The global supply chain of old seems to be in an upheaval, and a growing stack of empty containers that cannot make their way home from American ports are likely contributing to an expanding global mismatch in supply and demand – adding to a possible crisis, which – some say – is hiding in plain sight. 

One-way may be the best way forward

For these reasons, the ever-changing world of global logistics is facing many new demands that an often-conservative container-shipping industry must adapt to keep up – including: the use of technology, fleet availability and flexibility as well as solutions that benefit the triple-bottom-line. 

This might explain why OVL Container’s CEO Osmo Lahtinen has seen a recent uptick in interest in one-way leasing. Lahtinen is not surprised though – and he argues that one-way leasing may just be the best way forward, with the developments happening in the global supply chain. He adds: 

“The one-way container leasing industry is highly equipped to handle the new requirements from the market and the supply chain – not least in terms of, say, fleet accessibility, the utilization of AI and the continued green transition. However, this requires breaking away from being considered a niche solution. This means that we, as specialists, must subvert expectations and misconceptions about the service. Not least among those, who still think it is primarily a tailor-made solution at a high-end price”. 

‘Next practice’ must become best practice 

Osmo Lahtinen and his company, OVL Container, are part of a highly specialized generation of emerging one-way leasing companies, including One Way Lease and Titan Containers, are spearheading a change within container shipping, where the ‘same-old, same-old’ no longer will suffice.

Right now, uncertainty is stalling the industry’s momentum, according to Maritime Analytica, and that uncertainty is driven by high freight costs, digitalization and sustainability investments. More of the same will not fix it, says Lahtinen. And this means that ‘next practice’ must become best practice. Now!

 “While we try to embody one-way leasing done right today, we are now more than anything determined to help embody what will be ‘next practice’ in container shipping, as a whole. This means embracing digital technology such as AI, while investing in an accessible depot network as well as a reliable fleet of green containers. And all this, without slapping on a premium price tag. Because – and let us be honest – price is still king with increasing port fees, inflation, and geopolitical risks”, Osmo Lahtinen adds. 

Key Facts and Figures

• Osmo Lahtinen founded the one-way container leasing specialists, OVL Container, in 2007.
• The WTO said global trade growth would have been +3%, but uncertainty alone has wiped out 1.5%.
• The Container xChange indicates that one-way container leasing is likely under 5% of the total market.