Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. A few of the most popular alternate names include: box, ISO Container, sea can, high-cube container, freight container, conex box, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer efficient and safe and secure storage for moving supplies across the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a term that means the container that can 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. A few of the container lengths which have a distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 17.07m or 56 feet. These units are as high as 8 feet or 2.438 m 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 in the world.
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 by container cranes. Normally a reach-stacker is used to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points located at every corner on the container.
In order to manage to containers tracking and identification, each container is equipped with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These units can carry items ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container could be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed particularly for use by intermodal containers. They could efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the particular modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found within European railroads will only handle single-stacked containers. In certain nations like the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could utilize well cars only.
These containers are built to last and are used to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with businesses and could lift an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting many of the stuff we rely on everyday around the world.