Intermodal containers specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transport market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

The market for intermodal containers in Norway began the period at 115.2 million USD in 2018. Structural changes in the business sector, with fewer but larger units and bigger shipments, drove the development of more flexible carriers like containers. Simultaneously, state and private transport operators focused on optimizing intermodal solutions to increase container fill rates and reduce environmental impact, supporting market activity. However, the market volume declined to 91.5 million USD in 2019 and further to 84.6 million USD in 2020.

Recovery followed, with the market size rising to 111.9 million USD in 2021 and reaching 115.8 million USD in 2022, nearly matching the 2018 level. This rebound was influenced by the National Transport Plan 2022-2033, which highlighted international trends like the splitting of production processes and localization to favorable regions, affecting Norway's transport market and boosting intermodal container demand.

After 2022, import values for intermodal containers continued to grow, reaching 112.4 million USD in 2024, indicating sustained demand. This trend is shaped by the standardization of container sizes and infrastructure, as well as industry shifts toward digitalization and sustainability, which enhance the efficiency and appeal of intermodal transport.

Production intermodal freight containers in Norway

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Norway's production of intermodal containers, specially designed for transport across multiple modes, declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 50 938 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 25.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The peak occurred in 2019 at 68 678 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 27-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Norway produced 10 556 units of intermodal containers, a 69.7% drop from the prior year. The maximum was recorded in 2019 at 34 799 units, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 2,403.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in kind, 2017-2020, unit

Exports intermodal freight containers from Norway

Exports in kind, unit

In 2020, Norway exported 8 826 units of intermodal containers, a 36.2% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 35.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.4%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 13 840 units, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2017-2020, unit

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway's exports of intermodal containers were distributed across numerous markets. The United States accounted for 10.8% of exports, the United Kingdom for 9.6%, and the Netherlands for 8.9%, together making up 29.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Norway's export value of intermodal containers declined after a two-year uptick. In 2020, exports totaled 26 607 thousand US dollars, down 41.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 45 068 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 47.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the largest buyer of Norway's intermodal containers in value terms at 20.3%, followed by the United States at 19.0% and Germany at 7.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 46.9% of total export value, with many smaller partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Norway in value, 2017-2020

Imports intermodal freight containers to Norway

Imports in kind, unit

Norway's imports of intermodal containers declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports fell by 21.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 46.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2017-2020, unit

From 2017 to 2020, Poland was the leading source for Norway's imports of intermodal containers in kind at 20.4%, followed by Latvia at 17.3% and China at 14.1%. These three countries together represented 51.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Norway's import value of intermodal containers declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 60 310 thousand US dollars, a significant 11.1% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 26%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 84 035 thousand US dollars, the largest decline was in 2019 at 19.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Poland accounted for 16.5% of imports, China for 15.2%, and the United Kingdom for 12.0%, together totaling 43.6% of flows, with no single country holding a dominant position.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Norway in value, 2017-2020