GE SeaCo provides tank containers to its customers by lease. During the lease period, the customer operates and enjoys “quiet ownership” of the tank container until its return.  The economics of the leasing concept for the provision of capital equipment has a long history within industry. GE SeaCo and its associated Companies first started leasing containers in the 1960s and is now the world leader in specialised containers.   

Leasing activities are referred to using different descriptions throughout the world but all relate to the same service. The lease is often referred to as rent, for example, with the lease period as the hire period.      

GE SeaCo holds a stock of tank containers in a worldwide network of depots. These are immediately available to customers, through a lease contract, for a period to suit their needs.

The benefits to the customer of obtaining a tank container through a GE SeaCo Lease include:
- the prompt availability of a wide range of tanks expertly maintained and tested
- the variable terms of the period of use
- the economics of leasing and the GE SeaCo service

GE SeaCo also provides finance leases (lease purchase) where, on completion of the lease, the title of ownership passes to the customer. It is a competitive means of funding and frees up capital.

Other services include buy-lease back where GE SeaCo purchases an existing tank container fleet from the owner-user and then leases the tanks back. This provides capital to the owning company and the GE SeaCo service for the ongoing lease.

GE SeaCo makes the process of obtaining the tank container easy:

Customer Service

Customer-service managers are located worldwide, easy to contact, and able to arrange a visit to organise the lease and to provide ongoing service.  Certification of cleanliness and regulatory period testing, along with other documentation as required, is provided.

The tank fleet is managed by a real-time computer system, allowing bookings from any worldwide location.  

Technical Support

GE SeaCo is able to assist in selecting a tank according to the cargo to be transported and the regulations in the region of use.  Compliance with regulations and safety are prime concerns. Equally important are the efficiency and economics of use with GE SeaCo’s technical-sales personnel able to provide guidance to ensure optimum usage from the tank container.

Leasing Services

GE SeaCo provides a range of services, from supplying one single tank container to supplying major users with an entire fleet.

Fleet Management helps the customer obtain the most economical use of the tank container, from preventative maintenance to optimising payload. Engineering services are available for projects such as special modifications. Training Services ensure that the customer’s teams are fully informed. Damage-protection plans control costs and administration.

Worldwide Stocks

GE SeaCo has a large fleet of tank containers, positioned across the main locations of the world, and an ongoing new-manufacture programme. This ensures that customers, wherever they operate, are supplied from a fleet of young, well-maintained stock.

The Cost

The cost of leasing a tank container depends upon the tank type, lease location (s), quantity, lease period, and damage-protection plan option etc. There are additional start-up costs such as handling (lift) charges and condition-survey fees. On return of the tank container, there are also charges for cleaning, repair, handling and survey.

Typically, and for budgeting purposes, the Lease of a standard tank container costs US$ 5000 per annum. GE SeaCo customer service staff are able to provide quotations based upon specific circumstances.