In 2019, Rogier Vervoort looked at the global shipping container industry and saw opportunity where others saw routine. Armed with over 30 years of hands-on experience, he founded Dutch Container Merchants with a clear mission: to become the most reliable partner for businesses navigating the complexities of international trade.
Operating from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, our company has grown into something truly special. A tight-knit family business where every member of our team is either related as family or in the close circle of friends. Having just moved into our spectacular new office, we’ve created a workspace that reflects our values: modern, efficient, and built around the relationships that drive everything we do.
Today, that vision has materialised into a premier force in the global shipping container industry, delivering comprehensive solutions across Europe, Northern America, Southern America, and Asia through three core pillars: trading, leasing, and innovative one-way services.
Mastering the fundamentals
At the heart of Dutch Container Merchants lies our trading expertise. The global container market is complex: a complicated web of supply, demand, quality variations, and regional preferences. Our trading knowledge covers this entire spectrum, from brand-new units fresh from manufacturing to carefully selected used containers that deliver exceptional value.
Working with trusted manufacturing partners in China and Vietnam, we oversee the production of high-quality new containers that meet international standards. This direct manufacturing approach allows us to control quality from the ground up, ensure competitive pricing, and maintain reliable supply chains for our clients.
Whether you’re a shipping line expanding your fleet, a logistics company investing in equipment, or a business needing containers for storage, conversion, or operational use, we deliver containers straight from our manufacturing network. We also trade in carefully selected used containers, applying the same quality standards to pre-owned units that we demand from our new production.
Our direct manufacturing relationships mean shorter lead times, better pricing, and complete transparency in the supply chain. Rather than acting as middlemen, we’re the source. Which translates to better value and more reliable delivery for our clients. From single container purchases to large fleet acquisitions, we handle everything from production oversight to global delivery.
Our leasing services offer businesses access to containers without the capital investment of purchasing. Think of it as renting containers for as long as you need them; whether that’s weeks, months, or years.
This is ideal for companies with seasonal shipping patterns, businesses testing new markets, or those who prefer operational flexibility over asset ownership. You get immediate access to quality equipment, predictable monthly costs, and the ability to scale your container capacity up or down based on business needs. At the end of the lease term, simply return the containers. No resale hassles, no depreciation concerns.
Sustainability and our carbon footprint
At Dutch Container Merchants, we are keenly aware of the environmental impact of global logistics. That’s why we actively consider our carbon footprint in every aspect of our operations. We strive to reduce our ecological impact through efficient supply chains, the reuse of containers, and partnerships with organisations that share our commitment to sustainability. By doing so, we contribute to a greener future for our industry and our clients.
Innovation through understanding
Understanding traditional markets also means recognising where they can evolve. This insight led us to develop our one-way container services. A solution born from observing a persistent industry challenge.
Here’s how it works: instead of leasing a container that you must return to its origin, you simply use the container for your shipment and leave it at the destination. No return logistics, no empty repositioning costs, no complex coordination to get containers back where they started.
This solution is perfect for businesses that need containers for single shipments, exporters moving goods to new markets, importers bringing in one-time shipments, or freight forwarders handling cargo that doesn’t require return logistics. You pay for the use of the container, not for bringing it back empty.
The power of personal connections
There’s something unique about doing business with a company where every team member is genuinely invested in your success. Not just professionally, but personally. Our team operates more like an extended family than a traditional corporation, and this shows in everything we do.
From our office in Amsterdam, we coordinate container solutions across four continents. But the real magic happens in the relationships: both within our team and with our clients. When you work with Dutch Container Merchants, you’re not dealing with anonymous customer service representatives or rigid corporate protocols. You’re working with people who care about getting it right, who take pride in solving complex logistics challenges, and who celebrate your successes as their own.
Global reach, personal service
What transforms good services into exceptional partnerships is execution. Through our extensive depot network and digital processes, we’ve created seamless experiences that span continents while maintaining personal touch.
Every container in our fleet – whether for trading, leasing, or one-way services – meets our exacting standards. CSC-certified, seaworthy, and ready for immediate use, we offer complete size ranges including 20ft, 40ft, High Cubes, and specialised units. Because global trade comes in all shapes and sizes, and so should solutions.
Our transparent approach means clear documentation, responsive communication, and no hidden fees across all services. When businesses partner with Dutch Container Merchants, they gain more than container access, they gain operational confidence.
Solving complex logistics puzzles
The true measure of our success lies in the diverse challenges we solve daily. Consider the North American importer needing reliable access to quality used containers for cost-sensitive cargo. Our trading expertise delivers exactly the right equipment at competitive prices.
Or the European logistics company requiring flexible container capacity for seasonal operations. Our leasing services provide the scalability they need without long-term commitments they don’t want.
Then there’s the freight forwarder in regions with chronic equipment imbalances, who discovers our one-way services transform their cost structure while simplifying their operations.
Each scenario requires different expertise, but all demand the same commitment to quality, reliability, and service that defines Dutch Container Merchants.
Partnership beyond transactions
We’ve always believed that the best business relationships transcend individual transactions. Whether supplying containers through trading, providing flexible access through leasing, or solving logistics challenges through one-way services, we approach every engagement as a partnership.
This philosophy extends to our work with logistics companies, freight forwarders, and supply chain experts. We’re not just equipment providers; We’re collaborators in efficiency, partners in growth, and allies in navigating the evolving landscape of global trade.
Need repositioning support? We coordinate seamlessly. Facing equipment flow challenges? Our global network provides solutions. Looking for reliable container supply across multiple service models? We deliver consistency you can plan around.
The future of container logistics
As international trade continues to evolve, Dutch Container Merchants remains committed to the principles that sparked our founding in 2019: unwavering quality, continuous innovation, and exceptional customer service.
Our comprehensive approach that combines deep trading knowledge, flexible leasing solutions, and innovative one-way services, positions us to meet whatever challenges the future brings. In an industry built on moving goods efficiently around the world, we’re focused on moving them smarter, more sustainably, and always in service of our partners’ success.
Because in global logistics, success isn’t just about having the right container. It’s about having the right partner.