The intermodal container can be referred to by other names such as a box, high-cube container, ISO container, freight container, sea box, conex box, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They provide efficient and safe and secure storage for transporting materials all around the world via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" means that the container can be moved from one type of transport to another. For instance, intermodal means 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 distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 17.07m or 56 feet. These units are as high as 2.438 m or 8feet to 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are around 17 million intermodal containers within the globe of different kinds to suit a range of cargoes.
These containers can be transported by semi-truck trailer, container ship and freight trains. They can also travel numerous distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. Normally a reach-stacker is utilized to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points situated at every corner on the container.
To be able to manage to containers identification and tracking, each and every container is equipped with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models are capable of lifting objects ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers could be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are specifically designed for transport by containers. They could safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually limit the particular modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. For instance, the smaller loading gauges which are typically found in European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In some countries such as the United Kingdom, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could use well cars only.
These containers are made strong enough to last through the many travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by companies and are able to transport huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the items we depend on everyday around the world.