Intermodal containers also go by many other names. A few of the most popular alternative names include: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These models are made from standardized reusable steel. They provide efficient and safe and secure storage for moving supplies all over the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a word which refer to the container that can be moved between one type of transport to another. Intermodal can mean from a ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to reload and unload the container's contents. Several of the container lengths that have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 2.438 m or 8-feet 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 around 17 million intermodal containers within the world of different types to suit a range of cargoes.
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 using 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 each corner on the container.
In order to manage to containers identification and tracking, every container is equipped with a BIC code or bin identification code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models are capable of carrying objects ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container can be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed especially for use by intermodal containers. They can accommodate double-stacked containers efficiently and safely. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually restrict the particular modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. For instance, the smaller loading gauges which are normally found within European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In certain nations such as the UK, there are certain sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could use well cars only.
These containers are built to last and are used to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with companies and could carry an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting numerous of the things we depend on everyday all over the world.