Shipping Container Chassis in the U.S.

The University of New Orleans Transportation Institute (UNOTI) examined the issues surrounding the current state of international chassis utilization in the United States (U.S.). The international chassis system in the U.S. is unique compared to global chassis utilization where the motor carriers, the freight customers, or off-site terminals provide chassis. However in the U.S., the divestment of international chassis by ocean carriers, which began in 2009, resulted in three major international chassis leasing companies linked to the foreign carriers. These lessors are the American shippers’ predominant provider of international chassis. The extra cost associated with the lack of international chassis lessor competition profits the foreign ocean carrier lines while raising costs for domestic consumers.