The intermodal container may be called by other names like a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, freight container, sea box, container and conex box. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer safe and secure and effective storage for moving materials all around the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. For example, intermodal refers from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to unload and relaod the container's contents. Some of the container lengths which 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 within the world of various types to suit a variety of cargoes.
These containers could 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 utilizing container cranes. Often times 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 located at every corner on the container.
Each and every container is outfitted with a particular 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 lifting items ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers could be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are particularly designed for transport by containers. They can safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually restrict the specific modes of the shipment and the types of container shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges which are normally found within European railroads will only handle single-stacked containers. In certain nations like for example the United Kingdom, there are some 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 businesses and can lift an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting many of the objects we rely on everyday all around the globe.