CAI International
CAI International is a global intermodal container leasing and sales company operating over 4 million TEU across 48 countries. A wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., it serves 300-plus shipping lines, shippers, and logistics providers through tailored leasing and direct container sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CAI International does
CAI International, Inc. is a global intermodal container leasing and sales company founded in 1989 and headquartered in San Francisco. Following the January 2023 consolidation of Beacon Intermodal Leasing and the legacy CAI International under Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., the combined company operates a fleet of over 4 million TEU, making it the world's fourth largest container leasing company. CAI serves more than 300 customers—including major international container shipping lines, container operators, logistics providers, and global shippers—across a footprint that includes regional offices and over 300 depot facilities in 48 countries spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and South Asia.
The company's core offering is intermodal container leasing, structured through multi-year tailored contracts covering dry vans, refrigerated containers (reefers), flat racks, open tops, palletwides, roll trailers, and swap bodies. Container sales of new and used units provide a secondary, transactional revenue stream. Underlying technology includes a real-time equipment control system for fleet visibility and utilization tracking, plus online self-service tools—an online customer portal and a public Unit Inquiry system—that deliver inventory access, movement data, and customized reporting to lessees and depots. Distribution is enterprise-led, through direct sales representatives in key shipping locations augmented by depot partnerships and self-service digital channels.
CAI generates revenue primarily from recurring lease income on its 4M+ TEU fleet, supplemented by one-time container sales; pricing is quote-based, tailored to customer requirements, and not publicly disclosed. Following the 2023 merger, CAI is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 8593), a diversified global leasing group that also operates Jackson Square Aviation, PNW Railcars, Engine Lease Finance, and Mitsubishi HC Capital America. The competitive position rests on the scale of the post-merger fleet, the breadth of the depot and office network, and integrated customer-facing technology rather than any disclosed AI or data-automation layer.
CAI International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAI International
- Legal name
- CAI International, Inc.
- Website
- https://capps.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CAI International is a global intermodal container leasing and sales company operating over 4 million TEU across 48 countries. A wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., it serves 300-plus shipping lines, shippers, and logistics providers through tailored leasing and direct container sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAI International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Container Leasing Services
- NAICS
- Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing (5321), Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing (532411), Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (5324)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intermodal Container Leasing/Rental (ISO Containers) (TLABACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refrigerated Vehicles (Reefer Trucks/Vans) Leasing & Rental (TLABAEAA), Intermodal Equipment & Container/Chassis Pooling (Leasing/Management) (TLADAFAD), Container Chassis Leasing/Rental (Intermodal) (TLABACAA)
Keywords
Where CAI International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices19 records
Markets served
CAI International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Container Leasing: CAI's primary revenue stream from leasing intermodal containers to shipping lines, shippers, and logistics companies. The company offers flexible, tailored leases to meet strategic, operational, and financing requirements with a fleet exceeding 4 million TEU.
- Container Sales: Sales of new and used intermodal containers including dry vans, refrigerated containers, flat racks, open top containers, and specialized equipment. Revenue from one-time sales transactions of containers from their fleet.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom/Tailored pricing based on customer requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
CAI International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAI International leases and sells intermodal containers (dry vans, refrigerated units, flat racks, open tops, specialized equipment) to shipping lines, shippers, and logistics companies. The company operates a fleet of over 4 million TEU across a global network of offices and 300+ depot facilities in 48 countries, serving more than 300 enterprise customers with tailored leasing and sales solutions.
Product overview
CAI International is a diversified transportation company offering two core services: intermodal container leasing and container sales. The company operates a fleet of over 4 million TEU and serves over 300 customers including major shipping lines. Container leasing is their primary business with flexible, tailored lease terms. Container sales encompasses both new and used containers including dry vans, refrigerated units (reefers), flat racks, open top, palletwide, roll trailers, swap bodies, generator sets, and portable storage boxes. The company also provides self-service tools including a unit inquiry system and online customer reporting portal for inventory and movement tracking. All products are delivered through a global network of offices and depot facilities spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Intermodal Container Leasing Flexible, tailored leasing solutions for a fleet of over 4 million TEU of intermodal containers, serving over 300 customers including major shipping lines, shippers, and logistics companies worldwide.
- Container Sales Global sales of new and used intermodal containers including dry vans, refrigerated units, flat racks, open tops, palletwides, roll trailers, swap bodies, generator sets, and portable storage boxes for marine, land, and storage applications.
- Dry Van Containers Standard weather-proof containers available in 20' and 40' lengths (including high cube variants), used for marine and land transportation as well as static storage.
- Refrigerated Containers (Reefers) Temperature-controlled containers for shipping and storing perishable goods including food, chemicals, and medical supplies. Available in 20' and 40' high cube sizes.
- Flat Rack Containers Heavy-duty containers with steel end panels and wood deck designed for oversized loads, heavy equipment, machinery, and vehicle transportation. Available in 40' size.
- Open Top Containers Specialized containers with removable tarp cover for bulky and oversized cargo. Feature heavy-duty removable bows for easy top-loading.
- Palletwide Containers Containers with extra two inches of internal width to accommodate two Euro-sized pallets side by side. Optimized for consumer goods transport in Europe.
- Roll Trailers Flatbed trailers designed for roll on-roll off vessel operations and terminal use. Built for heavy industrial applications including machinery and oversized cargo.
- Portable Storage Boxes New portable storage dry vans designed for static storage applications. Available in multiple colors for different regional market preferences.
- Generator Sets Diesel-powered generator units that power refrigerated containers during overland and rail transport when ship's main power is unavailable.
- Swap Body Containers Specialized dry vans built for land transport within Europe. Often tailored with special doors, garment hanging systems, or keyhole systems for KEP and palletized markets.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serve over 300 container leasing customers including many of the world's largest shipping lines
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CAI International
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CAI International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
CAI International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.coreParent company of CAI International, a global leasing company based in Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 8593.T). MHC merged Beacon Intermodal Leasing and CAI International on January 1, 2023 to form the combined CAI entity. MHC provides strategic oversight and belongs to the Mitsubishi HC Capital Group which also includes Jackson Square Aviation, PNW Railcars, Inc., Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc., and Engine Lease Finance Corporation.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CAI International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Wells Fargo Equipment Finance: Equipment finance arms of major banks participate indirectly in container financing and operating lease structures, representing a capital-side adjacency relevant to lessors like CAI.
Direct peers
- Textainer Container Holdings: Textainer operates one of the world's largest fleets of leased intermodal containers and serves the same global shipping line customers as CAI, making it a directly comparable lessor with a similar revenue mix and operational profile.
- Florens Container Services: Florens (part of COSCO Shipping) is one of the largest container lessors worldwide and overlaps directly with CAI on intermodal container leasing to global shipping lines and freight operators.
- SeaCube Containers: SeaCube is a major container leasing specialist with a multi-million TEU fleet including refrigerated containers, directly competing with CAI for shipping line and logistics provider customers globally.
- Seacastle (formerly): Seacastle was a major US-listed container lessor (later absorbed into the MHC/Beacon ecosystem) and historically competed head-to-head with CAI in intermodal container leasing to major shipping lines.
- Triton Container International: Triton is one of the world's largest intermodal container lessors with a multi-million TEU fleet and a deep global depot network, directly comparable to CAI's core leasing business and customer base of major shipping lines.
- Beacon Intermodal Leasing: Beacon Intermodal Leasing was merged into CAI in 2023 under Mitsubishi HC Capital; it had been a directly comparable mid-sized lessor with overlapping shipping line customers and a similar fleet composition.
- Touax Container Solutions: Touax is a global container and modular leasing specialist providing both intermodal and specialized containers to logistics and shipping customers, making it a comparable leasing peer with a similar product portfolio to CAI.
Broad incumbents
- Maersk Container Industry: Maersk is the world's largest container shipping line and operates an internal container fleet and reefer manufacturing arm, making it a broad incumbent competing with lessors like CAI as both a customer substitute and occasional lessor.
Emerging players
- Bangkok Bank Container Leasing: Several Asia-based financial institutions operate captive container leasing books that overlap with CAI's mid-sized lessor competitors in dry van and reefer leasing to regional shipping lines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CAI International social profiles
Digital presenceCAI International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAI International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
CAI International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAI International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CAI International
What does CAI International do?
CAI International leases and sells intermodal containers (dry vans, refrigerated units, flat racks, open tops, specialized equipment) to shipping lines, shippers, and logistics companies. The company operates a fleet of over 4 million TEU across a global network of offices and 300+ depot facilities in 48 countries, serving more than 300 enterprise customers with tailored leasing and sales solutions.
Is CAI International a public or private company?
CAI International is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CAI International founded?
CAI International was founded in 1989. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CAI International based?
CAI International is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does CAI International make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Container Leasing is the primary driver. The others are container Sales.
Who are CAI International's main competitors?
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance is listed as an others. Direct peers are Textainer Container Holdings, Florens Container Services, SeaCube Containers, Seacastle (formerly), Triton Container International, Beacon Intermodal Leasing and Touax Container Solutions. Maersk Container Industry is listed as a broad incumbent. Bangkok Bank Container Leasing is listed as an emerging player.
Does CAI International have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAI International.
What industry is CAI International in?
CAI International's product category is Container Leasing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLABACAF, Intermodal Container Leasing/Rental (ISO Containers), with a secondary code of TLABAEAA, Refrigerated Vehicles (Reefer Trucks/Vans) Leasing & Rental. Its NAICS code is 5321 and its SIC code is 5013.