Oklahoma
Population & Demographics
State: Oklahoma | Capital: Oklahoma City | Population (2025 est.): ~4.1 million | Region: South Central United States
Oklahoma sits at the crossroads of America’s freight network, strategically located between the Midwest and the Gulf Coast. With major interstates, rail hubs, and proximity to the Port of Catoosa, the state plays a key role in U.S. inland container transport, energy logistics, and manufacturing.
Businesses throughout Oklahoma—especially in energy, agriculture, and construction—depend on storage containers for secure, cost-effective, and mobile solutions to meet their operational needs.
Major Cities
Oklahoma City – The capital and largest city, home to key industries such as energy, aerospace, and logistics.
Tulsa – A major manufacturing, oil, and transport center with direct access to the Port of Catoosa.
Norman – Education and research hub, home to the University of Oklahoma.
Broken Arrow – Rapidly growing business center supporting manufacturing and retail logistics.
Lawton – Home to Fort Sill and strong in defense, manufacturing, and construction sectors.
Edmond – Fast-growing residential and commercial area near Oklahoma City.
Moore, Midwest City, Stillwater, and Enid – Industrial and agricultural cities supporting energy, education, and logistics operations.
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Major Companies in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s economy is powered by energy, manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, and logistics. Many of its largest employers use container storage solutions for field operations, material handling, and warehousing.
Devon Energy Corporation (Oklahoma City) – Oil and gas exploration
Chesapeake Energy (Oklahoma City) – Natural gas and energy
ONEOK, Inc. (Tulsa) – Natural gas infrastructure and pipelines
Williams Companies (Tulsa) – Energy transport and processing
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores (Oklahoma City) – Logistics and retail fuel
American Fidelity Assurance (Oklahoma City) – Financial services
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (Oklahoma City) – Distribution and retail logistics
NORDAM Group (Tulsa) – Aerospace manufacturing
Boeing (Oklahoma City Division) – Aerospace engineering and defense
Ditch Witch / Charles Machine Works (Perry) – Equipment manufacturing
OG&E (Oklahoma Gas & Electric) – Utilities and infrastructure
These companies rely on efficient containerized transport and on-site storage to support production, field operations, and large-scale construction projects.
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Imports, Exports, and Container Transportation in Oklahoma
While Oklahoma is landlocked, it maintains a powerful intermodal and port infrastructure that connects directly to national and international trade networks.
1. Ports and Waterways
Port of Catoosa (Tulsa Port of Catoosa):
One of the largest inland river ports in the U.S.
Connects via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.
Handles steel, machinery, fertilizer, oilfield equipment, grain, and manufactured goods.
Supports both import and export containerized cargo via barge and intermodal transfer.
Port of Muskogee:
Handles agricultural and industrial materials including chemicals, fertilizer, and petroleum products.
Provides barge access to Gulf ports and serves regional manufacturers.
2. Rail Transportation
Oklahoma has extensive Class I and short-line rail service linking the state to the Midwest, South, and West Coast.
Major carriers:
BNSF Railway
Union Pacific
Kansas City Southern (Canadian Pacific Kansas City)
Stillwater Central Railroad
Intermodal terminals in Tulsa and Oklahoma City handle domestic and international container transfers for manufacturers and distributors.
3. Highway and Trucking Network
Oklahoma’s central location makes it ideal for trucking and over-the-road container transport:
Major interstates: I-35, I-40, I-44, and I-240
Freight corridors link Oklahoma to Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Colorado.
Trucking companies move containerized freight between rail depots, manufacturing sites, and construction zones.
4. Air Freight
Will Rogers World Airport (Oklahoma City) and Tulsa International Airport both handle cargo operations, supporting express freight, containerized air shipments, and time-sensitive deliveries.
Top Imports and Exports
Imports
Industrial machinery and construction equipment
Steel and metal products
Chemicals, fertilizers, and petroleum components
Vehicles and transportation equipment
Consumer goods and electronics
Exports
Oil, gas, and refined petroleum products
Agricultural commodities (wheat, corn, cattle feed)
Aerospace components and manufactured goods
Machinery and fabricated metals
Plastics and industrial chemicals
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Common Uses of Storage Containers in Oklahoma
1. Oil & Gas Industry
Field offices and storage for drilling tools, pipes, and materials.
Mobile workshops for remote sites in western and southern Oklahoma.
Secure containment for lubricants, chemicals, and safety gear.
2. Agriculture & Farming
Grain, feed, and fertilizer storage on farms and ranches.
Equipment and tractor storage during the offseason.
Refrigerated containers for produce and dairy transport.
3. Construction & Infrastructure
On-site storage for tools, construction materials, and machinery.
Temporary offices and safety stations on job sites.
Secure storage for long-term infrastructure and highway projects.
4. Manufacturing & Logistics
Portable warehouse space near distribution centers and rail depots.
Inventory overflow storage for seasonal or large orders.
Modified containers for maintenance and equipment housing.
5. Emergency & Government
Disaster relief supply storage and mobile command units.
Secure staging for emergency and recovery operations.
Portable offices for infrastructure and public works departments.
6. Commercial & Residential Use
Storage during renovation, moving, or expansion.
Small business inventory management.
Converted units for pop-up shops, event spaces, or mobile offices.
Why Containers Work So Well in Oklahoma
Central location: Perfect for cross-country freight and container transfer.
Durability: Built to withstand Oklahoma’s variable weather—from high winds to heat.
Security: Heavy-duty steel design keeps valuables safe from theft and elements.
Mobility: Easy to deliver anywhere—rural oil fields, city projects, or farms.
Cost-effective: Provides quick, flexible storage without construction costs.
Oklahoma’s central U.S. location and strong transportation network make it a critical player in containerized trade, storage, and logistics.
From the Port of Catoosa and major rail hubs to highway freight corridors, the state offers seamless access for both imports and exports.
Whether for oil and gas operations, agriculture, construction, or logistics, shipping containers provide Oklahoma businesses with secure, weatherproof, and scalable solutions that keep their operations running efficiently.