Intermodal containers are also called many other names. Some of the most common alternate names comprise: box, ISO Container, sea can, high-cube container, freight container, conex box, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They provide safe and secure and efficient storage for transporting supplies across the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a term that means the container that could be moved between one kind 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 which have a distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 17.07m or 56 feet. 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 about 17 million intermodal containers in the globe of different kinds to suit a variety of cargoes.
These containers could be transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They can also travel many distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes using container cranes. A reach-stacker is normally 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.
Each and every container is equipped with a certain BIC code or bin identification code which is painted on the outside to be able to take care of tracking and identification. These models could carry items ranging approximately 20 to 25 tonnes.
When using rail transport, the containers can be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars are especially designed for transport by containers. They could safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually limit the specific modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. For instance, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In some countries like for instance the United Kingdom, there are certain sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they could use well cars only.
These containers are made strong enough to last through the numerous travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport large amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the stuff we depend on everyday around the world.