Intermodal containers are also called many other names. A few of the most common alternative names include: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer efficient and safe and secure storage for moving supplies across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container could be moved from one type 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. Some of the container lengths that have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 56 feet or 17.07m. 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 approximately 17 million intermodal containers of different kinds to suit a range of cargoes within the globe.
These containers could be transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They can also travel numerous distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes using container cranes. Often times a reach-stacker is 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.
To be able to manage to containers tracking and identification, each and every container is outfitted with a BIC code or bin identification code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models 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 specifically designed for transport by containers. They can accommodate double-stacked containers efficiently and safely. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually limit the specific modes of the shipment and the types of container shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries such as the UK, 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 companies and are able to transport large amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting numerous of the things we depend on everyday all around the globe.