Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. Several of the most popular alternative names consist of: ISO container, box, sea can, high-cube container, conex box, freight container, and container. These models are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer safe and secure and effective storage for transporting supplies all around the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a word which refer to the container that could be moved between one type of transport to another. Intermodal could mean from a ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to reload and unload the contents of the container. Some of the container lengths that have a distinctive 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 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are approximately 17 million intermodal containers of different types to suit a variety of cargoes in the globe.
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. Often times a reach-stacker is used to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points located at every corner on the container.
Each container is outfitted with a certain BIC code or bin identification code which is painted on the outside to be able to take care of identification and tracking. These models can lift things ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers could be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars are particularly designed for transport by containers. They could safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually limit the types of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. Like for example, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found within European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In certain nations such as the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could utilize well cars only.
These containers are built to last and are utilized to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with companies and could carry an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the things we depend on everyday around the globe.