Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. A few of the most popular alternative names include: ISO container, box, sea can, high-cube container, conex box, freight container, and container. These units are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They provide safe and secure and efficient storage for transporting supplies all over the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" refers that the container can be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for instance, intermodal means from ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to reload and unload the contents of the container. Some of the container lengths which have a distinctive 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 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 within the world of various types to suit a variety of cargoes.
Containers are capable of being 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. A reach-stacker is normally utilized 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 container is outfitted with a specific bin identification code or BIC code that is painted on the outside to be able to take care of identification and tracking. These units are capable of carrying objects ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container may be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed particularly for use by intermodal containers. They can accommodate double-stacked containers efficiently and safely. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the types of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges which are typically found in European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In some countries such as 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 strong enough to last through the many travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the stuff we rely on everyday all over the globe.