Intermodal containers also go by many other names. Some of the most common alternative names comprise: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These units are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They provide secure and effective and safe storage for moving supplies all over the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal refers 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 8-feet or 2.438 m to 17.07m or 56 feet. These units are as high as 2.438 m or 8feet to 9 feet, 6 inches or 2.9 m. It is estimated that there are around 17 million intermodal containers of various kinds to suit a range of cargoes in the world.
These containers can be transported by semi-truck trailer, container ship and freight trains. They could also travel numerous distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes using 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.
In order to manage to containers tracking and identification, every container is outfitted with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models are capable of lifting objects ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers can be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are particularly designed for transport by containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers safely and efficiently. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually restrict the particular modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges that are usually found within European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In some nations such as the UK, there are some sections of the rail network which 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 huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting many of the items we rely on everyday around the globe.