Container Trading Explained: How KD MES Supports the Global Container Market

Global container trading market and shipping container supply chain

Container Trading: How the Global Shipping Container Market Works

Shipping containers are the backbone of global trade. Every day, millions of containers move goods across oceans, connecting manufacturers, exporters, and logistics companies around the world. Behind this global logistics system is an important industry known as container trading.

Container trading refers to the buying, selling, and repositioning of shipping containers across global markets. Because international trade flows are not balanced, containers often accumulate in certain regions while becoming scarce in others. Container trading companies help bridge this gap by redistributing container supply where it is needed most.

What is Container Trading?

Container trading is the business of purchasing containers in surplus markets and supplying them to regions where demand is higher. This activity helps maintain the balance of container availability worldwide and supports the efficient movement of cargo.

Typical container trading activities include:

• Purchasing new containers from manufacturers

• Trading used containers in the secondary market

• Repositioning containers between regions

• Supplying containers to exporters, logistics providers, and NVOCCs

Because global shipping routes are not always balanced, container trading companies play a key role in ensuring that containers are available where exporters need them.

Types of Containers in the Trading Market

Containers traded in the global market typically fall into several condition categories:

One Trip Containers
New containers that have been used only once to transport cargo from the manufacturing country.

IICL Containers
High-quality used containers that meet strict inspection standards set by the Institute of International Container Lessors.

Wind and Water Tight (WWT) Containers
Used containers that are structurally sound and suitable for storage.

AS-IS Containers
Containers sold in their current condition without repairs, often offered at a lower price.

These containers are used for a wide range of purposes including storage, export cargo, construction projects, and container modification.

The Role of Container Trading Companies

Container trading companies act as an important link between different players in the logistics industry. They connect container manufacturers, shipping lines, leasing companies, logistics providers, and exporters.

Their responsibilities typically include:

• global container sourcing

• inventory management

• container repositioning

• providing flexible supply solutions for exporters and logistics companies

By managing container availability across markets, trading companies help ensure that global trade continues to move efficiently.

KD MES and Our Experience in Container Trading

KD MES has been actively involved in the global container trading and leasing industry since 1997. Over the years, the company has built strong relationships with partners across major logistics markets worldwide.

To support customers in North America, KD MES USA operations were established in 2007, with offices in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Since then, the company has been working closely with U.S. exporters, logistics companies, and NVOCCs.

KD MES is also an active member of the NPSA (National Portable Storage Association) from 2007, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the portable storage and container industry in the United States.

Today, KD MES continues to expand its presence in the U.S. market by providing flexible container supply solutions and supporting international cargo movements through SOC container programs and container trading activities.

Supporting U.S. Exporters with Flexible Container Solutions

The United States is one of the most important container markets in the world. Due to large import volumes, containers often accumulate in the U.S., creating opportunities for container trading and repositioning.

KD MES USA supports this market by working with:

• exporters

• NVOCCs

• logistics providers

• container users across various industries

Through our experience in container trading and leasing, we aim to provide reliable container supply and flexible solutions for international shipments.

KD MES’s Advantage in the U.S. Market

One of the most important factors in the container trading business is how efficiently containers can be sourced from Asia, where most new containers are manufactured.

In the U.S. market, container prices can vary significantly depending on the supply chain between manufacturers and buyers. Companies that rely on multiple intermediaries often face higher costs.

At KD MES, we focus on building strong relationships directly with container manufacturers through our global network. By sourcing containers directly from factories through our affiliated operations in Asia, we are able to secure competitive supply and bring those advantages to the U.S. market.

This approach allows us to provide containers at more competitive and transparent pricing, similar to sourcing directly from the factory, while still maintaining reliable supply in major U.S. locations.

Through this global sourcing capability, KD MES USA continues to support exporters, NVOCCs, and container users with cost-effective container solutions.

Contact KD MES USA

If you are interested in container trading opportunities or need shipping containers for export or storage, please feel free to contact us.

KD MES USA, Inc.
14715 S Western Ave
Gardena, CA 90249
USA

Phone: +1 310-516-9600
Email: usa@kdmes.com