Intermodal containers are also called many other names. A few of the most popular alternate names comprise: box, ISO Container, sea can, high-cube container, freight container, conex box, and container. These units are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer safe and secure and efficient storage for transporting supplies all over the world via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" means that the container can be moved from one kind of transport to another. Like for instance, intermodal means from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to unload and relaod the container's contents. Several of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range 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 around 17 million intermodal containers of different types to suit a range of cargoes within the globe.
These containers could be transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They can also travel numerous distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. A reach-stacker is normally used to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points situated at every corner on the container.
To be able to manage to containers tracking and identification, every container is outfitted with a BIC code or bin identification code painted directly on the outside of the box. These units are capable of lifting objects ranging roughly 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers could be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars are specifically designed for transport by containers. They could safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually limit the types of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges that are usually found in European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries such as the United Kingdom, there are some sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can use well cars only.
These containers are made sturdy 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 transporting many of the objects we rely on everyday all over the globe.