Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. Some of the most common alternative names consist of: ISO container, box, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They provide safe and secure and effective storage for moving materials across the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" means that the container can be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal refers from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to unload and relaod the contents of the container. Several 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 models are as high as 8 feet or 2.438 m to 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are about 17 million intermodal containers in the globe of different types to suit a variety of cargoes.
Containers can be transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They can travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes using container cranes. A reach-stacker is normally utilized 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 each corner on the container.
Every container is outfitted with a certain bin identification code or BIC code which is painted on the outside in order to take care of tracking and identification. These units are capable of lifting objects ranging about 20 to 25 tonnes.
When using rail transport, the containers can be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are especially designed for transport by containers. They can efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually limit the specific modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. For instance, the smaller loading gauges that are normally found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries like for example the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could use well cars only.
These containers are built to last and are used to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with companies 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.