The intermodal container may be called by other names like a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, freight container, sea box, container and conex box. These units are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer secure and efficient and safe storage for moving materials all over the world via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container can be moved from one kind of transport to another. For example, intermodal means from ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to reload and unload the container's contents. A few of the container lengths that have a distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 56 feet or 17.07m. 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 in the globe of various types to suit a variety of cargoes.
Containers could be transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They can travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes utilizing container cranes. A reach-stacker is normally utilized 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 each corner on the container.
In order to manage to containers tracking and identification, every container is outfitted with a bin identification code or BIC code painted directly on the outside of the box. These units can lift things ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container can be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars have been designed specifically for use by intermodal containers. They could safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the types of container shipment and the particular modes of the shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges which are normally found within European railroads will just handle single-stacked containers. In some countries like the United Kingdom, there are certain sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can use well cars only.
These containers are made to last and are used to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with companies and could lift an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the objects we depend on everyday around the world.