IC Transport 50: world’s largest specialized transport companies

Here, for the 18th time, we present the IC Transport 50 Index, a survey of the world’s largest specialized transport companies, the results of which suggests things in the industry are still more than just ticking along. Alex Dahm reports.

A transformer is moved via a a girder bridge and two tractor units Kahl in Germany moved a transformer using a girder bridge and two tractor units in a combination weighing a total of 502 tonnes. Photo: Kahl

Working with the full list of 79 entries for this year’s IC Transport 50, the total index figure has broken the 2 million tonnes barrier for the first time.

The total capacity of all the specialized transport equipment owned by all those companies is an impressive 2,069,217 tonnes, up by 5 per cent on the 1,967,780 tonnes of 2021.

It is even more impressive as there are three fewer companies in it this year, which is back down to the 2020 number. Five companies dropped out of the table and two were added. For a consistent approach, however, let’s look at some of the figures from the top 50.

This year’s top 50 total Index of 1,930,745 was up a healthy 4.47 % on the 1,848,104 of 2021. While there is a clear rise in the total capacity, changes in the equipment mix are less clear.

Modular equipment was up by just 0.6 % to 1,157,823 tonnes. Mind you, that is still nearly 7,000 tonnes more capacity than the year before.

Looking at specialized trailers there was a 12.5 % increase, totalling just over 85,000 tonnes, of extra capacity added during the year.

It should be noted that last year saw an uncharacteristic 10 % dip, presumably due to the covid pandemic, so this year could be taken as more of a correction than a double-digit percentage rise.

The same could be said for the number of depots, back up this year to 2,477, just above the 2020 total of 2,381, following a dip last year to 1,574. Employees were up too, by just over 6 %, to 49,530 in the top 50 companies.

Similarly, there was a 5.4 % increase in the number of tractor units, to a grand total of 26,105.

Who are the world’s largest specialized transport companies?

An unchanged top three is led by Mammoet which, despite a very slightly lower total than last year, enjoys a slightly increased lead by virtue of a marginally larger reduction for Sarens in second place.

Fagioli increased its fleet capacity and is closing on the heels of Sarens but not enough to alter position.

Looking at the rest of the top 10, Daseke has gained two places, not by expanding its fleet but as a result of the two companies previously immediately ahead of it reducing their capacity, pushing Landstar from 5th to 6th and All Erection from 4th to 7th.

A table pf the top 10 largest specialized transport companies Top 10 largest specialized transport companies

NTC from India also dropped a place, displaced by Maxim Crane from the USA which climbed an impressive five places from 10th. Barnhart in 9th similarly lost a place too, as did ATS Specialized rounding out the top 10.

Heading a bunch of relative newcomers to the table in the high 30s to mid-40s, is this year’s highest new entry, Integrated Logistics from Kuwait, in 44th place.

Trans-United from the USA has entered the top 50 at 49th, moving up from 52nd place last year and up from 60th a couple of years before that. Locar from Brazil has made a return to the top 50, where it was for many years before sitting just outside it for the last three years.

The transport 50

The Transport 50 Index is calculated using the total carrying capacity in metric tonnes of all specialized transport equipment in a company’s fleet. The two main sections are: specialized trailers; and modular trailers and SPMT.

It is very much a work in progress and will always be evolving and changing. We largely rely on the submission of entry forms completed by the companies listed. We are always interested to hear from companies that have not yet entered the Transport 50.

If yours is one of them, please let us know and look out for the 2023 Transport 50 entry forms and calls for entries on the KHL web site during the second quarter of the year.

You are welcome to inquire at any time about the next T50. Already a valuable reference, with your help the Transport 50 will continue to improve.

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D.Ann Shiffler Editor, American Cranes & Transport Tel: +1 512 869 8838 E-mail: [email protected]
Alex Dahm Editorial Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786206 E-mail: [email protected]
Niamh Marriott Deputy Editor Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786208 E-mail: [email protected]
Matt Burk VP Sales Tel: +1 773 610 9467 E-mail: [email protected]