The intermodal container could be called by other names such as a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, container and conex box. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They provide effective and safe and secure storage for moving materials across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" refers that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal refers from 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 vary from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 56 feet or 17.07m. 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 in the world of various kinds to suit a variety of cargoes.
Containers are capable of being transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They can 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 normally 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.
In order 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 can lift items ranging about 20 to 25 tonnes.
When utilizing rail transport, the containers could be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars are specifically designed for transport by containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers safely and efficiently. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually restrict the kinds of container shipment and the particular modes of the shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges that are normally found within European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like for instance the United Kingdom, there are some sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can utilize well cars only.
These containers are made sturdy enough to last through the many travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport large amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting many of the items we depend on everyday all around the world.