The intermodal container may be called by other names like a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, freight container, sea box, conex box, and container. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They provide efficient and safe and secure storage for moving materials all around the world via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal refers from ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to reload and unload the container's contents. A few of the container lengths which have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 56 feet or 17.07m. These models are as high as 2.438 m or 8feet to 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are around 17 million intermodal containers of different types to suit a range of cargoes within the globe.
These containers can be transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They could also travel many distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes utilizing container cranes. Often times a reach-stacker is used to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These models are secured during transportation by a range of "twistlock" points situated at every corner on the container.
Every container is outfitted with a certain BIC code or bin identification code which is painted on the outside in order to take care of tracking and identification. These models are capable of carrying objects ranging around 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container may 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 safely and efficiently. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the types of container shipment and the particular modes of the shipment. Like for example, the smaller loading gauges which are normally found within European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like for example the United Kingdom, there are some sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can use well cars only.
These containers are made to last and are utilized to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with companies and can carry an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting numerous of the stuff we depend on everyday all over the world.