CAI International (CAI) 10-K 28 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CAI International, Inc.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001388430	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$405.70
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	22,240,673	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'		'
Cash	$31,141		$13,976
Cash held by variable interest entities	14,600		3,695
Accounts receivable (owned fleet), net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $503 and $794 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	41,226		32,627
Accounts receivable (managed fleet)	10,646		19,131
Current portion of direct finance leases	12,998		10,625
Prepaid expenses	14,803		11,952
Deferred tax assets	311		2,189
Other current assets	5,242		919
Total current assets	130,967		95,114
Restricted cash	9,253		4,376
Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation $210,165 and $147,654 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,465,092		1,210,234
Net investment in direct finance leases	68,210		74,929
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,697 and $1,254 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,390		1,847
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $8,288 and $7,447 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	677		1,441
Total assets	1,675,589	[1]	1,387,941	[1]
Current liabilities	'		'
Accounts payable	8,002		5,985
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,082		8,465
Due to container investors	14,815		18,589
Unearned revenue	6,862		7,893
Current portion of debt	74,080		61,044
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,921		2,242
Rental equipment payable	45,181		2,561
Total current liabilities	156,943		106,779
Debt	1,058,628		888,990
Deferred income tax liability	41,378		40,051
Capital lease obligations	3,366		5,084
Income taxes payable	148		192
Total liabilities	1,260,463	[2]	1,041,096	[2]
Stockholders' equity	'		'
Common stock: par value $.0001 per share; authorized 84,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 22,240,673 and 22,052,529 shares at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , respectively	2		2
Additional paid-in capital	184,263		181,063
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,356		-2,917
Retained earnings	232,623		168,697
Total CAI stockholders' equity	414,532		346,845
Non-controlling interest	594		'
Total stockholders' equity	415,126		346,845
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,675,589		$1,387,941
[1]	Total assets at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 include the following assets of certain variable interest entities (VIEs) that can only be used to settle the liabilities of those VIEs: Cash, $14,600 and $3,695; Net investment in direct finance leases, $137 and $0; and Rental equipment net of accumulated depreciation, $84,107 and $62,286, respectively.
[2]	Total liabilities at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 include the following VIE liabilities for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to CAI International, Inc.: Debt, $101,269 and $75,200, respectively.

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts (owned fleet)	$503	$794
Accumulated depreciation on container rental equipment	210,165	147,654
Accumulated depreciation on furniture, fixtures and equipment	1,697	1,254
Accumulated amortization on intangible assets	8,288	7,447
Cash attributable to variable interest entities	14,600	3,695
Net investment in direct financial leases	137	0
Rental equipment attributable to variable interest entities, net of accumulated depreciation	84,107	62,286
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	'	'
Collateralized financing obligations	$101,269	$75,200
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	84,000,000	84,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	22,240,673	22,052,529
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	22,240,673	22,052,529

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue	'	'	'
Rental revenue	$196,591	$152,982	$106,694
Management fee revenue	7,866	12,094	12,957
Gain on sale of equipment portfolios	'	1,256	2,345
Finance lease income	7,948	7,593	3,710
Total revenue	212,405	173,925	125,706
Operating expenses	'	'	'
Depreciation of rental equipment	67,109	48,352	33,633
Amortization of intangible assets	780	902	1,254
Gain on disposition of used rental equipment	-7,356	-12,445	-13,374
Storage, handling and other expenses	19,257	9,402	5,513
Marketing, general and administrative expense	23,848	24,658	21,009
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange	82	170	-354
Total operating expenses	103,720	71,039	47,681
Operating income	108,685	102,886	78,025
Interest expense	36,005	28,796	16,139
Write-off of deferred financing costs	1,108	'	'
Interest income	-5	-9	-12
Net interest expense	37,108	28,787	16,127
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	71,577	74,099	61,898
Income tax expense	7,057	9,818	11,084
Net income	64,520	64,281	50,814
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	-594	-816	-625
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$63,926	$63,465	$50,189
Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$2.89	$3.26	$2.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$2.82	$3.18	$2.55
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	22,157	19,495	19,295
Diluted (in shares)	22,672	19,945	19,693

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$64,520	$64,281	$50,814
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	561	464	-871
Comprehensive income	65,081	64,745	49,943
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	-594	-816	-625
Comprehensive income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$64,487	$63,929	$49,318

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Balances at Dec. 31, 2010	$2	$127,064	$55,043	$18,075	($2,510)	$197,674
Balances (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	19,295,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	50,189	625	'	50,814
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'	-871	-871
Stock based compensation	'	1,119	'	'	'	1,119
Balances at Dec. 31, 2011	2	128,183	105,232	18,700	-3,381	248,736
Balances (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	19,295,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	'	'	63,465	816	'	64,281
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'	464	464
Deconsolidation of non-controlling interest	'	49	'	-19,516	'	-19,467
Issuance of common stock, net of underwriting discount and offering expenses	'	51,543	'	'	'	51,543
Issuance of common stock, net of underwriting discount and offering expenses (in shares)	2,757,000	'	'	'	'	2,757,170
Stock based compensation	'	1,288	'	'	'	1,288
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	2	181,063	168,697	'	-2,917	346,845
Balances (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	22,052,000	'	'	'	'	22,052,529
Net income	'	'	63,926	594	'	64,520
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'	561	561
Exercise of stock options	'	1,524	'	'	'	1,524
Exercise of stock options (shares)	160,000	'	'	'	'	'
Stock issuance costs	'	-155	'	'	'	-155
Stock based compensation -options	'	1,429	'	'	'	1,429
Stock based compensation - restricted stock	'	107	'	'	'	107
Stock based compensation - restricted stock (shares)	28,000	'	'	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation awards	'	295	'	'	'	295
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$2	$184,263	$232,623	$594	($2,356)	$415,126
Balances (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	22,240,000	'	'	'	'	22,240,673

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'	'
Net income	$64,520	$64,281	$50,814
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation	67,631	48,849	34,078
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,780	2,643	1,421
Amortization of intangible assets	780	902	1,254
Stock-based compensation expense	1,536	1,288	1,119
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange	-282	244	-215
Gain on sale of equipment portfolios	'	-1,256	-2,345
Gain on disposition of used rental equipment	-7,356	-12,445	-13,374
Deferred income taxes	3,205	6,014	3,883
Bad debt (recovery) expense	-227	29	-936
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	7,404	-10,492	-3,842
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-3,136	-1,814	1,406
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-8,839	9,016	933
Due to container investors	-3,774	-1,524	-3,170
Unearned revenue	-1,056	1,095	1,079
Net cash provided by operating activities	124,186	106,830	72,105
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Purchase of rental equipment	-312,144	-524,354	-491,780
Net proceeds from sale of equipment portfolios	'	10,320	24,886
Net proceeds from disposition of used rental equipment	33,069	44,306	30,824
Purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment	-60	-249	-147
Receipt of principal payments from direct financing leases	12,329	8,758	6,080
Net cash used in investing activities	-266,806	-461,219	-430,137
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from debt	588,870	1,035,381	558,401
Principal payments on debt	-406,961	-699,161	-197,901
Repurchase of noncontrolling interest	'	-19,467	'
Debt issuance costs	-6,595	-6,436	-1,853
Increase in restricted cash	-4,877	-3,777	-599
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	'	51,543	'
Stock issuance costs	-155	'	'
Exercise of stock options	1,524	'	'
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation awards	295	'	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	172,101	358,083	358,048
Effect on cash of foreign currency translation	-1,411	-101	-331
Net increase (decrease) in cash	28,070	3,593	-315
Cash at beginning of the period	17,671	14,078	14,393
Cash at end of the period	45,741	17,671	14,078
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'	'
Income taxes	5,122	3,312	6,983
Interest	32,267	24,087	12,475
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activity	'	'	'
Transfer of rental equipment to direct finance lease	32,001	56,426	31,158
Transfer of direct finance lease to rental equipment	30,118	'	'
Payment of revolving credit facility from term loan	'	$20,000	'

The_Company_And_Nature_Of_Oper

The Company And Nature Of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
The Company And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]	'
The Company And Nature Of Operations	'
	(1)The Company and Nature of Operations
	CAI International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, CAI or the Company) operate primarily in the international intermodal marine cargo container leasing business. The Company also owns a fleet of railcars, which it leases in North America. The Company generates revenue from two reportable segments: equipment leasing and equipment management. The equipment leasing segment specializes primarily in the ownership and leasing of intermodal containers, while the equipment management segment manages equipment for third-party investors. The Company leases its equipment principally to international container shipping lines located throughout the world. The Company sells equipment primarily to third-party investor groups and provides management services to those investors in return for a management fee.
	The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAP”. The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco, California.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	(2)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	(a)   Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and its 80% owned subsidiary, CAIJ, Inc. (CAIJ). The equity attributable to the minority interest in CAIJ is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and the related net income is presented as net income attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The non-controlling interest in CAIJ was immaterial and not included in the consolidated financial statements for all prior periods. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The Company regularly performs a review of its container fund arrangements with investors to determine whether a fund is a variable interest entity (VIE) and whether the Company has a variable interest that provides it with a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of the VIE in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation. If the fund is determined to be a VIE, a further analysis is performed to determine if the Company is a primary beneficiary of the VIE and meets both of the following criteria under Paragraph 14A of ASC 810:
		·		it has power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and
		·		it has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
	If in the Company’s judgment both of the above criteria are met, the VIE’s financial statements are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as required under ASC 810. The equity attributable to the VIE is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and the after tax result attributable to its operations is shown as a net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statement of income. (See Note 3).
	(b)   Use of Estimates
	Certain estimates and assumptions were made by the Company’s management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, allowances for receivables, the carrying amount of rental equipment, the residual values and lives of rental equipment, impairment of intangible assets, the carrying amount and lives of intangible assets and income tax uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	(c)  Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
	Furniture, fixtures, office equipment and software, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of five years with no salvage value.  Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the respective lease life.
	(d)   Rental equipment
	The Company depreciates its rental equipment over its estimated useful life to its estimated fixed residual value using the straight line method of depreciation. During the first quarter of 2012, the Company completed a review of historical disposal experience relating to its fleet of container equipment and concluded that the estimated residual values and depreciable lives used in its depreciation calculations should be amended effective January 1, 2012. The following table shows the current and prior residual values and depreciable lives that the Company adopted for each type of equipment:
			Residual Value				Depreciable Life in
							Years
			Current		Prior		Current		Prior
	20-ft. standard dry van container		$	1,050	$	950		13.0		12.5
	40-ft. standard dry van container		$	1,300	$	1,150		13.0		12.5
	40-ft. high cube dry van container		$	1,650	$	1,300		13.0		12.5
	20-ft. refrigerated container		$	2,750	$	2,250		12.0		12.0
	40-ft. high cube refrigerated container		$	3,500	$	3,000		12.0		12.0
	The residual values, which range from $1,000 to $3,500, and depreciable lives, of between 12.5 years and 15 years, for other specialized containers remain unchanged.
	The above changes reduced the Company’s depreciation expense and increased pre-tax income by approximately $9.5 million, which included the impact of lower depreciation on equipment purchased during 2012, increased net income by approximately $8.3 million and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.41 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Railcar equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life of between 40 and 43 years, to its estimated residual value using the straight-line method.
	(e)   Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	On at least an annual basis, the Company evaluates its rental equipment fleet to determine whether there have been any events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of all, or part, of its fleet may not be recoverable. Events which would trigger an impairment review include, among others, a significant decrease in the long-term average market value of rental equipment, a significant decrease in the utilization rate of rental equipment resulting in an inability to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods, or a change in market conditions resulting in a significant decrease in lease rates.
	When testing for impairment, equipment is generally grouped by rental type, and is tested separately from other groups of assets and liabilities. Potential impairment exists when the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated by an asset group, comprised of lease proceeds and residual values, less operating expenses, are less than the carrying value of that asset group. If potential impairment exists, the equipment is written down to its fair value. In determining the fair value of an asset group, the Company considers market trends, published value for similar assets, recent transactions of similar assets and in certain cases, quotes from third party appraisers. The Company currently does not consider any asset group to have a book value that is not recoverable, or close to being not recoverable, based on its expectation of future undiscounted cash flows.
	(f)   Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company amortizes intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
	Trademarks	1-10 years
	Contracts-third party	7 years
	Contracts and customer relationships-owned equipment	5-7 years
	(g)   Finance Leases
	Interest on finance leases is recognized using the effective interest method. Lease income is recorded in decreasing amounts over the term of the contract, resulting in a level rate of return on the net investment in direct finance leases.
	(h)   Debt Fees
	To the extent that the Company is required to pay issuance fees or direct costs relating to its credit facilities, such fees are amortized over the lives of the related debt using the straight line method and reflected in interest expense.
	(i)   Foreign Currency Translation
	The accounts of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been converted at rates of exchange in effect at year-end for balance sheet accounts and average exchange rates for the year for income statement accounts. The effects of changes in exchange rates in translating foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements are included in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.
	(j)   Accounts Receivable (Owned Fleet)
	Amounts billed under operating leases for equipment owned by the Company are recorded in accounts receivable (owned fleet). The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable it does not consider fully collectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is developed based on two key components: (1) specific reserves for receivables for which management believes full collection is doubtful; and (2) a general reserve for estimated losses inherent in the receivables. The general reserve is estimated by applying certain percentages to receivables that have not been specifically reserved, ranging from 1.0% on accounts that are one to thirty days overdue, to 100% on accounts that are one year overdue. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed regularly by management and is based on the risk profile of the receivables, credit quality indicators such as the level of past due amounts and non-performing accounts and economic conditions. Changes in economic conditions or other events may necessitate additions or deductions to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is intended to provide for losses inherent in the owned fleet’s accounts receivable, and requires the application of estimates and judgments as to the outcome of collection efforts and the realization of collateral, among other things.
	(k)   Accounts Receivable (Managed Fleet)
	Amounts billed under operating leases for equipment owned by third-party investors are recorded in accounts receivable (managed fleet) with a corresponding credit to due to container investors account. The credit risk on accounts receivable related to managed equipment is the responsibility of the third-party investors. Under the Company’s management agreements with investors, the third-party investors are obligated to reimburse the Company for any amounts the Company had previously paid to them in advance of receiving the amount from the equipment lessee if the Company is unable to ultimately collect any amount due from a managed equipment lessee.
	(l)   Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for using the asset-and-liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be recovered.
	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense. (See Note 9)
	(m)   Revenue Recognition
	The Company provides a range of services to its customers incorporating rental, sale and management of equipment. Revenue for all forms of service is recognized when earned following the guidelines under FASB ASC 605, Revenue Recognition and FASB ASC 840, Leases. Revenue is reported net of any related sales tax.
	Rental Revenue
	Rental revenue arises from renting equipment owned by the Company to various lessees. Rental agreements are typically leases with a fixed term of between one and eight years or short-term master lease agreements where there is no term and the equipment can be returned at any time without penalty. Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis for master lease agreements as these agreements have no fixed term. For long-term leases, revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis when earned according to the terms of the rental contracts. These contracts are classified as operating leases. Early termination of the rental contracts subjects the lessee to a penalty, which is included in rental revenue upon such termination.
	Included in rental revenue is revenue consisting primarily of fees charged to the lessee for handling, delivery, repairs, and fees relating to the Company’s damage protection plan, which are recognized as earned.
	Management Fee Revenue and Gain on Sale of Equipment Portfolios
	In addition to renting equipment, the Company sells leased equipment portfolios to third-party investor groups. After the date of sale, the Company generally manages the equipment sold to the investor group. The Company has determined that the two deliverables under the arrangements, the sale of the equipment and the management services, are separate units of accounting, thus revenue is recognized for each unit.
	In accordance with FASB ASU 2009-13, Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, the Company determines if revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables should be considered separate units of accounting if the deliverables meet both of the following criteria:
	a.The delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis, that is, it can be sold separately by any vendor or the customer could resell the delivered items on a standalone basis. In the context of the customer’s ability to resell the delivered items, this criterion does not require the existence of an observable market for the deliverable.
	b.If the arrangement includes a right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in the control of the vendor.
	In applying the guidance, separate contracts entered into at or near the same time with the same entity or related parties are presumed to have been negotiated as a package and should be evaluated as a single arrangement in considering whether there are one or more units of accounting.
	The Company evaluates all deliverables in an arrangement at the inception of the arrangement and as each deliverable is delivered to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. The criteria for dividing an arrangement into separate units of accounting are applied consistently to arrangements with similar characteristics and in similar circumstances.
	A delivered item that does not qualify as a separate unit of accounting within the arrangement is combined with other undelivered item(s) within the arrangement. The allocation of arrangement consideration and the recognition of revenue is determined for those combined deliverables as a single unit of accounting.
	If the Company concludes that the sale of equipment and the management services can be accounted for separately, the Company recognizes gain on sale of equipment portfolios when the sale of the equipment is completed. The gain is the difference between the sales price and the net book value of the equipment sold.
	The Company recognizes revenue from management fees earned under equipment management agreements as earned on a monthly basis. Management fees are typically a percentage of net operating income of each investor group’s fleet calculated on an accruals basis. Included in the Company’s balance sheet are accounts receivable from the managed fleet which are uncollected lease billings related to managed equipment. With the exception of equipment managed under pooling agreements, all direct costs (storage, repairs, repositioning etc.) are charged to investors on a specific-identification basis or allocated basis. The Company’s financial statements include accounts payable and accruals of expenses related to managed equipment. The net amount of rentals billed less expenses payable, less management fees, is recorded in amounts due to container investors on the balance sheet.
	(n)   Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has granted stock options and restricted stock to certain directors and employees under its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires that compensation cost related to stock-based compensation be recognized in the financial statements.  The cost is measured at the date the award is granted based on the fair value of the award. The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the grant. (See Note 8)
	(o)   Repairs and Maintenance
The Company’s leases generally require the lessee to pay for any damage to the equipment beyond normal wear and tear at the end of the lease term. The Company accounts for repairs and maintenance expense on an accrual basis when an obligation to pay has been incurred.
(p)   Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to increase the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements. Under this guidance, an entity has the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. The option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity has been eliminated. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The implementation of the accounting guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation_Of_Variable_Inte

Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest [Abstract]	'
Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest	'
	(3)Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities as a Non-Controlling Interest
	The Company currently enters into two types of container fund arrangements with investors which are reviewed under ASC 810, Consolidation. These arrangements include container funds that the Company manages for investors and container funds that have entered into financing arrangements with investors. Included among several of the funds that the Company manages, and all of the funds under financing arrangements, are Japanese container funds that were established by a related party under separate investment agreements allowed under Japanese commercial laws (see Note 12). Each of the funds is financed by unrelated Japanese third party investors.
	Managed Container Funds
	All container funds under management by the Company are considered VIEs because as manager of the funds, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance including the leasing and managing of containers owned by the funds. With the exception of two specific Japanese funds established in September 2010, the fees earned for arranging, managing and establishing the funds are not significant to the expected returns of the funds so the Company does not have a variable interest in the funds. The rights to receive benefits and obligations to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the funds belong to the third party investors, so the Company concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the funds. With the exception of the sale of containers to the two Japanese funds established in September 2010, the Company recognizes gain on sale of containers to the unconsolidated VIEs as sales in the ordinary course of business. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company sold $10.3 million and  $24.9 million, respectively, of equipment portfolios to the Japanese VIEs and recognized gains on sale of $1.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively.  No container portfolios were sold to the Japanese VIEs in the year ended December 13, 2013.
	In September 2010, the Company transferred approximately $16.0 million of containers to two specific Japanese funds that were considered VIEs. The terms of the transaction included options for the Company to purchase the containers from the funds at a fixed price. As a result of the residual interest resulting from the fixed price call option, the Company concluded that it may absorb a significant amount of the variability associated with the funds’ anticipated economic performance and as a result the Company had a variable interest in the funds. As the Company had the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted the economic performance of the VIEs and the variable interest provided the Company with the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the funds, the Company determined that it was the primary beneficiary of these two specific VIEs and included the VIEs’ assets and liabilities, results of operations and cash flows in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The container equipment, cash held by the container funds and net investment in direct finance leases, were included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with the offsetting equity related to the funds presented separately as non-controlling interest.
	During the third quarter of 2012, the Company terminated its management agreements with the two Japanese VIEs and purchased all the container equipment legally owned by them.  As the Company previously consolidated these two Japanese VIEs, the purchase of the containers was considered a repurchase of the non-controlling interest for accounting purposes.  The Company paid cash of $15.3 million and contributed cash and other assets from the two Japanese VIEs of $4.2 million in consideration for the non-controlling interest of $19.5 million. No gain or loss was recognized by the Company upon the repurchase of the non-controlling interest and subsequent deconsolidation of the two Japanese VIEs.   The results of the VIEs’ operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income until the date of deconsolidation.  Net income of $0.8 million and  $0.6 million attributable to the two Japanese funds, is presented as net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Collateralized Financing Obligations
	During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company transferred containers with a total net book value of $94.9 million to Japanese investor funds while concurrently entering into lease agreements for the same containers, under which the Company leases the containers back from the Japanese investors.  In accordance with ASC 840, Sale-Leaseback Transactions, the Company concluded these were financing transactions under which sale-leaseback accounting was not applicable.
	The container funds under financing arrangements are considered VIEs under ASC 810 because as lessee of the funds, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact each entity’s economic performance including the leasing and managing of containers owned by the funds. The terms of the transactions include options for the Company to purchase the containers from the funds at a fixed price. As a result of the residual interest resulting from the fixed price call option, the Company concluded that it may absorb a significant amount of the variability associated with the funds’ anticipated economic performance and as a result the Company has a variable interest in the funds. As the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs and the variable interest provides the Company with the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the funds, the Company determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and included the VIEs’ assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of the VIE’s operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The containers that were transferred to the Japanese investor funds had a net book value of  $84.2  million as of December 31, 2013. The container equipment, together with $14.6 million of cash held by the investor funds, has been included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with offsetting liability related to the funds presented as collateralized financing obligations of $101.3 million in the debt section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. See Note 7(f) for additional information. No gain or loss was recognized by the Company on the initial consolidation of the VIEs.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases	'
	(4)Net Investment in Direct Finance Leases
	The following table represents the components of the Company’s net investment in direct finance leases (in thousands):
			December 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Gross finance lease receivables (1)		$	103,887		$	116,999
	Unearned income (2)			-22,679			-31,445
	Net investment in direct finance leases		$	81,208		$	85,554
		-1		At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivable is reduced as customer payments are received.  Approximately $0.1 and $9.1 million of unguaranteed residual value at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
		-2		The difference between the gross finance lease receivable and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	In order to estimate the allowance for losses contained in the gross finance lease receivables, the Company reviews the credit worthiness of its customers on an ongoing basis. The review includes monitoring credit quality indicators, the aging of customer receivables and general economic conditions.
	The categories of gross finance lease receivables based on the Company's internal customer credit ratings can be described as follows:
	Tier 1— These customers are typically large international shipping lines that have been in business for many years and have world-class operating capabilities and significant financial resources. In most cases, the Company has had a long commercial relationship with these customers and currently maintains regular communication with them at several levels of management, which provides the Company with insight into the customer's current operating and financial performance. In the Company's view, these customers have the greatest ability to withstand cyclical down turns and would likely have greater access to needed capital than lower-rated customers. The Company views the risk of default for Tier 1 customers to range from minimal to modest.
	Tier 2— These customers are typically either smaller shipping lines or freight forwarders with less operating scale or with a high degree of financial leverage, and accordingly the Company views these customers as subject to higher volatility in financial performance over the business cycle. The Company generally expects these customers to have less access to capital markets or other sources of financing during cyclical down turns. The Company views the risk of default for Tier 2 customers as moderate.
	Tier 3— Customers in this category exhibit volatility in payments on a regular basis.
	Based on the above categories, the Company's gross finance lease receivables were as follows (in thousands):
			December 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Tier 1		$	85,990		$	98,611
	Tier 2			17,897			18,388
	Tier 3			-			-
			$	103,887		$	116,999
	Contractual maturities of the Company’s gross finance lease receivables subsequent to December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
	2014				$	20,182
	2015					19,726
	2016					18,125
	2017					18,363
	2018					18,047
	2019 and thereafter					9,444
					$	103,887

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
	(5)Intangible Assets
	The Company’s intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	31-Dec-13
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-962	$	316
	Contracts- third party		3,650		-3,650		-
	Contracts- owned equipment		4,037		-3,676		361
		$	8,965	$	-8,288	$	677
	31-Dec-12
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-831	$	447
	Contracts- third party		3,650		-3,259		391
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,960		-3,357		603
		$	8,888	$	-7,447	$	1,441
	Intangible assets allocated to the equipment leasing and equipment management reporting units, net of accumulated amortization, were $0.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013, and $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012.
	Amortization recorded for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $0.8 million, $0.9 million and $1.3 million respectively. Estimated future amortization expenses are as follows (in thousands):
	2014			$	384
	2015				210
	2016				83
				$	677

Equipment_Leases

Equipment Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment Leases [Abstract]	'
Equipment Leases	'
	(6)Equipment Leases
	The Company leases its equipment on either short-term operating leases through master lease agreements, long-term non-cancelable operating leases, or finance leases. The following represents future minimum rents receivable under long-term non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	2014	$	134,984
	2015		115,983
	2016		94,742
	2017		72,337
	2018		56,262
	2019 and thereafter		61,300
		$	535,608
	See Note 4 for contractual maturities of the Company’s gross finance lease receivables.

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations	'
	(7)Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
	Debt
	Details of the Company’s debt as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
			31-Dec-13						31-Dec-12
			Outstanding					Average	Outstanding				Average	Agreement
	Reference		Current			Long-term		Interest	Current		Long-term		Interest	Terminates
	(a)(i)	Revolving credit facility	$	-		$	235,000	1.90%	$	-	$	160,000	3.00%	Mar-18
	(a)(ii)	Revolving credit facility - Rail		-			54,469	2.40%		-		41,469	2.50%	Jun-15
	(b)(i)	Term loan		8,400			27,300	2.30%		800		6,600	2.70%	Apr-18
	(b)(ii)	Term loan		7,500			111,875	2.50%		24,964		230,651	3.30%	Dec-16
	(b)(iii)	Term loan		9,940			119,320	2.20%		9,940		129,260	2.50%	Apr-17
	(c)	Senior secured notes		8,240			86,520	4.90%		8,240		94,760	4.90%	Sep-22
	(d)	Asset backed notes		40,000			322,875	3.40%		17,100		151,050	3.50%	Mar-28
	(e)	Collateralized financing obligations		-			101,269	1.00%		-		75,200	1.10%	Dec-16
		Total Debt	$	74,080		$	1,058,628		$	61,044	$	888,990
		(a)		Revolving Credit Facilities
	Revolving credit facilities consist of the following:
	(i) On March 15, 2013, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks to finance the acquisition of container rental equipment and for general working capital purposes. The Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement refinanced the Company’s prior revolving credit facility to reduce the interest rate, increase the facility commitment and revise certain covenants to provide the Company with additional flexibility. As of December 31, 2013, the maximum commitment under the revolving credit facility was $760.0 million. The Company’s revolving credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $960.0 million, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, so long as no default or event of default exists either before or immediately after giving effect to the increase. There is a commitment fee on the unused amount of the total commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The agreement provides that swing line loans (short-term borrowings of up to $10.0 million in the aggregate that are payable within 10 business days or at maturity date, whichever comes earlier) and standby letters of credit (up to $15.0 million in the aggregate) will be available to the Company. These credit commitments are part of, and not in addition to, the total commitment provided under the agreement. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the revolving credit agreement.  In addition to various financial and other covenants, the Company’s revolving credit facility also includes certain restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur other indebtedness or pay dividends to stockholders.  As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the revolving credit facility.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $524.9  million in availability under the revolving credit facility (net of $0.1 million in letters of credit) subject to its ability to meet the collateral requirements under the agreement governing the facility. The entire amount of the facility drawn at any time plus accrued interest and fees is callable on demand in the event of certain specified events of default.
	The Company’s revolving credit facility, including any amounts drawn on the facility, is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company (not otherwise used as security for its other credit facilities) including the containers owned by the Company, the underlying leases thereon and the Company’s interest in any money received under such contracts.
	(ii)  On June 7, 2012, CAI and CAI Rail Inc. (CAI Rail), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a revolving credit agreement with a consortium of banks to finance the acquisition of railcars.  As of December 31, 2013, the maximum credit commitment under the revolving line of credit was $85.0 million.
	Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at a variable rate. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the revolving credit agreement.  For domestic base rate loans, the interest rate is equal to the highest of (i) the daily federal funds open rate as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and (ii) the administrative agent’s published “Reference Rate”, in each case plus a margin based on certain conditions.
	As of December 31, 2013, CAI Rail had  $30.5 million in availability under the revolving credit facility, subject to its ability to meet the collateral requirements under the agreement governing the facility. The entire amount of the facility drawn at any time plus accrued interest and fees is callable on demand in the event of certain specified events of default.
	The agreement governing CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility contains various financial and other covenants. As of December 31, 2013, CAI Rail was in compliance with the terms of the revolving credit facility. CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility, including any amounts drawn on the facility, is secured by all of the assets of CAI Rail and is guaranteed by the Company.
		(b)		Term Loans
	Term loans consist of the following:
	(i) On August 20, 2009, the Company signed a $10.0 million five-year loan agreement with the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ). The loan is payable in 19 quarterly installments of $0.2 million starting October 31, 2009 and a final payment of $6.2 million on July 31, 2014. On March 22, 2013, the Company entered into an additional $30.0 million five-year loan agreement with DBJ. The loan is payable in 19 quarterly installments of $0.5 million starting July 31, 2013 and a final payment of $21.5 million on April 30, 2018. Both loans bear interest at variable rates based on LIBOR. As of December 31, 2013, the loans had a combined balance of $35.7 million.
	The following are the estimated future principal and interest payments under these loans as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands). The payments were calculated assuming the interest rate remains 2.3% through maturity of the loan.
	2014				$	9,172
	2015					2,299
	2016					2,365
	2017					2,322
	2018					22,144
						38,302
	Less: Amount representing interest					-2,602
	Term loan				$	35,700
	(ii) On December 20, 2010, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with a consortium of banks. Under this loan agreement, the Company was eligible to borrow up to $300.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions, which amount is secured by certain assets of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries.  The loan agreement is an amortizing facility with a term of six years.  The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the term loan agreement. The loan bears a variable interest rate based on LIBOR for Eurodollar loans, and Base Rate for Base Rate loans.  The Base Rate is defined as the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1.0%, (ii) the prime rate (as published in The Wall Street Journal), and (iii) the Eurodollar rate (for three-month loans) plus 1.0%.
	On March 28, 2013, the term loan agreement was amended to: (a) reduce the principal balance of the loan from $249.4 million to $125.0 million through payment of $124.4 million from the proceeds of the $229.0 million fixed-rate asset-backed notes issued by the Company’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, CAL Funding II Limited (see Note 6(d) below); (b) reduce the interest rate on the remaining loan balance; and (c) revise certain covenants under the term loan agreement to provide increased flexibility to the Company. Quarterly payments of principal have been reduced to $1.9 million with the balance of the unpaid principal due on December 20, 2016. As of December 31, 2013, the term loan had a balance of $119.4 million.
	The following are the estimated future principal and interest payments under this loan as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands). The payments were calculated assuming the interest rate remains 2.5%  through maturity of the loan.
	2014				$	10,449
	2015					10,259
	2016					106,951
						127,659
	Less: Amount representing interest					-8,284
	Term loan				$	119,375
	(iii) On April 11, 2012, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with a consortium of banks. The agreement, which was amended on August 31, 2012 and May 30, 2013, provides for a five year term loan of up to $142.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions, which amount is secured by certain assets of the Company. The commitment under the loan may be increased to a maximum of $200.0 million under certain conditions described in the agreement. The outstanding principal amounts under the term loan bear interest based on LIBOR, amortized quarterly, and require quarterly payments equal to 1.75% multiplied by the outstanding principal amount at such time. The facility contains various financial and other covenants. The full $142.0 million has been drawn and was primarily used to repay outstanding amounts under the revolving credit facility. All unpaid amounts then outstanding are due and payable on April 11, 2017.  As of December 31, 2013, the loan had a balance of $129.3 million.
	The following are the estimated future principal and interest payments under this loan as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands). The payments were calculated assuming the interest rate remains 2.2% through maturity of the loan.
	2014				$	12,711
	2015					12,492
	2016					12,279
	2017					100,521
						138,003
	Less: Amount representing interest					-8,743
	Term loan				$	129,260
		(c)		Senior Secured Notes
	On September 13, 2012, Container Applications Limited (CAL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors, pursuant to which CAL issued $103.0 million of its 4.90% Senior Secured Notes due September 13, 2022 (the Notes) to the investors. The Notes are guaranteed by the Company and secured by certain assets of CAL and the Company.
	The Notes bear interest at 4.9% per annum, due and payable semiannually on March 13 and September 13 of each year, commencing on March 13, 2013.  In addition, CAL is required to make certain principal payments on March 13 and September 13 of each year, commencing on March 13, 2013.  Any unpaid principal and interest is due and payable on September 13, 2022.  The Note Purchase Agreement provides that CAL may prepay at any time all or any part of the Notes in an amount not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. As of December 31, 2013, the Notes had a balance of $94.8 million.
	The following are the estimated future principal and interest payments under the Notes as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands). The payments were calculated based on the fixed interest rate of 4.9%.
	2014				$	12,782
	2015					12,379
	2016					10,910
	2017					9,519
	2018					9,220
2019 and thereafter					68,331
					123,141
Less: Amount representing interest					-28,381
Senior secured notes				$	94,760
	(d)		Asset-Backed Notes
On October 18, 2012, CAL Funding II Limited (CAL II), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of CAI, issued $171.0 million of 3.47% fixed rate asset-backed notes (Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes).  Principal and interest on the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes is payable monthly commencing on November 26, 2012, and the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes mature in October 2027.  The proceeds from the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes were used to repay part of the Company’s borrowings under its revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes had a balance of $151.1 million.
On March 28, 2013, CAL II issued $229.0 million of 3.35% fixed rate asset-backed notes (Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes). Principal and interest on the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes is payable monthly commencing on April 25, 2013, and the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes mature in March 2028. The proceeds from the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes were used partly to reduce the balance of the Company’s term loan as described in Note 7 (b)(ii) above, and to partially pay down the Company’s senior revolving credit facility. The Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes had a balance of $211.8 million as of December 31, 2013.
The following are the estimated future principal and interest payments under the Asset-Backed Notes as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands). The payments were calculated based on the weighted average fixed interest rate of 3.4%.
2014				$	51,714
2015					50,353
2016					48,993
2017					47,632
2018					46,272
2019 and thereafter					174,394
					419,358
Less: Amount representing interest					-56,483
Asset-backed notes				$	362,875
	(e)		Collateralized Financing Obligations
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had collateralized financing obligations of $101.3 million (see Note 3). The obligations had an average interest rate of 1.0% as of December 31, 2013 with maturity dates between June 2015 and December 2016. The debt is secured by a pool of containers covered under the financing arrangements.
The following are the estimated future principal and interest payments under the Company’s collateralized financing obligations as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands). The payments were calculated assuming an average interest rate of 1.0% through maturity of the obligations.
2014				$	-
2015					62,720
2016					41,780
					104,500
Less: Amount representing interest					-3,231
Collateralized financing obligations				$	101,269
Capital Lease Obligations
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had capital lease obligations of $5.3 million. The underlying obligations are denominated in U.S. Dollars and Euros at floating interest rates averaging 2.4% as of December 31, 2013 with maturity dates between June 2014 and June 2019. The loans are secured by containers covered by the lease obligations.
The following are the estimated future principal and interest payments under capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands). The payments were calculated assuming the interest rate remains 2.4% through maturity of the loans.
2014				$	2,026
2015					1,488
2016					887
2017					591
2018					412
2019 and thereafter					111
					5,515
Less: Amount representing interest					-228
Capital lease obligations				$	5,287
The Company's term loans, senior secured notes, asset backed notes and collateralized financing obligations are secured by specific pools of rental equipment and other assets owned by the Company, the underlying leases thereon and the Company’s interest in any money received under such contracts. The agreements relating to all of the Company’s debt contain various financial and other covenants. As of December 31, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

StockBased_Compensation_Plan

Stock-Based Compensation Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation Plan	'
	(8)Stock–Based Compensation Plan
	Stock Options
	The Company grants stock options to certain employees and independent directors pursuant to its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (Plan) which was adopted on April 23, 2007 and amended on June 5, 2009, June 3, 2011 and June 8, 2012. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s stock option plan for the three years ended December 31, 2013:
							Weighted
							Average
				Weighted			Remaining		Aggregate
				Average			Contractual		Intrinsic
		Number of		Exercise			Term		Value
		Shares		Price			(in years)		(in thousands)
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2010	972,680		$	10.32
	Options granted - employees	180,000		$	24.82
	Options granted - directors	40,000		$	21.62
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2011	1,192,680		$	12.89
	Options granted - employees	111,000		$	17.77
	Options granted - directors	40,000		$	17.77
	Options forfeited - employees	-8,000		$	17.77
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2012	1,335,680		$	13.41
	Options granted - employees	51,300		$	26.41
	Options granted - directors	40,000		$	26.41
	Options forfeited - employees	-3,501		$	14.87
	Options exercised - employees	-159,994		$	9.53				$	2,334
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2013	1,263,485		$	14.84		5.8		$	11,528
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013	1,049,685		$	13.09		5.3		$	11,164
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	213,800		$	23.45		8.6		$	363
	The aggregate intrinsic value represents the value by which the Company’s closing stock price of $23.57 per share on the last trading day of the year ended December 31, 2013 exceeds the exercise price of the stock multiplied by the number of options outstanding or exercisable, excluding options that have a zero or negative intrinsic value. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2013 is based on the closing share price on the date each option was exercised.
	The total fair value of stock options granted to the Company’s employees and independent directors at the time of grant was approximately $1.3 million, or $14.10 per share, $1.3 million, or $8.36 per share, and $2.6 million, or $12.04 per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model under the following weighted average assumptions:
		2013				2012				2011
	Stock price	$	26.41			$	17.77			$	24.24
	Exercise price	$	26.41			$	17.77			$	24.24
	Expected term:
	Employees		6.25 years				6.25 years				6.25 years
	Directors		5.5 years				5.5 years				5.5 years
	Expected volatility:
	Employees		56.70	%			49.50	%			50.10	%
	Directors		58.60	%			50.20	%			50.80	%
	Dividend yield		-	%			-	%			-	%
	Risk free rate:
	Employees		1.35	%			0.75	%			1.89	%
	Directors		1.16	%			0.75	%			1.89	%
	The expected option term is calculated using the simplified method in accordance with SEC guidance. Prior to 2013, in the absence of sufficient historical data, 50% of the assumed volatility was derived from the average volatility of common shares for similar companies over a period approximating the expected term of the options. The remaining 50% of the expected volatility was derived from the average volatility of the Company’s common shares since their initial public offering in 2007. Stock options granted in 2013 used 100% of the average volatility of the Company’s stock over a period approximating the expected term of the options. The risk-free rate is based on daily U.S. Treasury yield curve with a term approximating the expected term of the option. No forfeiture was estimated on all options granted during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 as management believes that none of the grantees will leave the Company within the option vesting period.
	The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $1.4 million, $1.3 million and $1.1 million relating to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options granted to the Company’s employees and independent directors was approximately $2.1 million which is to be recognized over the remaining average vesting period of 2.1 years.
	Restricted Stock Grant
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company granted 28,150 shares of restricted common stock valued at $0.7 million to certain employees. The restricted stock was valued based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The restricted stock has a vesting period of 4 years. As of December 31, 2013, none of the restricted stock granted during 2013 had vested. The Company recognized $0.1 million of stock compensation expense relating to restricted stock for the year ended December 31, 2013 and none for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Unamortized stock compensation expense relating to restricted stock as of December 31, 2013 was $0.6 million to be recognized over the remaining average vesting period of 3.4 years.
	Stock-based compensation expense is recorded as a component of marketing, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income with a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	(9)Income Taxes
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	U.S. operations	$	9,225	$	15,595	$	21,909
	Foreign operations		62,352		58,504		39,989
		$	71,577	$	74,099	$	61,898
	Income tax expense attributable to income from operations consisted of (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Current
	Federal	$	2,032	$	1,557	$	6,261
	State		37		38		29
	Foreign		1,783		2,209		1,241
			3,852		3,804		7,531
	Deferred
	Federal		2,777		5,297		2,623
	State		-469		-257		89
	Foreign		897		974		841
			3,205		6,014		3,553
	Income tax expense	$	7,057	$	9,818	$	11,084
	The reconciliations between the Company’s income tax expense and the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Computed expected tax expense	$	25,052	$	25,935	$	21,668
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	Foreign tax differential		-19,046		-17,294		-11,919
	State income tax expense, net of federal income tax benefit		-514		-66		154
	Subpart F income		1,255		1,404		851
	Increase (decrease) in uncertain tax liabilities		124		-78		185
	Non-deductible stock-based compensation		92		86		68
	Other		94		-169		77
		$	7,057	$	9,818	$	11,084
	As of December 31, 2013 the Company had  $33.0 million and $7.3 million of net operating loss (NOL) carry forwards available to offset future foreign and state taxable income, respectively. The NOL carry forwards will begin to expire in 2017 and 2029 for foreign and state income tax purposes, respectively.
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are presented below (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accounts receivable (owned fleet)	$	44	$	179
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		105		78
	State taxes		1		1
	Unearned revenue		190		1,983
	Stock-based compensation		1,777		1,540
	Interest expense		8		6
	Tax credits		4		8
	Net operating loss carry forwards		1,488		1,562
	Gross deferred tax assets		3,617		5,357
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets		112		296
	Depreciation and amortization		37,131		36,817
	Foreign deferred tax liabilities		3,325		3,222
	Deferred subpart F income		4,087		2,832
	Unrealized gain		29		52
	Net deferred tax liability	$	41,067	$	37,862
	The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company’s management considers the projected future taxable income for making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company’s management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of the deductible differences noted above.
	Deferred income taxes have not been provided on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2013, the amount of such earnings totaled approximately $190.0  million. These earnings have been permanently reinvested and the Company does not plan to initiate any action that would precipitate the payment of income taxes thereon. The amount of income taxes that would have resulted had such earnings been repatriated is not practically determinable.
	The Company is required to recognize in the financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company has elected to record penalties and interest associated with uncertain tax position within income tax expense. The Company accrues for unrecognized tax benefits based upon its best estimate of the additional taxes, interest and penalties expected to be paid. These estimates are updated over time as more definitive information becomes available from taxing authorities, completion of tax audits, expiration of statute of limitations, or upon occurrence of other events.
	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	256
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		7
	Increases related to current year tax positions		31
	Decreases related to lapsing of statute		-72
	Decreases related to settlement		-40
Balance at December 31, 2012		182
Increases related to prior year tax positions		116
Increases related to current year tax positions		19
Decreases related to lapsing of statute		-9
Decreases related to settlement		-168
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	140
The unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.1 million at December 31, 2013, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company accrued potential  interest and penalties of less than $0.1 million related to unrecognized tax benefits for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company does not believe the total amount of unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 2013 will increase or decrease significantly in the next twelve months.
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, as of December 31, 2013, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.  In June 2013, the Company received notification from the IRS that they had completed their examination for both 2008 and 2009, making changes to taxable income for those years. The changes did not materially alter the Company’s income tax for those years.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	'
	(10)Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The Company’s senior secured notes of $94.8 million, collateralized financing obligations of $101.3 million and asset backed notes of $362.9 million as of December 31, 2013 were estimated to have fair values of approximately $93.6 million, $98.4 million and $359.2 million, respectively, based on the fair value of estimated future payments calculated using the prevailing interest rates. The fair value of these financial instruments would be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Management believes that the balances of the Company’s revolving credit facilities of  $289.5  million, term loans totaling  $284.3 million,  capital lease obligations  of  $5.3 million and net investment in direct finance leases of $81.2 million approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2013. The fair value of these financial instruments would be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'
	(11)Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company utilizes certain office facilities and office equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements which generally have original terms of up to five years. Future minimum lease payments required under non-cancellable operating leases having an original term of more than one year as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Office
		Facilities
		and
		Equipment
	Year ending December 31:
	2014	$	1,324
	2015		1,103
	2016		1,064
	2017		867
	2018		5
		$	4,363
	Office facility expense was $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and was included in marketing, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had one outstanding letter of credit of $0.1 million. The letter of credit guarantees the Company’s obligations under certain operating lease agreements.
	In addition to the rental equipment payable of $45.2 million, the Company had commitments to purchase approximately $5.9  million of container equipment as of December 31, 2013.
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company executes contracts involving indemnifications standard in the industry and indemnifications specific to a transaction such as an assignment and assumption agreement. These indemnifications might include claims related to tax matters, governmental regulations, and contractual relationships. Performance under these indemnities would generally be triggered by a breach of terms of the contract or by a third-party claim. The Company regularly evaluates the probability of having to incur costs associated with these indemnifications and as of December 31, 2013 there were no claims outstanding under such indemnifications and the Company believes that no claims are probable of occurring in the future.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	(12)Related Party Transactions
	The Company has transferred legal ownership of certain containers to Japanese container funds which were established by Japan Investment Adviser Co., Ltd. (JIA) and CAIJ, Inc. (CAIJ). CAIJ is an 80%-owned subsidiary of CAI with the remaining 20% owned by JIA. JIA is owned and controlled by the Managing Director of CAIJ.  Prior to the transfer of containers from the Company, the container funds received contributions from unrelated Japanese investors, under separate Japanese investment agreements allowed under Japanese commercial laws. The contributions were used to purchase container equipment from the Company. Under the terms of the agreements, the CAI-related Japanese entities manage the activities of certain Japanese entities but may outsource all or part of each operation to a third party. Pursuant to its services agreements with investors, the Japanese container funds have outsourced the general management of their operations to CAIJ. The Japanese container funds have also entered into equipment management service agreements and financing arrangements whereby the Company manages the leasing activity of containers owned by the Japanese container funds.
	As described in Note 3, the Japanese managed container funds and financing arrangements are considered VIEs. However, with the exception of two specific Japanese funds and the financing arrangements described in Note 3, the Company does not consider its interest in the managed Japanese container funds to be a variable interest. As such, the Company did not consolidate the assets and liabilities, results of operations or cash flows in its consolidated financial statements.  The sale of containers to the unconsolidated Japanese VIEs has been recorded on the Company’s books as a sale in the ordinary course of business.
	As described in Note 3, the Company has included in its consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities, results of operations, and cash flows of the financing arrangements, in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation. The Company has also included the results of operations and cash flows of the two specific Japanese container funds up to the date of their deconsolidation, in accordance with ASC 810.

Capital_Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Capital Stock [Abstract]	'
Capital Stock	'
	(13)Capital Stock
	On April 15, 2011, the Company filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC which was declared effective by the SEC on May 31, 2011. Under this shelf registration statement, the Company may sell various debt and equity securities, or a combination thereof, to be offered from time-to-time up to an aggregate offering price of $250.0 million for all securities, and the selling stockholders may sell up to 2,500,000 shares of common stock in one or more offerings. Pursuant to this registration, the Company sold 2,757,170 shares of its common stock in December 2012 at $19.85 per share. The Company received $51.5 million (net of commissions and other expenses related to the offering) from the sale of its common stock.

401K_Savings_Plan

401K Savings Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
401K Savings Plan [Abstract]	'
401K Savings Plan	'
	(14)401(k) Savings Plan
	The Company established a 401(k) plan in January 1995 for certain eligible employees. Company contribution to this plan was entirely at the Company’s discretion. On October 1, 2007, the Company enhanced the plan to cover all of its U.S. employees. Under the enhanced provisions of the plan, an employee may contribute up to the statutory limit of his or her salary into the plan. The Company matches employee contributions up to 4% of qualified compensation. The Company’s contribution vests immediately.  Company contribution to the plan for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	(15)Segment Information
	The Company operates in one industry segment, equipment leasing, but has two reportable business segments; equipment leasing and equipment management. The equipment leasing segment derives its revenue primarily from the ownership and leasing of containers to container shipping lines and freight forwarders. The equipment management segment derives its revenue from management fees earned from portfolios of equipment and associated leases which are managed on behalf of third-party investors. The Company also derives revenue from the sale of equipment to third-party investors who in turn enter into management agreements with the Company. There are no inter-segment revenues.
	With the exception of amortization of intangible assets and marketing, general and administrative expenses (MG&A), operating expenses are directly attributable to the equipment leasing segment. Amortization of intangible assets relating to owned and third party contracts is charged directly to the equipment leasing segment and equipment management segment, respectively. The amortization of remaining intangible assets relating to the trademark is allocated to the segments based on the average number of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers in each segment during the year.
	MG&A expenses are allocated to each segment based on either revenue or the number of TEUs in each segment, depending on the function of the department which incurred the expense, after directly assigning MG&A expenses relating to CAI Consent Sweden AB and CAI Rail to the equipment leasing segment and MG&A expenses relating to CAIJ and CAI Deutschland GmbH to the equipment management segment.
	The Company does not allocate interest income and income tax expense to its segments.
	Total assets of the equipment management segment consist of managed accounts receivable, the net carrying value of the intangible asset relating to third party contracts and a portion of the intangible asset relating to trademarks (determined based on the percentage of average TEUs of managed containers to total average TEUs). The remaining balance of total assets is allocated to the equipment leasing business.
	The following tables show condensed segment information for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, reconciled to the Company’s net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest as shown in its consolidated statements of income (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Rental revenue	$	196,591	$	-	$	-	$	196,591
	Management fee revenue		-		7,866		-		7,866
	Finance lease income		7,948		-		-		7,948
	Total revenue		204,539		7,866		-		212,405
	Depreciation of rental equipment		67,109		-		-		67,109
	Amortization of intangible assets		351		429		-		780
	Gain on disposition of used rental equipment		-7,356		-		-		-7,356
	Storage, handling and other expenses		19,257		-		-		19,257
	Marketing, general and administrative expenses		21,463		2,385		-		23,848
	Loss on foreign exchange		82		-		-		82
	Total operating expenses		100,906		2,814		-		103,720
	Operating income		103,633		5,052		-		108,685
	Interest expense		37,113		-		-		37,113
	Interest income		-		-		-5		-5
	Net interest expense		37,113		-		-5		37,108
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	66,520	$	5,052	$	5	$	71,577
	Total assets	$	1,664,851	$	10,738	$	-	$	1,675,589
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Rental revenue	$	152,982	$	-	$	-	$	152,982
	Management fee revenue		-		12,094		-		12,094
	Gain on sale of container portfolios		-		1,256		-		1,256
	Finance lease income		7,593				-		7,593
	Total revenue		160,575		13,350		-		173,925
	Depreciation of rental equipment		48,352		-		-		48,352
	Amortization of intangible assets		487		415		-		902
	Gain on disposition of used rental equipment		-12,445		-		-		-12,445
	Storage, handling and other expenses		9,402		-		-		9,402
	Marketing, general and administrative expenses		18,320		6,338		-		24,658
	Loss on foreign exchange		170		-		-		170
	Total operating expenses		64,286		6,753		-		71,039
	Operating income		96,289		6,597		-		102,886
	Interest expense		28,796		-		-		28,796
	Interest income		-		-		-9		-9
	Net interest expense		28,796		-		-9		28,787
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	67,493	$	6,597	$	9	$	74,099
	Total assets	$	1,368,236	$	19,705	$	-	$	1,387,941
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Rental revenue	$	106,694	$	-	$	-	$	106,694
	Management fee revenue		-		12,957		-		12,957
	Gain on sale of container portfolios		-		2,345		-		2,345
	Finance lease income		3,710				-		3,710
	Total revenue		110,404		15,302		-		125,706
	Depreciation of rental equipment		33,633		-		-		33,633
	Amortization of intangible assets		625		629		-		1,254
	Gain on disposition of used rental equipment		-13,374		-		-		-13,374
	Storage, handling and other expenses		5,513		-		-		5,513
	Marketing, general and administrative expenses		14,412		6,597		-		21,009
	Gain on foreign exchange		-354		-		-		-354
	Total operating expenses		40,455		7,226		-		47,681
	Operating income		69,949		8,076		-		78,025
	Interest expense		16,139		-		-		16,139
	Interest income		-		-		-12		-12
Net interest expense		16,139		-		-12		16,127
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	53,810	$	8,076	$	12	$	61,898
Total assets	$	933,094	$	20,274	$	-	$	953,368
Geographic Data
The Company’s container lessees use containers for their global trade utilizing many worldwide trade routes. The Company earns its revenue from international carriers when the containers are in use and carrying cargo around the world. Most of the Company’s leasing related revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars. Since all of the Company’s containers are used internationally and typically no container is domiciled in one particular place for a prolonged period of time, all of the Company’s long-lived container assets are considered to be international with no single country of use.
The Company’s railcars, with a net book value of  $69.5  million as of December 31, 2013, are used primarily to transport cargo within North America.

Revenue_Concentration

Revenue Concentration	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue Concentration [Abstract]	'
Revenue Concentration	'
	(16)Revenue Concentration
	Equipment Leasing Segment Concentration. Revenue from the Company’s ten largest lessees represented 58.8%, 58.5% and 57.6% of the revenue from its equipment leasing segment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Revenue from the Company’s single largest lessee accounted for 11.6%, or $23.8  million, 12.6 %, or $20.3 million, and 11.3%, or $12.5 million, of revenue from its equipment leasing segment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and 11.2%, 11.7% and 9.9% of the Company’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The largest lessees of the Company’s owned fleet are often among the largest lessees of its managed fleet. The largest lessees of our managed fleet are responsible for a significant portion of the billings that generate our management fee revenue.
	Equipment Management Segment Concentration. A substantial majority of the Company’s equipment management segment revenue is derived from third-party investors associated with five different investment funds located in Switzerland, Germany and Japan. Third-party investors associated with the five investment funds represented  76.3%, 62.6% and 65.4% of the Company’s total equipment management segment revenue for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Revenue from the two largest third-party investors represented 51.5%, or $4.0 million, of revenue from the Company’s equipment management segment or 1.9%  of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	(17)Earnings per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income attributable to CAI common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock; however, potential common equivalent shares are excluded if their effect is anti-dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except per share data):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator
	Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used in the calculation
	of basic and diluted earnings per share	$	63,926	$	63,465	$	50,189
	Denominator
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share		22,157		19,495		19,295
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock		515		450		398
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share		22,672		19,945		19,693
	Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic	$	2.89	$	3.26	$	2.60
	Diluted	$	2.82	$	3.18	$	2.55
	The denominator used in the calculation of diluted income per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 excluded options for 271,300 shares, 363,000 shares and 232,500 shares, respectively, of common stock granted to employees and directors because their effect would have been antidilutive.

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	'
	(18)Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	The following table sets forth key interim financial information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share amount):
		2013 Quarters Ended								2012 Quarters Ended
		Dec. 31		Sept. 30		30-Jun		Mar. 31		Dec. 31		Sept. 30		30-Jun		Mar. 31
	Revenue	$	54,561	$	53,898	$	52,987	$	50,959	$	49,854	$	44,939	$	39,725	$	39,407
	Operating expenses		27,770		27,695		25,144		23,111		20,268		18,893		15,363		16,515
	Operating income		26,791		26,203		27,843		27,848		29,586		26,046		24,362		22,892
	Net income available to CAI
	common stockholders		15,591		15,337		16,931		16,067		17,411		16,528		15,135		14,391
	Basic and diluted earnings per share
	available to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic:	$	0.70	$	0.69	$	0.76	$	0.73	$	0.87	$	0.86	$	0.78	$	0.75
	Diluted:	$	0.69	$	0.68	$	0.75	$	0.71	$	0.85	$	0.84	$	0.77	$	0.73

Schedule_II_Valuation_Accounts

Schedule II Valuation Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule II Valuation Accounts [Abstract]	'
Schedule II Valuation Accounts	'
	Schedule II
	Valuation Accounts
	(In thousands)
		Balance at		Net Additions				Balance at
		Beginning		(Reductions)				End of
		of Period		to Expense		(Deductions)*		Period
	31-Dec-11
	Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$	2,182	$	-936	$	-427	$	819
	31-Dec-12
	Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$	819	$	29	$	-54	$	794
	31-Dec-13
	Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$	794	$	-227	$	-64	$	503
	*Primarily consists of write-offs, net of recoveries and other adjustments

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles Of Consolidation	'
	(a)   Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and its 80% owned subsidiary, CAIJ, Inc. (CAIJ). The equity attributable to the minority interest in CAIJ is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and the related net income is presented as net income attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The non-controlling interest in CAIJ was immaterial and not included in the consolidated financial statements for all prior periods. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The Company regularly performs a review of its container fund arrangements with investors to determine whether a fund is a variable interest entity (VIE) and whether the Company has a variable interest that provides it with a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of the VIE in accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation. If the fund is determined to be a VIE, a further analysis is performed to determine if the Company is a primary beneficiary of the VIE and meets both of the following criteria under Paragraph 14A of ASC 810:
		·		it has power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and
		·		it has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
	If in the Company’s judgment both of the above criteria are met, the VIE’s financial statements are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as required under ASC 810. The equity attributable to the VIE is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and the after tax result attributable to its operations is shown as a net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statement of income. (See Note 3).
Use Of Estimates	'
	(b)   Use of Estimates
	Certain estimates and assumptions were made by the Company’s management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, allowances for receivables, the carrying amount of rental equipment, the residual values and lives of rental equipment, impairment of intangible assets, the carrying amount and lives of intangible assets and income tax uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Furniture, Fixtures, And Equipment	'
	(c)  Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment
	Furniture, fixtures, office equipment and software, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of five years with no salvage value.  Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the respective lease life.
Rental Equipment	'
	(d)   Rental equipment
	The Company depreciates its rental equipment over its estimated useful life to its estimated fixed residual value using the straight line method of depreciation. During the first quarter of 2012, the Company completed a review of historical disposal experience relating to its fleet of container equipment and concluded that the estimated residual values and depreciable lives used in its depreciation calculations should be amended effective January 1, 2012. The following table shows the current and prior residual values and depreciable lives that the Company adopted for each type of equipment:
			Residual Value				Depreciable Life in
							Years
			Current		Prior		Current		Prior
	20-ft. standard dry van container		$	1,050	$	950		13.0		12.5
	40-ft. standard dry van container		$	1,300	$	1,150		13.0		12.5
	40-ft. high cube dry van container		$	1,650	$	1,300		13.0		12.5
	20-ft. refrigerated container		$	2,750	$	2,250		12.0		12.0
	40-ft. high cube refrigerated container		$	3,500	$	3,000		12.0		12.0
	The residual values, which range from $1,000 to $3,500, and depreciable lives, of between 12.5 years and 15 years, for other specialized containers remain unchanged.
	The above changes reduced the Company’s depreciation expense and increased pre-tax income by approximately $9.5 million, which included the impact of lower depreciation on equipment purchased during 2012, increased net income by approximately $8.3 million and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.41 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Railcar equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life of between 40 and 43 years, to its estimated residual value using the straight-line method.
Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	'
	(e)   Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	On at least an annual basis, the Company evaluates its rental equipment fleet to determine whether there have been any events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of all, or part, of its fleet may not be recoverable. Events which would trigger an impairment review include, among others, a significant decrease in the long-term average market value of rental equipment, a significant decrease in the utilization rate of rental equipment resulting in an inability to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods, or a change in market conditions resulting in a significant decrease in lease rates.
	When testing for impairment, equipment is generally grouped by rental type, and is tested separately from other groups of assets and liabilities. Potential impairment exists when the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated by an asset group, comprised of lease proceeds and residual values, less operating expenses, are less than the carrying value of that asset group. If potential impairment exists, the equipment is written down to its fair value. In determining the fair value of an asset group, the Company considers market trends, published value for similar assets, recent transactions of similar assets and in certain cases, quotes from third party appraisers. The Company currently does not consider any asset group to have a book value that is not recoverable, or close to being not recoverable, based on its expectation of future undiscounted cash flows.
Intangible Assets	'
	(f)   Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets with definite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company amortizes intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
	Trademarks	1-10 years
	Contracts-third party	7 years
	Contracts and customer relationships-owned equipment	5-7 years
Finance Leases	'
	(g)   Finance Leases
	Interest on finance leases is recognized using the effective interest method. Lease income is recorded in decreasing amounts over the term of the contract, resulting in a level rate of return on the net investment in direct finance leases.
Debt Fees	'
	(h)   Debt Fees
	To the extent that the Company is required to pay issuance fees or direct costs relating to its credit facilities, such fees are amortized over the lives of the related debt using the straight line method and reflected in interest expense.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	(i)   Foreign Currency Translation
	The accounts of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been converted at rates of exchange in effect at year-end for balance sheet accounts and average exchange rates for the year for income statement accounts. The effects of changes in exchange rates in translating foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements are included in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.
Accounts Receivable (Owned Fleet)	'
	(j)   Accounts Receivable (Owned Fleet)
	Amounts billed under operating leases for equipment owned by the Company are recorded in accounts receivable (owned fleet). The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable it does not consider fully collectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is developed based on two key components: (1) specific reserves for receivables for which management believes full collection is doubtful; and (2) a general reserve for estimated losses inherent in the receivables. The general reserve is estimated by applying certain percentages to receivables that have not been specifically reserved, ranging from 1.0% on accounts that are one to thirty days overdue, to 100% on accounts that are one year overdue. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed regularly by management and is based on the risk profile of the receivables, credit quality indicators such as the level of past due amounts and non-performing accounts and economic conditions. Changes in economic conditions or other events may necessitate additions or deductions to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is intended to provide for losses inherent in the owned fleet’s accounts receivable, and requires the application of estimates and judgments as to the outcome of collection efforts and the realization of collateral, among other things.
Accounts Receivable (Managed Fleet)	'
	(k)   Accounts Receivable (Managed Fleet)
	Amounts billed under operating leases for equipment owned by third-party investors are recorded in accounts receivable (managed fleet) with a corresponding credit to due to container investors account. The credit risk on accounts receivable related to managed equipment is the responsibility of the third-party investors. Under the Company’s management agreements with investors, the third-party investors are obligated to reimburse the Company for any amounts the Company had previously paid to them in advance of receiving the amount from the equipment lessee if the Company is unable to ultimately collect any amount due from a managed equipment lessee.
Income Taxes	'
	(l)   Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for using the asset-and-liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be recovered.
	The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense. (See Note 9)
Revenue Recognition	'
	(m)   Revenue Recognition
	The Company provides a range of services to its customers incorporating rental, sale and management of equipment. Revenue for all forms of service is recognized when earned following the guidelines under FASB ASC 605, Revenue Recognition and FASB ASC 840, Leases. Revenue is reported net of any related sales tax.
	Rental Revenue
	Rental revenue arises from renting equipment owned by the Company to various lessees. Rental agreements are typically leases with a fixed term of between one and eight years or short-term master lease agreements where there is no term and the equipment can be returned at any time without penalty. Revenue is recorded on an accrual basis for master lease agreements as these agreements have no fixed term. For long-term leases, revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis when earned according to the terms of the rental contracts. These contracts are classified as operating leases. Early termination of the rental contracts subjects the lessee to a penalty, which is included in rental revenue upon such termination.
	Included in rental revenue is revenue consisting primarily of fees charged to the lessee for handling, delivery, repairs, and fees relating to the Company’s damage protection plan, which are recognized as earned.
	Management Fee Revenue and Gain on Sale of Equipment Portfolios
	In addition to renting equipment, the Company sells leased equipment portfolios to third-party investor groups. After the date of sale, the Company generally manages the equipment sold to the investor group. The Company has determined that the two deliverables under the arrangements, the sale of the equipment and the management services, are separate units of accounting, thus revenue is recognized for each unit.
	In accordance with FASB ASU 2009-13, Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, the Company determines if revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables should be considered separate units of accounting if the deliverables meet both of the following criteria:
	a.The delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis, that is, it can be sold separately by any vendor or the customer could resell the delivered items on a standalone basis. In the context of the customer’s ability to resell the delivered items, this criterion does not require the existence of an observable market for the deliverable.
	b.If the arrangement includes a right of return relative to the delivered item, delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially in the control of the vendor.
	In applying the guidance, separate contracts entered into at or near the same time with the same entity or related parties are presumed to have been negotiated as a package and should be evaluated as a single arrangement in considering whether there are one or more units of accounting.
	The Company evaluates all deliverables in an arrangement at the inception of the arrangement and as each deliverable is delivered to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. The criteria for dividing an arrangement into separate units of accounting are applied consistently to arrangements with similar characteristics and in similar circumstances.
	A delivered item that does not qualify as a separate unit of accounting within the arrangement is combined with other undelivered item(s) within the arrangement. The allocation of arrangement consideration and the recognition of revenue is determined for those combined deliverables as a single unit of accounting.
	If the Company concludes that the sale of equipment and the management services can be accounted for separately, the Company recognizes gain on sale of equipment portfolios when the sale of the equipment is completed. The gain is the difference between the sales price and the net book value of the equipment sold.
	The Company recognizes revenue from management fees earned under equipment management agreements as earned on a monthly basis. Management fees are typically a percentage of net operating income of each investor group’s fleet calculated on an accruals basis. Included in the Company’s balance sheet are accounts receivable from the managed fleet which are uncollected lease billings related to managed equipment. With the exception of equipment managed under pooling agreements, all direct costs (storage, repairs, repositioning etc.) are charged to investors on a specific-identification basis or allocated basis. The Company’s financial statements include accounts payable and accruals of expenses related to managed equipment. The net amount of rentals billed less expenses payable, less management fees, is recorded in amounts due to container investors on the balance sheet.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	(n)   Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company has granted stock options and restricted stock to certain directors and employees under its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires that compensation cost related to stock-based compensation be recognized in the financial statements.  The cost is measured at the date the award is granted based on the fair value of the award. The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the grant. (See Note 8)
Repairs And Maintenance	'
	(o)   Repairs and Maintenance
	The Company’s leases generally require the lessee to pay for any damage to the equipment beyond normal wear and tear at the end of the lease term. The Company accounts for repairs and maintenance expense on an accrual basis when an obligation to pay has been incurred.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	(p)   Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to increase the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements. Under this guidance, an entity has the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. The option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity has been eliminated. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The implementation of the accounting guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Current And Prior Residual Values And Depreciable Lives For Each Type Of Equipment	'
			Residual Value				Depreciable Life in
							Years
			Current		Prior		Current		Prior
	20-ft. standard dry van container		$	1,050	$	950		13.0		12.5
	40-ft. standard dry van container		$	1,300	$	1,150		13.0		12.5
	40-ft. high cube dry van container		$	1,650	$	1,300		13.0		12.5
	20-ft. refrigerated container		$	2,750	$	2,250		12.0		12.0
	40-ft. high cube refrigerated container		$	3,500	$	3,000		12.0		12.0
Estimated Useful Lives	'
	Trademarks	1-10 years
	Contracts-third party	7 years
	Contracts and customer relationships-owned equipment	5-7 years

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan1

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'
Components Of Entity's Net Investment In Finance Leases	'
			December 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Gross finance lease receivables (1)		$	103,887		$	116,999
	Unearned income (2)			-22,679			-31,445
	Net investment in direct finance leases		$	81,208		$	85,554
		-1		At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivable is reduced as customer payments are received.  Approximately $0.1 and $9.1 million of unguaranteed residual value at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
		-2		The difference between the gross finance lease receivable and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Gross Finance Lease Receivables By Categories Of Customers	'
			December 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Tier 1		$	85,990		$	98,611
	Tier 2			17,897			18,388
	Tier 3			-			-
			$	103,887		$	116,999
Contractual Maturities Of Gross Finance Lease Receivables	'
	2014				$	20,182
	2015					19,726
	2016					18,125
	2017					18,363
	2018					18,047
	2019 and thereafter					9,444
					$	103,887

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets	'
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	31-Dec-13
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-962	$	316
	Contracts- third party		3,650		-3,650		-
	Contracts- owned equipment		4,037		-3,676		361
		$	8,965	$	-8,288	$	677
	31-Dec-12
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-831	$	447
	Contracts- third party		3,650		-3,259		391
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,960		-3,357		603
		$	8,888	$	-7,447	$	1,441
Estimated Future Amortization Expenses	'
	2014			$	384
	2015				210
	2016				83
				$	677

Equipment_Leases_Tables

Equipment Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment Leases [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Future Minimum Rents Receivable	'
	2014	$	134,984
	2015		115,983
	2016		94,742
	2017		72,337
	2018		56,262
	2019 and thereafter		61,300
		$	535,608

Recovered_Sheet1

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Details Of Debt	'
			31-Dec-13						31-Dec-12
			Outstanding					Average	Outstanding				Average	Agreement
	Reference		Current			Long-term		Interest	Current		Long-term		Interest	Terminates
	(a)(i)	Revolving credit facility	$	-		$	235,000	1.90%	$	-	$	160,000	3.00%	Mar-18
	(a)(ii)	Revolving credit facility - Rail		-			54,469	2.40%		-		41,469	2.50%	Jun-15
	(b)(i)	Term loan		8,400			27,300	2.30%		800		6,600	2.70%	Apr-18
	(b)(ii)	Term loan		7,500			111,875	2.50%		24,964		230,651	3.30%	Dec-16
	(b)(iii)	Term loan		9,940			119,320	2.20%		9,940		129,260	2.50%	Apr-17
	(c)	Senior secured notes		8,240			86,520	4.90%		8,240		94,760	4.90%	Sep-22
	(d)	Asset backed notes		40,000			322,875	3.40%		17,100		151,050	3.50%	Mar-28
	(e)	Collateralized financing obligations		-			101,269	1.00%		-		75,200	1.10%	Dec-16
		Total Debt	$	74,080		$	1,058,628		$	61,044	$	888,990
Schedule Of Future Principal And Interest Payments Under Capital Lease Obligations	'
	2014				$	2,026
	2015					1,488
	2016					887
	2017					591
	2018					412
	2019 and thereafter					111
						5,515
	Less: Amount representing interest					-228
	Capital lease obligations				$	5,287
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt	'
	2014				$	12,782
	2015					12,379
	2016					10,910
	2017					9,519
	2018					9,220
	2019 and thereafter					68,331
						123,141
	Less: Amount representing interest					-28,381
	Senior secured notes				$	94,760
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt	'
	2014				$	51,714
	2015					50,353
	2016					48,993
	2017					47,632
	2018					46,272
	2019 and thereafter					174,394
						419,358
	Less: Amount representing interest					-56,483
	Asset-backed notes				$	362,875
Collateralized Financing Obligations [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt	'
	2014				$	-
	2015					62,720
	2016					41,780
						104,500
	Less: Amount representing interest					-3,231
	Collateralized financing obligations				$	101,269
Development Bank of Japan [Member] | Term Loans [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt	'
	2014				$	9,172
	2015					2,299
	2016					2,365
	2017					2,322
	2018					22,144
						38,302
	Less: Amount representing interest					-2,602
	Term loan				$	35,700
Consortium of Banks [Member] | Term Loans [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt	'
	2014				$	10,449
	2015					10,259
	2016					106,951
						127,659
	Less: Amount representing interest					-8,284
	Term loan				$	119,375
Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member] | Term Loans [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt	'
	2014				$	12,711
	2015					12,492
	2016					12,279
	2017					100,521
						138,003
	Less: Amount representing interest					-8,743
	Term loan				$	129,260

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_T

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Abstract]	'
Summary Of Stock Option Plan Activity	'
							Weighted
							Average
				Weighted			Remaining		Aggregate
				Average			Contractual		Intrinsic
		Number of		Exercise			Term		Value
		Shares		Price			(in years)		(in thousands)
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2010	972,680		$	10.32
	Options granted - employees	180,000		$	24.82
	Options granted - directors	40,000		$	21.62
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2011	1,192,680		$	12.89
	Options granted - employees	111,000		$	17.77
	Options granted - directors	40,000		$	17.77
	Options forfeited - employees	-8,000		$	17.77
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2012	1,335,680		$	13.41
	Options granted - employees	51,300		$	26.41
	Options granted - directors	40,000		$	26.41
	Options forfeited - employees	-3,501		$	14.87
	Options exercised - employees	-159,994		$	9.53				$	2,334
	Options outstanding, December 31, 2013	1,263,485		$	14.84		5.8		$	11,528
	Options exercisable at December 31, 2013	1,049,685		$	13.09		5.3		$	11,164
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2013	213,800		$	23.45		8.6		$	363
Summary Of Fair Value Assumptions	'
		2013				2012				2011
	Stock price	$	26.41			$	17.77			$	24.24
	Exercise price	$	26.41			$	17.77			$	24.24
	Expected term:
	Employees		6.25 years				6.25 years				6.25 years
	Directors		5.5 years				5.5 years				5.5 years
	Expected volatility:
	Employees		56.70	%			49.50	%			50.10	%
	Directors		58.60	%			50.20	%			50.80	%
	Dividend yield		-	%			-	%			-	%
	Risk free rate:
	Employees		1.35	%			0.75	%			1.89	%
	Directors		1.16	%			0.75	%			1.89	%

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Income Before Income Tax	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	U.S. operations	$	9,225	$	15,595	$	21,909
	Foreign operations		62,352		58,504		39,989
		$	71,577	$	74,099	$	61,898
Schedule Of Components Of Income Tax Expense	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Current
	Federal	$	2,032	$	1,557	$	6,261
	State		37		38		29
	Foreign		1,783		2,209		1,241
			3,852		3,804		7,531
	Deferred
	Federal		2,777		5,297		2,623
	State		-469		-257		89
	Foreign		897		974		841
			3,205		6,014		3,553
	Income tax expense	$	7,057	$	9,818	$	11,084
Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Computed expected tax expense	$	25,052	$	25,935	$	21,668
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	Foreign tax differential		-19,046		-17,294		-11,919
	State income tax expense, net of federal income tax benefit		-514		-66		154
	Subpart F income		1,255		1,404		851
	Increase (decrease) in uncertain tax liabilities		124		-78		185
	Non-deductible stock-based compensation		92		86		68
	Other		94		-169		77
		$	7,057	$	9,818	$	11,084
Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accounts receivable (owned fleet)	$	44	$	179
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		105		78
	State taxes		1		1
	Unearned revenue		190		1,983
	Stock-based compensation		1,777		1,540
	Interest expense		8		6
	Tax credits		4		8
	Net operating loss carry forwards		1,488		1,562
	Gross deferred tax assets		3,617		5,357
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets		112		296
	Depreciation and amortization		37,131		36,817
	Foreign deferred tax liabilities		3,325		3,222
	Deferred subpart F income		4,087		2,832
	Unrealized gain		29		52
	Net deferred tax liability	$	41,067	$	37,862
Schedule Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	256
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		7
	Increases related to current year tax positions		31
	Decreases related to lapsing of statute		-72
	Decreases related to settlement		-40
	Balance at December 31, 2012		182
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		116
	Increases related to current year tax positions		19
	Decreases related to lapsing of statute		-9
	Decreases related to settlement		-168
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	140

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Future Minimum Rental Payable	'
		Office
		Facilities
		and
		Equipment
	Year ending December 31:
	2014	$	1,324
	2015		1,103
	2016		1,064
	2017		867
	2018		5
		$	4,363

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Information By Container Leasing And Container Management Segments	'
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Rental revenue	$	196,591	$	-	$	-	$	196,591
	Management fee revenue		-		7,866		-		7,866
	Finance lease income		7,948		-		-		7,948
	Total revenue		204,539		7,866		-		212,405
	Depreciation of rental equipment		67,109		-		-		67,109
	Amortization of intangible assets		351		429		-		780
	Gain on disposition of used rental equipment		-7,356		-		-		-7,356
	Storage, handling and other expenses		19,257		-		-		19,257
	Marketing, general and administrative expenses		21,463		2,385		-		23,848
	Loss on foreign exchange		82		-		-		82
	Total operating expenses		100,906		2,814		-		103,720
	Operating income		103,633		5,052		-		108,685
	Interest expense		37,113		-		-		37,113
	Interest income		-		-		-5		-5
	Net interest expense		37,113		-		-5		37,108
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	66,520	$	5,052	$	5	$	71,577
	Total assets	$	1,664,851	$	10,738	$	-	$	1,675,589
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Rental revenue	$	152,982	$	-	$	-	$	152,982
	Management fee revenue		-		12,094		-		12,094
	Gain on sale of container portfolios		-		1,256		-		1,256
	Finance lease income		7,593				-		7,593
	Total revenue		160,575		13,350		-		173,925
	Depreciation of rental equipment		48,352		-		-		48,352
	Amortization of intangible assets		487		415		-		902
	Gain on disposition of used rental equipment		-12,445		-		-		-12,445
	Storage, handling and other expenses		9,402		-		-		9,402
	Marketing, general and administrative expenses		18,320		6,338		-		24,658
	Loss on foreign exchange		170		-		-		170
	Total operating expenses		64,286		6,753		-		71,039
	Operating income		96,289		6,597		-		102,886
	Interest expense		28,796		-		-		28,796
	Interest income		-		-		-9		-9
	Net interest expense		28,796		-		-9		28,787
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	67,493	$	6,597	$	9	$	74,099
	Total assets	$	1,368,236	$	19,705	$	-	$	1,387,941
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
		Equipment Leasing		Equipment Management		Unallocated		Total
	Rental revenue	$	106,694	$	-	$	-	$	106,694
	Management fee revenue		-		12,957		-		12,957
	Gain on sale of container portfolios		-		2,345		-		2,345
	Finance lease income		3,710				-		3,710
	Total revenue		110,404		15,302		-		125,706
	Depreciation of rental equipment		33,633		-		-		33,633
	Amortization of intangible assets		625		629		-		1,254
	Gain on disposition of used rental equipment		-13,374		-		-		-13,374
	Storage, handling and other expenses		5,513		-		-		5,513
	Marketing, general and administrative expenses		14,412		6,597		-		21,009
	Gain on foreign exchange		-354		-		-		-354
	Total operating expenses		40,455		7,226		-		47,681
	Operating income		69,949		8,076		-		78,025
	Interest expense		16,139		-		-		16,139
	Interest income		-		-		-12		-12
	Net interest expense		16,139		-		-12		16,127
	Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$	53,810	$	8,076	$	12	$	61,898
	Total assets	$	933,094	$	20,274	$	-	$	953,368

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share	'
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Numerator
	Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used in the calculation
	of basic and diluted earnings per share	$	63,926	$	63,465	$	50,189
	Denominator
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share		22,157		19,495		19,295
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock		515		450		398
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share		22,672		19,945		19,693
	Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic	$	2.89	$	3.26	$	2.60
	Diluted	$	2.82	$	3.18	$	2.55

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'
Selected quarterly financial data	'
		2013 Quarters Ended								2012 Quarters Ended
		Dec. 31		Sept. 30		30-Jun		Mar. 31		Dec. 31		Sept. 30		30-Jun		Mar. 31
	Revenue	$	54,561	$	53,898	$	52,987	$	50,959	$	49,854	$	44,939	$	39,725	$	39,407
	Operating expenses		27,770		27,695		25,144		23,111		20,268		18,893		15,363		16,515
	Operating income		26,791		26,203		27,843		27,848		29,586		26,046		24,362		22,892
	Net income available to CAI
	common stockholders		15,591		15,337		16,931		16,067		17,411		16,528		15,135		14,391
	Basic and diluted earnings per share
	available to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic:	$	0.70	$	0.69	$	0.76	$	0.73	$	0.87	$	0.86	$	0.78	$	0.75
	Diluted:	$	0.69	$	0.68	$	0.75	$	0.71	$	0.85	$	0.84	$	0.77	$	0.73

The_Company_And_Nature_Of_Oper1

The Company And Nature Of Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	segment
The Company And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	2

Summary_Of_Significant_Account3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Ownership percentage (in hundredths)	80.00%	'
Reduction in depreciation expense due to change in residual values and estimated useful lives	'	$9,500,000
Increase in pre tax income due to change in residual values and estimated useful lives	'	9,500,000
Increase in net income	'	8,300,000
Increase in diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	'	$0.41
Percentage of reserve on receivables overdue one to thirty days (in hundredths)	1.00%	'
Minimum period for general reserve with specific minimum percentage	'1 day	'
Maximum period for general reserve with specific minimum percentage	'30 days	'
Percentage of reserve on receivables overdue one year (in hundredths)	100.00%	'
Maximum period for general reserve with specific maximum percentage	'1 year	'
Minimum percentage realization for recognition of income tax position (in hundredths)	50.00%	'
Minimum lease term	'1 year	'
Maximum lease term	'8 years	'
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciable life (in years)	'5 years	'
Residual Value	0	'
Minimum [Member] | Other Specialized Containers [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years 6 months	'
Residual Value	1,000	'
Minimum [Member] | Railcar Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciable life (in years)	'40 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Other Specialized Containers [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciable life (in years)	'15 years	'
Residual Value	3,500	'
Maximum [Member] | Railcar Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Depreciable life (in years)	'43 years	'

Summary_Of_Significant_Account4

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Current And Prior Residual Values And Depreciable Lives For Each Type Of Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Current [Member] | 20-ft. Standard Dry Van Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	$1,050
Depreciable life (in years)	'13 years
Current [Member] | 40-ft. Standard Dry Van Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	1,300
Depreciable life (in years)	'13 years
Current [Member] | 40-ft. High Cube Dry Van Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	1,650
Depreciable life (in years)	'13 years
Current [Member] | 20-ft. Refrigerated Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	2,750
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years
Current [Member] | 40-ft. High Cube Refrigerated Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	3,500
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years
Prior [Member] | 20-ft. Standard Dry Van Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	950
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years 6 months
Prior [Member] | 40-ft. Standard Dry Van Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	1,150
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years 6 months
Prior [Member] | 40-ft. High Cube Dry Van Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	1,300
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years 6 months
Prior [Member] | 20-ft. Refrigerated Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	2,250
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years
Prior [Member] | 40-ft. High Cube Refrigerated Container [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Residual Value	$3,000
Depreciable life (in years)	'12 years

Summary_Of_Significant_Account5

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Estimated Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Contracts - Third Party [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'7 years
Minimum [Member] | Trademarks [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'1 year
Minimum [Member] | Contracts and Customer Relationships-Owned Equipment [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'5 years
Maximum [Member] | Trademarks [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'10 years
Maximum [Member] | Contracts and Customer Relationships-Owned Equipment [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	'7 years

Consolidation_Of_Variable_Inte1

Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended						36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	item			Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Container [Member]	Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]
				item
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of types of container fund arrangements	2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of specific Japanese funds	2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net proceeds from sale of equipment portfolios	'	$10,320,000	$24,886,000	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of equipment portfolios	'	1,256,000	2,345,000	'	'	'	'	'
Number of container portfolios sold	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Containers transferred to specific Japanese funds	'	'	'	'	16,000,000	'	'	'
Contribution of cash and other asserts	31,141,000	13,976,000	'	'	'	15,300,000	'	'
Fair value of net investment in direct finance leases	81,208,000	85,554,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contribution of cash and other assets	130,967,000	95,114,000	'	'	'	4,200,000	'	'
Non-controlling interest	594,000	'	'	'	'	19,500,000	'	'
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	594,000	816,000	625,000	'	'	'	'	'
Collateralized financing obligations	1,058,628,000	888,990,000	'	'	'	'	'	101,269,000
Total net book value during period	'	'	'	'	'	'	94,900,000	'
Net book value	1,465,092,000	1,210,234,000	'	'	'	'	84,200,000	'
Cash held by investor funds	$14,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan2

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Components Of Entity's Net Investment In Finance Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$103,887,000	[1]	$116,999,000	[1]
Unearned income	-22,679,000	[2]	-31,445,000	[2]
Net investment in finance leases	81,208,000		85,554,000
Unguaranteed residual value	100,000		9,100,000
Executory costs	0		0
Unamortized initial direct costs	$0		$0
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivable is reduced as customer payments are received.B B Approximately $0.1 and $9.1 million of unguaranteed residual value at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
[2]	.The difference between the gross finance lease receivable and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan3

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Gross Finance Lease Receivables By Categories Of Customers) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross Finance Lease Receivables [Line Items]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$103,887	[1]	$116,999	[1]
Tier 1 [Member]	'		'
Gross Finance Lease Receivables [Line Items]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	85,990		98,611
Tier 2 [Member]	'		'
Gross Finance Lease Receivables [Line Items]	'		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$17,897		$18,388
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivable is reduced as customer payments are received.B B Approximately $0.1 and $9.1 million of unguaranteed residual value at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan4

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Contractual Maturities Of Gross Finance Lease Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]	'		'
2014	$20,182		'
2015	19,726		'
2016	18,125		'
2017	18,363		'
2018	18,047		'
2019 and thereafter	9,444		'
Gross finance lease receivables	$103,887	[1]	$116,999	[1]
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivable is reduced as customer payments are received.B B Approximately $0.1 and $9.1 million of unguaranteed residual value at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Carrying Amount	$677	$1,441	'
Amortization expense	780	902	1,254
Equipment Leasing [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Carrying Amount	600	900	'
Amortization expense	351	487	625
Container Management [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Carrying Amount	$100	$600	'

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A

Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	$8,965	$8,888
Accumulated Amortization	-8,288	-7,447
Net Carrying Amount	677	1,441
Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	1,278	1,278
Accumulated Amortization	-962	-831
Net Carrying Amount	316	447
Contracts - Third Party [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	3,650	3,650
Accumulated Amortization	-3,650	-3,259
Net Carrying Amount	'	391
Contracts Owned Equipment [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Amount	4,037	3,960
Accumulated Amortization	-3,676	-3,357
Net Carrying Amount	$361	$603

Intangible_Assets_Estimated_Fu

Intangible Assets (Estimated Future Amortization Expenses) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'
2014	$384	'
2015	210	'
2016	83	'
Estimated future amortization expenses	$677	$1,441

Equipment_Leases_Details

Equipment Leases (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equipment Leases [Abstract]	'
2014	$134,984
2015	115,983
2016	94,742
2017	72,337
2018	56,262
2019 and thereafter	61,300
Gross operating leases receivable	$535,608

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]	'	'
Number of business days short term borrowings payable, Maximum	'10 days	'
Letters of credit outstanding	$100,000	$100,000
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Proceeds used to repay credit facility	124,400,000	'
Amortization term of facility	'6 years	'
Terms	'The Base Rate is defined as the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1.0%, (ii) the prime rate (as published in The Wall Street Journal), and (iii) the Eurodollar rate (for three-month loans) plus 1.0%	'
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	1,058,628,000	888,990,000
Restricted cash	9,253,000	4,376,000
Estimated future principal and interest payments under capital lease obligations [Abstract]	'	'
Capital lease obligation	5,287,000	'
Consortium of Banks [Member]	'	'
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum credit commitment	760,000,000	'
Maximum amount credit facility might be increased	960,000,000	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]	'	'
Availability borrowing capacity	524,900,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CAI Rail Inc [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum credit commitment	85,000,000	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.40%	2.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]	'	'
Availability borrowing capacity	30,500,000	'
Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Amount outstanding under the facility	119,400,000	'
Term Loan [Member] | Development Bank of Japan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount of loan	10,000,000	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.30%	2.70%
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Term of loan	'5 years	'
Number of quarterly installments	19	'
Quarterly payments of principal	200,000	'
Debt instrument final payment	6,200,000	'
Amount outstanding under the facility	35,700,000	'
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	35,700,000	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum credit commitment	300,000,000	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.50%	3.30%
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Quarterly payments of principal	1,900,000	'
Amount outstanding under the facility	249,400,000	'
Periodic payment of principal balance	125,000,000	'
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	119,375,000	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum credit commitment	142,000,000	'
Maximum amount credit facility might be increased	200,000,000	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.20%	2.50%
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Term of loan	'5 years	'
Amount outstanding under the facility	129,300,000	'
Periodic payments specified as percentage of drawn amount (in hundredths)	1.75%	'
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	129,260,000	'
Term Loan [Member] | Eurodollar Rate [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]	'	'
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	1.00%	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	4.90%	4.90%
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Amount outstanding under the facility	94,800,000	'
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	94,760,000	103,000,000
Asset Backed Warehouse Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount of loan	'	171,000,000
Fixed rate, asset-backed notes	3.47%	'
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Proceeds used for working capital purposes	229,000,000	'
Amount outstanding under the facility	151,100,000	'
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount of loan	229,000,000	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	3.40%	3.50%
Fixed rate, asset-backed notes	3.35%	'
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Amount outstanding under the facility	211,800,000	'
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	362,875,000	'
Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.00%	1.10%
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt	101,269,000	'
Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'	'
Maturity date range start	1-Jun-15	'
Maturity date range end	1-Dec-16	'
Swing Line Loans [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum credit commitment	10,000,000	'
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum credit commitment	15,000,000	'
Letter of Credit [Member]	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]	'	'
Letters of credit outstanding	100,000	'
Term Loan II [Member] | Development Bank of Japan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Principal amount of loan	30,000,000	'
Term Loans [Abstract]	'	'
Term of loan	'5 years	'
Number of quarterly installments	19	'
Quarterly payments of principal	500,000	'
Debt instrument final payment	21,500,000	'
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]	'	'
Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'	'
Average fixed and floating interest rates	2.40%	'
Maturity date range start	1-Jun-14	'
Maturity date range end	1-Jun-19	'
Estimated future principal and interest payments under capital lease obligations [Abstract]	'	'
Capital lease obligation	$5,300,000	'

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat2

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations (Details Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	$74,080	$61,044
Long-term Outstanding	1,058,628	888,990
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Outstanding	235,000	160,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	3.00%
Agreement Terminates	1-Mar-18	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CAI Rail Inc [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Outstanding	54,469	41,469
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.40%	2.50%
Agreement Terminates	1-Jun-15	'
Term Loan [Member] | Development Bank of Japan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	8,400	800
Long-term Outstanding	27,300	6,600
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.30%	2.70%
Agreement Terminates	1-Apr-18	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	7,500	24,964
Long-term Outstanding	111,875	230,651
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.50%	3.30%
Agreement Terminates	1-Dec-16	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	9,940	9,940
Long-term Outstanding	119,320	129,260
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.20%	2.50%
Agreement Terminates	1-Apr-17	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	8,240	8,240
Long-term Outstanding	86,520	94,760
Average Interest (in hundredths)	4.90%	4.90%
Agreement Terminates	1-Sep-22	'
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Current Outstanding	40,000	17,100
Long-term Outstanding	322,875	151,050
Average Interest (in hundredths)	3.40%	3.50%
Agreement Terminates	1-Mar-28	'
Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Outstanding	$101,269	$75,200
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.00%	1.10%
Agreement Terminates	1-Dec-16	'

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat3

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations (Schedule Of Future Principal And Interest Payments Under Capital Lease Obligations) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
2014	$2,026
2015	1,488
2016	887
2017	591
2018	412
2019 and thereafter	111
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	5,515
Less: Amount representing interest	-228
Capital lease obligation	$5,287

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat4

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations (Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$1,058,628	$888,990
Term Loan [Member] | Development Bank of Japan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	9,172	'
2015	2,299	'
2016	2,365	'
2017	2,322	'
2018	22,144	'
Long term debt including interest	38,302	'
Less: Amount representing interest	-2,602	'
Long-term debt	35,700	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	10,449	'
2015	10,259	'
2016	106,951	'
Long term debt including interest	127,659	'
Less: Amount representing interest	-8,284	'
Long-term debt	119,375	'
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	12,711	'
2015	12,492	'
2016	12,279	'
2017	100,521	'
Long term debt including interest	138,003	'
Less: Amount representing interest	-8,743	'
Long-term debt	129,260	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	12,782	'
2015	12,379	'
2016	10,910	'
2017	9,519	'
2018	9,220	'
2019 and thereafter	68,331	'
Long term debt including interest	123,141	'
Less: Amount representing interest	-28,381	'
Long-term debt	94,760	103,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2014	51,714	'
2015	50,353	'
2016	48,993	'
2017	47,632	'
2018	46,272	'
2019 and thereafter	174,394	'
Long term debt including interest	419,358	'
Less: Amount representing interest	-56,483	'
Long-term debt	362,875	'
Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
2015	62,720	'
2016	41,780	'
Long term debt including interest	104,500	'
Less: Amount representing interest	-3,231	'
Long-term debt	$101,269	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_N

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$23.57	'	'
Fair value of stock options	$1.30	$1.30	$2.60
Fair value of stock options granted per share (in dollars per share)	$14.10	$8.36	$12.04
Volatility factor (in hundredths)	'	50.00%	'
Remaining volatility factor (in hundredths)	'	50.00%	'
Average volatility of common shares	100.00%	'	'
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost	2.1	'	'
Stock-based compensation cost recognition period	'2 years 1 month 6 days	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense recorded	1.4	1.3	1.1
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense recorded	0.1	0	0
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost	0.6	'	'
Stock-based compensation cost recognition period	'3 years 4 months 24 days	'	'
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	'4 years	'	'
Restricted stock granted (in shares)	28,150	'	'
Restricted common stock value	$0.70	'	'
Number of granted restricted stock, vested	0	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_S

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Summary Of Stock Option Plan Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
				Employees [Member]	Employees [Member]	Employees [Member]	Directors [Member]	Directors [Member]	Directors [Member]
Stock Options Activity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	1,335,680	1,192,680	972,680	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options granted - directors and employees (in shares)	'	'	'	51,300	111,000	180,000	40,000	40,000	40,000
Options forfeited - employees (in shares)	'	'	'	-3,501	-8,000	'	'	'	'
Options exercised - employees (in shares)	'	'	'	-159,994	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares)	1,263,485	1,192,680	972,680	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	1,049,685	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected to vest after end of period (in shares)	213,800	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$13.41	$12.89	$10.32	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options granted - directors and employees (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$26.41	$17.77	$24.82	$26.41	$17.77	$21.62
Options forfeited - employees (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$14.87	$17.77	'	'	'	'
Options exercised - employees (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$9.53	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$14.84	$12.89	$10.32	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$13.09	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected to vest after end of period (in dollars per share)	$23.45	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at end of period (in years)	'5 years 9 months 18 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options exercisable at end of period (in years)	'5 years 3 months 18 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected to vest after end of period (in years)	'8 years 7 months 6 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options exercised - employees	'	'	'	$2,334	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at end of period	11,528	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options exercisable at end of period	11,164	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected to vest after end of period	$363	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_S1

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Summary Of Fair Value Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock price (in dollars per share)	26.41	17.77	24.24
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	26.41	17.77	24.24
Employees [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term	'6 years 3 months	'6 years 3 months	'6 years 3 months
Expected Volatility (in hundredths)	56.70%	49.50%	50.10%
Rrisk free rate (in hundredths)	1.35%	0.75%	1.89%
Directors [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected term	'5 years 6 months	'5 years 6 months	'5 years 6 months
Expected Volatility (in hundredths)	58.60%	50.20%	50.80%
Rrisk free rate (in hundredths)	1.16%	0.75%	1.89%

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Undistributed foreign earnings	$190,000,000	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	140,000	182,000	256,000
Accrued interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits, maximum	100,000	'	'
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	33,000,000	'	'
Expiration date	'2017	'	'
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	$7,300,000	'	'
Expiration date	'2029	'	'

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Incom

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Income Before Income Tax) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
U.S. operations	$9,225	$15,595	$21,909
Foreign operations	62,352	58,504	39,989
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	$71,577	$74,099	$61,898

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Compo

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Components Of Income Tax Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal	$2,032	$1,557	$6,261
State	37	38	29
Foreign	1,783	2,209	1,241
Current income tax expense (benefit)	3,852	3,804	7,531
Deferred [Abstract	'	'	'
Federal	2,777	5,297	2,623
State	-469	-257	89
Foreign	897	974	841
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	3,205	6,014	3,553
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	$7,057	$9,818	$11,084

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Effec

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'
Computed expected tax expense	$25,052	$25,935	$21,668
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:	'	'	'
Foreign tax differential	-19,046	-17,294	-11,919
State income tax expense, net of federal income tax benefit	-514	-66	154
Subpart F income	1,255	1,404	851
Increase (decrease) of uncertain tax liabilities	124	-78	185
Non-deductible stock-based compensation	92	86	68
Other	94	-169	77
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	$7,057	$9,818	$11,084

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Defer

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable (owned fleet)	$44	$179
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	105	78
State taxes	1	1
Unearned revenue	190	1,983
Stock-based compensation	1,777	1,540
Interest expense	8	6
Tax credits	4	8
Net operating loss carry forwards	1,488	1,562
Gross deferred tax assets	3,617	5,357
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Intangible assets	112	296
Depreciation and amortization	37,131	36,817
Foreign deferred tax liabilities	3,325	3,222
Deferred subpart F income	4,087	2,832
Unrealized gain	29	52
Net deferred tax liability	$41,067	$37,862

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Unrec

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits. beginning balance	$182	$256
Increases related to prior year tax positions	116	7
Increases related to current year tax positions	19	31
Decreases related to lapsing of statute	-9	-72
Decreases related to settlement	-168	-40
Unrecognized tax benefits. ending balance	$140	$182

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$1,058,628,000	$888,990,000
Fair value of senior secured notes	93,600,000	'
Fair value of collateralized financing obligations	98,400,000	'
Fair value of asset-backed notes	359,200,000	'
Fair value of revolving credit facility	289,500,000	'
Fair value of term loan	284,300,000	'
Capital lease obligation	5,287,000	'
Net investment in direct finance leases	81,200,000	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	94,760,000	103,000,000
Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	101,269,000	'
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$362,875,000	'

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Office facility expense	$1,400,000	$1,400,000	$1,300,000
Outstanding letter of credit	100,000	100,000	'
Rental equipment payable	45,181,000	2,561,000	'
Commitments to purchase container rental equipment	$5,900,000	'	'

Commitments_And_Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Future Minimum Rental Payable) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]	'
2014	$1,324
2015	1,103
2016	1,064
2017	867
2018	5
Future minimum lease payments under operating lease agreements	$4,363

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Ownership percentage by parent in CAIJ (in hundredths)	80.00%
Ownership percentage by JIA in CAIJ (in hundredths)	20.00%
Number of specific Japanese funds	2
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Number of specific Japanese funds	2

Capital_Stock_Details

Capital Stock (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	31 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Capital Stock [Abstract]	'	'
Maximum amount receivable from sale of securities under shelf registration	'	$250,000,000
Maximum limit of shares sold by stockholder's (in shares)	'	2,500,000
Issuance of common stock (in shares)	2,757,170	'
Share price (in dollars per share)	$19.85	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	$51,543,000	'

401K_Savings_Plan_Details

401K Savings Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
401K Savings Plan [Abstract]	'	'	'
Employer contribution percentage (in hundredths)	4.00%	'	'
Employer contribution to the plan	$0.20	$0.20	$0.10

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	ft
	segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Number of operating industry segments	1	'
Number of reportable segments	2	'
Inter-segment revenues	$0	'
Size of containers (in feet)	20	'
Net book value	1,465,092,000	1,210,234,000
Railcar Equipment [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net book value	$69,500,000	'

Segment_Information_Segment_Re

Segment Information (Segment Reporting Information By Container Leasing And Container Management Segments ) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rental revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$196,591

$152,982

$106,694

Management fee revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,866

12,094

12,957

Gain on sale of equipment portfolios

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,256

2,345

Finance lease income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,948

7,593

3,710

Total revenue

54,561

53,898

52,987

50,959

49,854

44,939

39,725

39,407

212,405

173,925

125,706

Depreciation of rental equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

67,109

48,352

33,633

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

780

902

1,254

Gain on disposition of used rental equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-7,356

-12,445

-13,374

Storage, handling and other expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,257

9,402

5,513

Marketing, general and administrative expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

23,848

24,658

21,009

Loss (Gain) on foreign exchange

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82

170

-354

Total operating expenses

27,770

27,695

25,144

23,111

20,268

18,893

15,363

16,515

103,720

71,039

47,681

Operating income

26,791

26,203

27,843

27,848

29,586

26,046

24,362

22,892

108,685

102,886

78,025

Interest expense before write-off of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,113

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

36,005

28,796

16,139

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5

-9

-12

Net interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,108

28,787

16,127

Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

71,577

74,099

61,898

Total assets

1,675,589

[1]

'

'

'

1,387,941

[1]

'

'

'

1,675,589

[1]

1,387,941

[1]

953,368

Equipment Leasing [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rental revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

196,591

152,982

106,694

Finance lease income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,948

7,593

3,710

Total revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

204,539

160,575

110,404

Depreciation of rental equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

67,109

48,352

33,633

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

351

487

625

Gain on disposition of used rental equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-7,356

-12,445

-13,374

Storage, handling and other expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,257

9,402

5,513

Marketing, general and administrative expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,463

18,320

14,412

Loss (Gain) on foreign exchange

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

82

170

-354

Total operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,906

64,286

40,455

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

103,633

96,289

69,949

Interest expense before write-off of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,113

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,796

16,139

Net interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,113

28,796

16,139

Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

66,520

67,493

53,810

Total assets

1,664,851

'

'

'

1,368,236

'

'

'

1,664,851

1,368,236

933,094

Equipment Management [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management fee revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,866

12,094

12,957

Gain on sale of equipment portfolios

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,256

2,345

Total revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,866

13,350

15,302

Amortization of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

429

415

629

Marketing, general and administrative expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,385

6,338

6,597

Total operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,814

6,753

7,226

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,052

6,597

8,076

Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,052

6,597

8,076

Total assets

10,738

'

'

'

19,705

'

'

'

10,738

19,705

20,274

Unallocated [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5

-9

-12

Net interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-5

-9

-12

Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5

$9

$12

[1]

Total assets at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 include the following assets of certain variable interest entities (VIEs) that can only be used to settle the liabilities of those VIEs: Cash, $14,600 and $3,695; Net investment in direct finance leases, $137 and $0; and Rental equipment net of accumulated depreciation, $84,107 and $62,286, respectively.

Revenue_Concentration_Details

Revenue Concentration (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Ten Largest Container Lessees [Member] | Equipment Leasing [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of major customers	10	'	'
Single Largest Container Lessee [Member] | Equipment Leasing [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (in hundredths)	11.60%	12.60%	11.30%
Concentration of risk, amount	$23.80	$20.30	$12.50
Five Investment Arrangers [Member] | Container Management [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of major customers	5	'	'
Two Largest Container Investors [Member] | Container Management [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of major customers	2	'	'
Revenue [Member] | Equipment Leasing [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (in hundredths)	11.20%	11.70%	9.90%
Revenue [Member] | Container Management [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (in hundredths)	1.90%	'	'
Revenue [Member] | Ten Largest Container Lessees [Member] | Equipment Leasing [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (in hundredths)	58.80%	58.50%	57.60%
Revenue [Member] | Five Investment Arrangers [Member] | Container Management [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (in hundredths)	76.30%	62.60%	65.40%
Revenue [Member] | Two Largest Container Investors [Member] | Container Management [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of risk (in hundredths)	51.50%	'	'
Concentration of risk, amount	$4	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) (Stock Options [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Dilutive Securities Included In Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Securities having antidilutive effect (in shares)	271,300	363,000	232,500

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$15,591	$15,337	$16,931	$16,067	$17,411	$16,528	$15,135	$14,391	$63,926	$63,465	$50,189
Denominator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,157	19,495	19,295
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	515	450	398
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,672	19,945	19,693
Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.70	$0.69	$0.76	$0.73	$0.87	$0.86	$0.78	$0.75	$2.89	$3.26	$2.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.69	$0.68	$0.75	$0.71	$0.85	$0.84	$0.77	$0.73	$2.82	$3.18	$2.55

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$54,561	$53,898	$52,987	$50,959	$49,854	$44,939	$39,725	$39,407	$212,405	$173,925	$125,706
Operating expenses	27,770	27,695	25,144	23,111	20,268	18,893	15,363	16,515	103,720	71,039	47,681
Operating income	26,791	26,203	27,843	27,848	29,586	26,046	24,362	22,892	108,685	102,886	78,025
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$15,591	$15,337	$16,931	$16,067	$17,411	$16,528	$15,135	$14,391	$63,926	$63,465	$50,189
Basic and diluted earnings per share available to CAI common stockholders [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.70	$0.69	$0.76	$0.73	$0.87	$0.86	$0.78	$0.75	$2.89	$3.26	$2.60
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.69	$0.68	$0.75	$0.71	$0.85	$0.84	$0.77	$0.73	$2.82	$3.18	$2.55

Schedule_II_Valuation_Accounts1

Schedule II Valuation Accounts (Details) (Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'		'		'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	$794		$819		$2,182
Net Additions (Reductions) to Expense	-227		29		-936
Deductions	-64	[1]	-54	[1]	-427	[1]
Balance at End of Period	$503		$794		$819
[1]	Primarily consists of write-offs, net of recoveries and other adjustments