What is Container?

A shipping container is a container with strength suitable to withstand shipment, storage, and handling. Shipping containers range from large reusable steel boxes used for intermodal shipments to the ubiquitous corrugated boxes. In the context of international shipping trade, "container" or "shipping container" is virtually synonymous with "intermodal freight container," a container designed to be moved from one mode of transport to another without unloading and reloading.

Key takeaways:

Freight containers are a reusable transport and storage unit for moving products and raw materials between locations or countries.

A large proportion of the world's long-distance freight generated by international trade is transported in shipping containers.

Container's invention made a major contribution to the globalization of commerce in the second half of the 20th century, dramatically reducing the cost of transporting goods and hence of long-distance trade.

In the context of international shipping trade, "container" or "shipping container" is virtually synonymous with "intermodal freight container," a container designed to be moved from one mode of transport to another without unloading and reloading.

Different Types of Container:

1. Dry storage container

2. Flat rack container

3. Open top container

4. Tunnel container

5. Open side storage container

6. Double doors container

7. Refrigerated ISO containers

8. Insulated or thermal containers

9. Tanks

10. Cargo storage roll container

11. Half height containers

12. Car carriers

13. Intermediate bulk shift containers

14. Drums

15. Special purpose containers

16. Swap bodies

The Cargo Capacity of a Shipping Container:

The cargo capacity of a storage container is measured in TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). The volume of a standard 20-foot long container is 1 TEU. A 40-foot container equals 2 TEU (forty-foot equivalent unit). A 45-foot container equals 2.25 TEU.

1.A 20-foot long container:

Holds small machinery like skid steers, mini steam rollers or mini excavators.

Stores 1-2 aisles of seasonal inventory or supplies.

2.40-foot long container:

Holds larger machinery such as front-end loaders or excavators, but will usually require some disassembly of parts in order to clear the height and width of the container.

Holds multiple aisles of retail inventory, equipment or supplies.

3.Cubic Feet

A 20-foot container holds about 1,150 cubic feet.

A 40-foot container holds about 2,400 cubic feet.

A 40-foot high cube container can hold as much as 2,700 cubic feet.

Notes:

Depending on where you live, buying a shipping container can be as easy as a trip to your local port or a difficult logistical nightmare.

Not all shipping containers are made from the same material.

As the popularity of shipping container homes continues to rise, so does the cost of containers.