About 40% of the shipping containers worldwide are leased, while 60% are owned by shipping lines. This book analyzes the motivations behind the buy or lease decision generally, as well as special aspects in container shipping. Based on the status of research, the author performs new macro- and microeconomic regression analyses to identify variables affecting these decisions. A shipping line survey provides further detailed insights. Notably, the author presents an enhanced model for the evaluation of the buy or lease decision that integrates financial, logistical and macroeconomic variables into the analysis. This book enables both shipping lines and container leasing firms to optimize their decisions.