Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. Some of the most popular alternative names include: ISO container, box, sea can, high-cube container, conex box, freight container, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer effective and safe and secure storage for moving supplies all around the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a term that means the container that could be moved between one type of transport to another. Intermodal can mean from a ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to reload and unload the container's contents. Some of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 17.07m or 56 feet. These models 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 of different types to suit a range of cargoes in the globe.
Containers can 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 by container cranes. A reach-stacker is normally employed to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These models are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points located at every corner on the container.
Each 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 units are capable of lifting objects ranging roughly 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 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. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges which are typically found within European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries like for example the UK, there are some sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can use well cars only.
These containers are made 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 moving numerous of the objects we rely on everyday around the globe.