Intermodal containers also go by numerous other names. A few of the most popular alternative names include: box, ISO Container, sea can, high-cube container, conex box, freight container, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer secure and efficient and safe storage for moving supplies across the world via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a term which 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 unload and reload the container's contents. A few of the container lengths that have a distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range 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 within the globe of various kinds 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 using 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 variety of "twistlock" points located at every corner on the container.
Each and every container is outfitted with a particular bin identification code or BIC code that is painted on the outside in order to take care of tracking and identification. These models are capable of carrying things ranging roughly 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container may be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed specifically for use by intermodal containers. They could accommodate double-stacked containers efficiently and safely. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually limit the types of container shipment and the particular modes of the shipment. Like for example, the smaller loading gauges which are typically found within European railroads will only handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like for instance the UK, there are some sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could utilize well cars only.
These containers are made strong enough to last through the numerous travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by companies and are able to transport huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the items we rely on everyday around the globe.