Drewry: Smart container fleet to expand six-fold over the next five years

The global telematics enabled equipment fleet is forecast to grow six-fold over the next five years and account for up to 30% of global box inventories by 2027, according to Drewry’s Container Census & Leasing Annual Review & Forecast 2023/24 report.

Smart containers have increased in popularity recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the supply chain disruption which showed the need for better cargo visibility to cope with longer and more volatile transit times.

The adoption of smart containers will accelerate in the next five years as device costs fall and first mover carriers challenge others to follow, noted the consultant.