Textainer leases 95% of its reefer containers

Textainer Group Holdings Limited, the world's largest lessor of intermodal containers based on fleet size, has reported that 770 units out of the 800 reefer containers initially purchased in January 2008 have been committed to leases with various shipping lines.

The company's first reefer container transaction has been completed with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). MOL is the world's 11th-largest container vessel operator and has committed to lease 300 High Cube 40-foot reefers.

As a result of this early success, Textainer has ordered another 1,000 High Cube 40-ft. reefers for delivery in May and June 2008. The reefer machinery will be supplied by Carrier, Daiken, and Thermo King.

“We have now placed 95% of our original order and are very pleased at our customers' support of our re-entry into the reefer market,” said John A. Maccarone, Textainer's president and chief executive officer. “Textainer expected a fairly modest capital expenditure of $30 million for reefers in 2008. Based on our initial success with the first units produced — and the recent new order — we may exceed that goal for the year.”