The appearance of the first units in the 50s to the present day, a great variety of maritime and multimodal containers have emerged as a response from the logistics chain to ensure the correct handling of loads. Important points to keep in mind:
-The size and weight of the load
-The solid or liquid nature of the cargo
-The degree of standardization of the cargo
-The type of crane and spreader required for that cargo
Types of containers
1. Dry storage container:
Dry storage containers are the most common containers used in the shipping industry. They come in lengths of 20, 40 and 45 feet, and they are designed to transport dry goods. These containers do not allow for temperature controls, so they are not suited for moving food or chemicals that require refrigeration. There are about seventeen million intermodal containers in the world, and a large proportion of the world’s long-distance freight generated by international trade is transported in shipping containers. Their invention made a major contribution to the globalization of commerce in the second half of the 20th century, dramatically reducing the cost of transporting goods and hence of long-distance trade.
This type of container is handled by Spreaders. There is a very wide variety of spreaders according to the number of cycles and to the type of cranes to be used.
2. Flat rack container
A flat rack container has no top and only two sides. This makes room for heavy loads to be set the rack from above or from the side. Most flat rack containers are either 20 or 40 feet long, and they are made from steel for strength and durability. Some flat rack containers are collapsible, and some come with additional walls that can be attached to the frame.
This type of equipment is handled by Overheight Frames.
3. Open top container
This type of container is basically a Dry Storage type but without top. This allows for easy loading of bulk cargo. There is a roof structure, plastic, that can be secured to the container with ropes, and that provides protection against rain and other forms of precipitation.
This type of equipment is handled by Overheight Frames as the cargo might protrude from the top of the container.
4. Open side storage container
An open side container has one long side that can completely open. This is beneficial for wide merchandise that may be difficult to get through the end of a tunnel container or dry storage container. The side swings open as if it was made of two large doors, but it can still be secured to protect the merchandise inside.
This type of container is handled by Spreaders.
The doors of this type of storage unit can be changed to form completely open sides. Having a completely open side allows for the storage of much wider merchandise and easier loading
5. Refrigerated ISO containers
A refrigerated container or reefer is an intermodal container used in intermodal freight transport that is refrigerated for the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo. While a reefer will have an integral refrigeration unit, they rely on external power, from electrical power points (“reefer points”) at a land-based site, a container ship or on quay. When being transported over the road on a trailer or over rail wagon, they can be powered from diesel powered generators (“gen sets”) which attach to the container whilst on road journeys. Refrigerated containers are capable of controlling temperature ranging from -65 °C up to 40 °C.
6. ISO Tanks
Tanks are storage containers designed to hold liquids. They are usually constructed out of anti-corrosive materials because of the chemicals they are used to carry. Tanks may also be used to store dry goods like sugar, but they are most often used exclusively for liquids.
As the Refrigerated container or the normal Dry storage this container is handled by standard spreaders.
7. Half height containers
Made mostly of steel, these containers are half the height of full-sized containers. Used especially for good like coal, stones etc. which need easy loading and unloading. This type of container is being used more and more for Containerized Bulk cargo.
This type of containers can be transported and lifted by standard spreaders but lately, in the bulk materials market, are used with rotatory spreaders such as the RAM Revolver.
8. Special purpose containers
Special purpose containers can be made in nearly any shape or dimension. They are used to transport items that require a custom container to be made for them. Most shipping companies avoid the use of special purpose containers as much as possible because they are costly to create and transport. Nevertheless, this is necessary for certain loads. The Spreader to be used with this type of container may vary, contact us for more info.
9. High-Cube Containers
High-cube shipping containers are similar to standard shipping containers but are taller. They are typically used for shipping taller items, such as machinery or furniture. High cube shipping containers are available in a range of sizes, from 40 feet to 53 feet in length.
The world of shipping has seen a lot of changes since the introduction of 40ft high-cube containers (HC). These cargo boxes were created to replace older models that could only hold around 10% more material due to their larger size and weight limitations. The newer design is much simpler. It’s making things easier for loading or unloading. It just depends on where you’re located within your port facility – making this type perfect if there’s limited space nearby. Nowadays people prefer using these lighter-weight alternatives because they’re less cumbersome while still allowing us all necessary transportation.
10. Double-door Containers
Double doors make it easy for loading and unloading of freight. These types of shipping containers are typically made of steel and iron. They are available in standardized sizes of 40ft and 20ft.
Most containers are manufactured from steel to provide structural strength despite having a discontinuity at the top. Reinforcements run along all sides to keep the shape rigid and also to support loads from all directions.
Double doors make it easy for loading and unloading of freight. These types of shipping containers are typically made of steel and iron. They are available in standardized sizes of 40ft and 20ft.
Most containers are manufactured from steel to provide structural strength despite having a discontinuity at the top. Reinforcements run along all sides to keep the shape rigid and also to support loads from all directions.
The cover on top and the doors can be locked and are also sealed by the customs at a port. While other containers are difficult to tamper with due to the seal placed on the locks, there is an additional challenge of sealing open-top units.
For this reason, heavy-duty covers are used and are kept in place by clamp locks that cannot be unlocked without a special device. Additionally, these containers are monitored while in transit to prevent theft or vandalism to the unit.
Loading and unloading operations are carried out in a manner similar to any normal container. Spreader cranes are used to lift the unit up while container stackers are used within the yard for arrangement.
In most cases, the cargo within fits well within the container dimensions, and so, the tarpaulin remains horizontal. In such cases, the container can be stacked under other units without any structural problems. However, if the cargo is large, bulky, and does not fit into the container, then some portion of it will stick above the container sides.
In such cases, the container cannot be stacked. During shipments, such container units are kept in a separate location to ensure that they are not damaged.
Similarly, at the container yard, open-top containers are placed in a different location to prevent accidental stacking. For moving OT units with cargo that sticks above the roof, only forklifts or vertical stacking cranes can be used.
Due to the novelty of OT containers, they are not easily available in the market. Shipping lines such as Maersk provide these facilities around the globe and even offer special services to keep your cargo safe and secure throughout the journey.
Due to the lower number of such units in circulation, they cost slightly higher than conventional containers. Also, the cost varies depending on the type of cargo you wish to transport. Cargo that stays entirely within the unit is typically charged much lesser compared to cargo that extends beyond the roof cover.
