The intermodal container could be called by other names like a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These models are made from standardized reusable steel. They provide secure and effective and safe storage for transporting supplies across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" means that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal means from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to reload and unload the container's contents. A few of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 56 feet or 17.07m. These units are as high as 2.438 m or 8feet to 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are about 17 million intermodal containers in the world of different kinds to suit a variety of cargoes.
Containers can be transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They can travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes utilizing container cranes. A reach-stacker is normally employed to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a range of "twistlock" points located at each corner on the container.
To be able to manage to containers identification and tracking, every container is equipped with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models can lift items ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers could be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are specifically designed for transport by containers. They could efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually restrict the types of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. For instance, the smaller loading gauges that are usually found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries like the United Kingdom, there are some sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could utilize well cars only.
These containers are made sturdy enough to last through the numerous travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport large amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting numerous of the items we depend on everyday around the globe.