Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. A few of the most common alternative names comprise: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, conex box, freight container, and container. These models are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer secure and efficient and safe storage for moving materials all over the globe via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a term which means the container that can be moved between one type of transport to another. Intermodal can refer from a ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to unload and reload the container's contents. Several of the container lengths that have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 17.07m or 56 feet. These units 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 in the globe of different kinds to suit a variety of cargoes.
Containers are capable of being transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They can travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes using container cranes. Usually a reach-stacker is utilized to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a range of "twistlock" points situated at every corner on the container.
To be able to manage to containers tracking and identification, each container is equipped with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These units could carry items ranging roughly 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container may be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars have been designed specifically for use by intermodal containers. They can efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually limit the particular modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges that are normally found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can utilize well cars only.
These containers are made sturdy enough to last through the many travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by companies and are able to transport large amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the stuff we depend on everyday around the globe.