Intermodal containers are also called many other names. Some of the most common alternate names include: box, ISO Container, sea can, high-cube container, conex box, freight container, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer safe and secure and efficient storage for transporting materials across the world via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" means that the container is capable of being moved from one kind of transport to another. For instance, 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 distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 56 feet or 17.07m. 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 around 17 million intermodal containers within the world of different types to suit a range of cargoes.
Containers can be transported by semi-truck trailer, container ship and freight trains. They could travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes utilizing container cranes. Usually a reach-stacker is employed 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 each corner on the container.
In order to manage to containers tracking and identification, each container is equipped with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models could carry items ranging about 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers can be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars are particularly designed for transport by containers. They can accommodate double-stacked containers efficiently and safely. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually restrict the kinds of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In some countries like for instance the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can utilize well cars only.
These containers are made sturdy enough to last through the numerous travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the stuff we depend on everyday all around the globe.