Intermodal containers are also called numerous other names. Some of the most popular alternate names consist of: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer effective and safe and secure storage for transporting supplies across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" refers that the container is capable of being moved from one type of transport to another. Like for instance, intermodal means from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to reload and unload the contents of the container. A few of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 56 feet or 17.07m. These units are as high as 2.438 m or 8feet to 9 feet, 6 inches or 2.9 m. It is estimated that there are approximately 17 million intermodal containers of various kinds to suit a range of cargoes within the globe.
Containers could 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 using container cranes. A reach-stacker is usually used 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.
To be able to manage to containers identification and tracking, each 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 around 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container could be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars have been designed particularly for use by intermodal containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers safely and efficiently. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually restrict the specific modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges that are typically found within European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In some countries like for example 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 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 transporting numerous of the things we depend on everyday all around the globe.