SOC containers at port

    Key Differentiator

    SOC Containers & One-Way Leasing

    Eliminate demurrage, detention and carrier equipment dependency across global trade lanes.

    Get a SOC Leasing QuoteExplore Stock

    Active in 87 countries · Direct depot access · Fast allocation

    Definition

    What Are SOC Containers?

    SOC (Shipper Owned Container) means the container is sourced independently, not provided by the shipping line.

    This shifts operational control from the carrier to the shipper.

    Carrier-owned containers (COC) typically enforce

    • Demurrage policies and port time limits
    • Detention structures at origin / destination
    • Mandatory empty repositioning requirements
    • Schedule dependency on carrier allocation

    Operational Impact

    • Shipper-defined timeline and use window
    • Reduced exposure to carrier detention fees
    • No mandatory empty return constraints
    • Routing flexibility independent of carrier equipment allocation

    Best suited for one-way, imbalance, and project-driven flows.

    How the move works

    An SOC one-way move, step by step

    The container leaves our depot, travels once on your booking, and stays with you at destination. No return leg, no repositioning obligation.

    01

    Depot release

    We allocate the units at the origin depot and issue the release order.

    02

    Pick-up and stuffing

    Your trucker collects the boxes. You load at your own pace, off the carrier clock.

    03

    Ocean leg

    The units sail as shipper-owned equipment on your chosen carrier booking.

    04

    Destination discharge

    Boxes are discharged and moved to your yard or consignee without a return window.

    05

    Handover

    Title or final drop-off is settled at destination. The move ends there.

    With SOC one-way

    One fixed price covers the box for the whole corridor. No detention clock, no empty return, no repositioning surcharge at destination.

    With carrier equipment

    The box must return to the carrier within a free-time window. Delays trigger detention and demurrage, and the return move is yours to organise.

    Actual routings, depots and transit times depend on the corridor and equipment availability at the time of booking.

    Strategic Advantage

    When SOC Becomes a Strategic Advantage

    Eligibility

    Is SOC one-way the right fit for you?

    SOC one-way leasing suits specific flow profiles. Below is what we look at before quoting a corridor.

    A good fit when

    • You ship on a corridor where carrier equipment is short or expensive.
    • Your cargo needs longer loading or unloading time than standard free time allows.
    • You move at least a few units per shipment and can confirm a booking window.
    • You are an exporter, importer, NVOCC or forwarder with a named consignee at destination.
    • You want a single landed cost per box instead of variable detention exposure.

    Less suitable when

    • You need one single box on an occasional, unplanned basis.
    • Your destination has no viable depot, yard or buyer for the unit.
    • You need the container back at origin, where long-term leasing fits better.

    If your flow sits outside these criteria, long-term leasing or a direct container purchase is usually the better route. We will tell you which one applies.

    What we need to confirm a corridor

    Route
    Origin and destination port or city, plus the intended carrier or service if already selected.
    Equipment
    Container type and grade, typically 20DC, 40HC or 40DC in cargo-worthy or one-trip condition.
    Volume
    Number of units per shipment and whether the flow is one-off or repeating.
    Timing
    Target pick-up window at the origin depot and expected sailing date.
    Company
    Registered company details and destination consignee. We work with business customers only.

    Not sure whether your corridor qualifies? Send us the route and we will confirm.

    Check my corridor

    One-way offers

    Receive our one-way offers for your routes

    Each week MG-Atlantic prepares one-way container offers. Choose the routes you work on: once your access is approved, you receive the offers that match them, with the pick-up charge per container.

    One-way offers by email

    Weekly · Access on approval

    • Routes you choose: port, country or region
    • Origin, destination and pick-up charge per container
    • Updated every week
    • Access reviewed by our team

    What an offer looks like

    ILLUSTRATIVE
    • Shanghai Rotterdam40HCUSD ···
    • Ningbo Los Angeles40HCUSD ···
    • Qingdao Hamburg20DCUSD ···
    Request access

    Prices are sent only to approved recipients, by email. None is published on the website.

    FAQ

    SOC Container Leasing – Frequently Asked Questions

    A Shipper Owned Container (SOC) is a container owned or leased independently by the shipper from a container provider like MG-Atlantic, rather than being supplied by the shipping line. This gives the shipper full control over the container usage, timeline, and costs.
    In most cases, yes. SOC leasing eliminates demurrage, detention, and repositioning charges that accumulate with carrier-owned containers. The total cost of ownership is typically lower, especially on routes with long transit times or in markets with high detention rates.
    Yes. SOC containers are carrier-independent. You can book them on any shipping line that accepts shipper-owned equipment, giving you full flexibility to choose the most competitive freight rates.
    Under SOC leasing, there is no carrier detention. The container is leased from MG-Atlantic with agreed terms. You control the timeline at destination without daily carrier fees.
    Yes. One-way leasing is one of our core services. You pick up a container at origin and drop it off at a depot near your destination, no return shipment required.
    Yes. MG-Atlantic works with partner depots in 87 countries. We can deliver or make containers available across all major trade lanes.
    Absolutely. Our listed stock represents a curated selection. We have access to a much wider inventory and can source specific container types, conditions, and locations on request.
    Yes. SOC leasing is particularly suitable for trading companies and high-volume operators who require flexible carrier selection, no detention exposure, predictable cost structure, and multi-route deployment. We regularly support structured, multi-country trading flows.

    Have a specific question about your route or volume? Request a tailored proposal.

    Get a quote

    Price your one-way corridor

    Send us the route, the equipment and the volume. We come back with an all-in price per unit, the available depots and a pick-up window, so you can compare it directly against carrier equipment.

    Get a quoteBrowse available stock
    • Response within one business day on most corridors.
    • Written quote with the price per unit and depot details, no obligation.
    • Direct contact with the team handling your file, from quote to release.

    What to include in your request

    1. 01Origin and destination, port or city.
    2. 02Container type, grade and number of units.
    3. 03Target pick-up date or sailing window.
    4. 04Company name and destination consignee.

    B2B only. Your details are used to prepare the quote and are never shared with third parties.