Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. Some of the most common alternate names include: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, conex box, freight container, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer safe and secure and efficient storage for transporting materials across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" refers that the container is capable of being moved from one type of transport to another. For instance, intermodal refers from ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to unload and relaod the container's contents. Some of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 17.07m or 56 feet. These models are as high as 8 feet or 2.438 m to 9 feet, 6 inches or 2.9 m. It is estimated that there are approximately 17 million intermodal containers of various kinds to suit a variety of cargoes in the globe.
These containers can be transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They could also travel numerous distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. A reach-stacker is usually used to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These models are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points situated at every corner on the container.
In order to manage to containers identification and tracking, each and every container is equipped with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models are capable of carrying items ranging around 20 to 25 tonnes.
When using rail transport, the containers could be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are especially designed for transport by containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers efficiently and safely. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually limit the particular modes of the shipment and the types of container shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges that are typically found within European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like for example the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could use well cars only.
These containers are made strong enough to last through the many travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport large amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving numerous of the items we rely on everyday around the globe.