural damage, or cargo contamination, which may lead to accidents or significant financial losses. Additionally, cleaning of ISO tank containers and parts replacement is a complex and capital-intensive procedure. 

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ISO Tank Container Industry Segmentation

ISO Tank Container Market Share

Market Analysis by Transport Mode

Tank containers are crucial for the transportation of various liquids:

Tank containers transport diverse cargo, including gases, powders, liquids, hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and perishable and non-perishable food products like orange juice, wine, and liquid chocolate. As per July 2024 reports, Brazil is the largest producer of orange juice and exports around 75% of orange juice, globally.

As per the ISO tank container market analysis, in 2022, France, Italy, Spain, Chile, and Australia emerged as the top five wine exporters. Together, these countries accounted for 70.5% of global wine exports by value.

Significant use of ISO tanks for transportation of goods via roads:

According to 2024 report, the United States has the largest road network globally at 6.6 million kilometres, followed by India with 6.4 million kilometres and China with 5.2 million kilometres.

In 2023, road transportation in Europe saw a notable share, covering 24.1% of EU exports and 18.7% of imports. 

Rising use of ISO tank for LNG transportation:

Together, the United States, Australia, and Qatar—the three largest global LNG exporters made up 60% of total LNG exports in 2023. Global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade reached a record high in 2022, averaging 51.7 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). 

Market Analysis by Application

ISO containers are made of stainless steel and coated with a plastic layer. They are designed to transport both hazardous and non-hazardous petrochemicals in bulk. In 2022, top three crude oil producing countries were United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia with a production of 756, 598, and 544 million tonnes of crude oil respectively. Some of the leading petrochemical manufacturers are Saudi Arabian Oil Co., China Petrochemical Corporation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, TotalEnergies SE, Chevron Corporation and Shell plc, among others.

The chemical industry increasingly relies on ISO tank containers for cost-efficient transport, enabling seamless intermodal transfers, reducing transhipment complexities, and eliminating packaging costs with their secure, ready-to-load design, thus positively impacting the ISO tank container market. The top five exporters of organic and inorganic chemicals, namely, China, the United States, Ireland, Switzerland, and Germany, accounted for 44.5% of global chemical exports in 2023.

Industrial gasses such as oxygen helium, and nitrogen can be safely and easily transported via specially designed ISO tank containers.

Some of the leading suppliers of oxygen and liquid nitrogen include Air Liquide, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Linde plc, and Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation, among others.

In 2023, Brothers Gas, a gas company in the Middle East awarded a contract to build Helium ISO tanks. Brothers Gas plans to invest USD 25 million into the helium business, which will be used for purchasing ISO tanks, helium dewars, transfill facilities, and other related activities.

ISO Tank Container Market Regional Insights

North America ISO Tank Container Market Opportunities

In 2023, food and beverage production sector contributed over USD 534.3 billion of GDP. The expanding food and beverage industry has increased the need for ISO tank containers to transport edible liquids like oils, syrups, and wine. 

According to Agriculture Canada, in 2022, the food and beverage processing industry ranked as the largest manufacturing industry by value, accounting for 1.7% of the national GDP.  

As per the ISO tank container market analysis, in 2022, exports of processed food and beverage products stood at USD 54.3 billion, a rise of 14.1% over 2021, and accounted for 7% of Canada’s total exports. ISO tanks are suitable for transporting food-grade liquids, such as edible oils, juices, ensuring their freshness and quality throughout the supply chain.

In 2023, crude oil production in the United States, including condensate, reached an average of 12.9 million barrels per day (b/d), surpassing the previous U.S. and global record of 12.3 million b/d set in 2019.

As per 2022 records, the U.S. chemical sector distributes over 70,000 diverse products to more than 750,000 end users throughout the country. Additionally, as per 2022 records, the chemical sector is deemed the largest exporting sector representing more than 9% of the US exports. 

Europe ISO Tank Container Market Dynamics

The Europe ISO tank container market is expanding due to rising environmental concerns. Under the Paris Agreement, companies must cut carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels to meet climate targets. ISO tank containers reduce up to 50% of carbon footprints on long-haul routes, increasing their adoption by logistics companies. 

In 2023, the total oil supply in Germany was recorded at 3,502,604 TJ, Also, in 2023, the total crude oil production in Germany was recorded at 1,14,526 TJ. 

Germany is the leading beer producer in Europe, with production reaching over 87.8 million hectolitres in 2022. ISO tanks are designed to securely store and transport liquids and gasses, minimising the risk of leaks and spills during transit, making it a suitable option for the petrochemical and beer sector. 

Asia Pacific ISO Tank Container Market Trends

Countries such as China and India are key markets for chemicals and petrochemical production and export. In 2022, China accounted for 44% of global chemical production, underscoring the need for reliable and efficient transport solutions such as ISO tank containers.

The belt and road initiative put forward by China to promote economic development and inter-regional connectivity in over 115 countries is creating greater opportunities for ISO tank containers due to its flexible transportation method, high safety and environmental protection characteristics. 

Some of the ISO tank container companies in China are NANTONG TANK CONTAINER CO., LTD (NTtank), Hubei Qixing Group and Shanghai Pacific International Container Co., Ltd. (SPIC).

As per 2024 records, India is considered the 6th largest chemical producer in the world and 3rd in Asia, contributing 7% to India’s GDP. In 2024, the Indian chemicals sector was valued at USD 220 billion and is expected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030 and USD 1 trillion by 2040. 

During FY25 (April-September), import of chemicals is expected to reach USD 15,021.0 million, while exports are expected to reach USD 10,569.1 million. The expansion of production and trade activities in the chemical sector is pushing the ISO tank container market growth.

Latin America ISO Tank Container Market Insights

As per 2024 data, the region handles 7% of global maritime trade. In 2023, key ports like Santos (4,284k TEU throughput) in Brazil, Manzanillo (3,699k TEU throughput) in Mexico Pacific and Cartagena Bay (3,299k TEU throughput) in Colombia were some of the busiest ports in the region.

Brazil has a strong chemical industry, comprising four major petrochemical complexes and 984 industrial chemical plants. In 2023, the industry achieved USD 167.4 billion in net sales.

Some of the leading ISO tank container operators in the country include Stolt-Nielsen Afretamento Brazil Ltda, M&S Logistics, and NewPort. 

In 2023, Mexico's chemical industry contributed around 1.3% to the country's GDP.

In 2023, chemical production reached USD 21.4 billion, with imports totaling USD 43.9 billion. Petrochemicals held the largest share, accounting for 22.2% of total chemical sales.

Middle East and Africa ISO Tank Container Market Drivers

Leading ports in 2023, such as Jebel Ali (13.97M TEU), Tanger Med (7.59M TEU), Jeddah (4.96M TEU), and Salalah (4.50M TEU) are located along key trade routes like the Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz, ensuring efficient chemical transport. 

According to 2023 data by the International Trade Administration, the UAE is among the world’s ten largest oil producers, with approximately 100 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, 96% of which are in Abu Dhabi. The UAE produces an average of 3.2 million barrels of petroleum and liquids per day. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a global leader in the industry, plans to increase its maximum sustainable production capacity to 5 million barrels by 2030, which will likely support the ISO tank container market.

As per 2024 data, Saudi Arabia contributes 10% in the global chemical trade. The Kingdom’s USD 600 billion petrochemical investment by 2030 aims to enhance downstream production and specialty chemical capacities.

According to the 2024 report, the country holds 17% of the world's identified petroleum reserves and is focusing on high-value downstream chemical exports.

Competitive Landscape

Other key players in the ISO tank container market are Welfit Oddy (Pty) Ltd., Stolt-Nielsen Limited, HOYER GmbH, Bertschi AG, and Bulkhaul Ltd., among others.

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ISO Tank Container Market Regional Analysis