The intermodal container can 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 offer secure and efficient and safe storage for transporting supplies across the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" means that the container is capable of being moved from one kind of transport to another. For instance, intermodal means from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to unload and relaod the contents of the container. Several of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary 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 approximately 17 million intermodal containers of various kinds to suit a variety of cargoes within the world.
Containers can 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 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 variety of "twistlock" points situated at each corner on the container.
To be able to manage to containers identification and tracking, each container is outfitted with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These units could lift objects ranging around 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container may be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars have been designed particularly for use by intermodal containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers efficiently and safely. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the particular modes of the shipment and the types of container shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges that are typically found in European railroads will only handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like for instance the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can use well cars only.
These containers are built to last and are utilized to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with companies and could carry an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting many of the stuff we depend on everyday all over the world.