The intermodal container could be called by other names such as a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, freight container, sea box, conex box, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They provide safe and secure and effective storage for transporting materials all around the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container can be moved from one type of transport to another. For example, intermodal refers from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to reload and unload the container's contents. Several of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 56 feet or 17.07m. These models 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 in the world of various types to suit a variety of cargoes.
These containers can be transported by semi-truck trailer, container ship and freight trains. They can also travel many distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. A reach-stacker is normally utilized to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These models are secured during transportation by a range of "twistlock" points located at every corner on the container.
Each and every container is outfitted with a certain BIC code or bin identification code that is painted on the outside in order to take care of identification and tracking. These units are capable of carrying items ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container could be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed particularly for use by intermodal containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers safely and efficiently. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually limit the types of container shipment and the particular modes of the shipment. Like for example, the smaller loading gauges which are typically found in European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like for instance the United Kingdom, 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 to last and are utilized to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with businesses and can lift an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting numerous of the objects we rely on everyday around the globe.