Intermodal containers also go by many other names. A few of the most popular alternate names comprise: ISO container, box, high-cube container, sea can, conex box, freight container, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They provide efficient and safe and secure storage for transporting supplies across the world via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. For instance, 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 range from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 17.07m or 56 feet. 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 about 17 million intermodal containers in the world of various types to suit a range of cargoes.
Containers can be transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They could 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 employed 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 every corner on the container.
Every container is outfitted with a certain bin identification code or BIC code which is painted on the outside in order to take care of tracking and identification. These models are capable of carrying objects ranging about 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container may be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars have been designed especially for use by intermodal containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers safely and efficiently. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually restrict the kinds of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges which are typically found within European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In some 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 carry an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the stuff we rely on everyday around the world.