The intermodal container could be called by other names such as a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, freight container, sea box, conex box, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer secure and efficient and safe storage for moving supplies across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" means that the container can be moved from one kind of transport to another. For example, 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 that have a distinctive 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 2.438 m or 8feet to 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are roughly 17 million intermodal containers of different types to suit a range of cargoes in the globe.
Containers could be transported by semi-truck trailer, container ship and freight trains. They can travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes utilizing container cranes. Often times a reach-stacker is used to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a range of "twistlock" points situated at each corner on the container.
Each and every container is equipped with a certain bin identification code or BIC code that is painted on the outside in order to take care of identification and tracking. These models are capable of lifting things ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
When using rail transport, the containers can be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are particularly designed for transport by containers. They can efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the kinds of container shipment and the particular modes of the shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges which are normally found in European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In some countries like for instance the United Kingdom, there are certain sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can use well cars only.
These containers are built to last and are utilized to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with companies and can carry an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting numerous of the things we depend on everyday around the globe.