Intermodal containers are also called many other names. A few of the most common alternate names consist of: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, conex box, freight container, and container. These units are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer efficient and safe and secure storage for moving materials across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" means that the container can be moved from one type 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. 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 models 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 roughly 17 million intermodal containers within the world of various types to suit a variety of cargoes.
These containers could be transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They could also travel many distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. Usually a reach-stacker is employed to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These models are secured during transportation by a range of "twistlock" points located at each corner on the container.
Each and every container is equipped with a specific bin identification code or BIC code that is painted on the outside to be able to take care of tracking and identification. These models can lift items ranging approximately 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 can efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually limit the types of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In some countries like for instance the United Kingdom, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can use well cars only.
These containers are made sturdy enough to last through the numerous travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport large amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the things we rely on everyday all around the world.