Introduction
Wondering why modified container prices have fluctuated so much in recent years? You’re not alone.
At Conteneurs Experts, many of our clients ask this question — especially when comparing a current quote to prices they saw “before the pandemic.”
The reality is that container pricing is closely tied to global economic conditions, particularly to the price of steel — but also to logistics, geopolitical factors, and global demand.
In this article, we break down:
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How steel prices have evolved over the past 15 years
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How this affects the cost of containers
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The major price spikes and drops
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And how these trends directly impact your project today
Steel Pricing: A Key Indicator
Shipping containers are made of over 90% corten steel.
So it makes perfect sense that fluctuations in steel prices would directly affect container costs — especially for new units.
Here’s a snapshot of key historical trends:
| Time Period |
Steel Price Evolution |
| 2008–2009 |
Major drop during the global financial crisis |
| 2010–2011 |
Steady rise with economic recovery |
| 2015–2016 |
Global overproduction → prices fall |
| 2018–2019 |
U.S.–China trade tensions → market instability |
| 2020 |
Sharp drop due to pandemic shutdowns |
| 2021 |
Historic price spike (up to 6,200 Yuan/tonne) |
| 2022–2023 |
Gradual decline and stabilisation |
| 2024–2025 |
Modest fluctuations, still sensitive to global market shifts |
New vs. Used Container Prices: Two Different Realities
While connected to steel prices, container pricing follows its own market logic, influenced by supply, demand, and logistics capacity worldwide.
📈 New Containers (40 ft high cube):
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Pre-2020: roughly $3,000–$3,500 USD
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Peak in 2021: up to $10,000 USD in major ports (e.g. Shanghai, Rotterdam)
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2024–2025: stabilised around $4,500–$6,000 USD on average
📉 Used Containers (40 ft):
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Pre-2020: $1,800–$2,500 USD
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2021–2022: moderate increase, up to $3,500–$5,000 USD in some markets
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2024–2025: stabilised at $2,200–$3,000 USD on average
👉 The key takeaway: New container prices track closely with steel, while used containers are more affected by availability and local demand.
Other Key Influencing Factors
Beyond steel prices, several events and market forces have shaped container pricing in recent years:
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Global container shortage (2020–2021)
The pandemic disrupted supply chains and led to a scarcity of available containers, causing prices to soar.
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Port congestion and strained logistics
Delays, backlogs, and fleet imbalances added pressure to already limited supply chains.
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Surging demand for modified containers
As more businesses turned to container-based solutions, the increased demand drove prices upward — especially for quality units.
What This Means for You Today
As of 2025, container prices have returned to more stable levels, but they will likely never return to pre-2020 lows.
Why not?
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Production costs remain high (labour, energy, shipping)
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Global demand remains strong (for modular, eco-friendly, and rapid-build solutions)
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The market has adjusted to a new post-pandemic reality
At Conteneurs Experts, we continuously monitor market conditions and adjust our pricing accordingly — but always with transparency and consistency.
Conclusion
Understanding historical pricing trends helps you better understand what you’re paying for — and why.
The cost of a modified container isn’t arbitrary. It’s shaped by dozens of technical, economic, and logistical factors, many of which are global in scale.
At Conteneurs Experts, we believe that value matters more than price alone. That’s why we’re committed to delivering container solutions that are durable, well built, and fairly priced — no matter what the market is doing.
