Interpool buyout offer

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of SeaCube Container Leasing for around US$467M.

Fred Bauthier, former vice president of marketing for Container Applications International (CAI), has formed a new container trading and leasing company called Equipe Container Services (ECS).

Industry-wide agreement on repair standards at container interchange could be a step closer following a move by members of the Container Owners Association (COA) to endorse a new set of inspection criteria for dry freight containers, designated the Common Interchange Criteria (CIC).

Reefer container demand held up strongly during 2007, prompting several high-profile lessors to dip their toes in the market for the first time.

With effect from November 1, Carlisle Leasing International and Interpool have been formally merged and rebranded as Seacastle Container Leasing.

The recent round of consolidation in the container leasing industry that has seen Interpool and Carlisle Leasing merged under the Seacastle Container Leasing banner and the 540,000 TEU Capital Lease fleet placed under management with Textainer would appear to have opened the door for new players to enter the market.