The intermodal container could be called by other names like a box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These models are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer safe and secure and effective storage for moving supplies all over the globe via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" means that the container can be moved from one kind of transport to another. For example, intermodal means from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to unload and relaod the contents of the container. Several of the container lengths which have a distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them range from 2.438 m or 8-feet to 17.07m or 56 feet. These units are as high as 8 feet or 2.438 m to 9 feet, 6 inches or 2.9 m. It is estimated that there are about 17 million intermodal containers of different kinds to suit a variety of cargoes in the globe.
Containers are capable of being transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They could travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. Often times a reach-stacker is utilized to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points situated at every corner on the container.
Every container is outfitted with a certain bin identification code or BIC code which is painted on the outside to be able to take care of identification and tracking. These units are capable of lifting items ranging about 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container can be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed specifically for use by intermodal containers. They can safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually restrict the specific modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. For instance, the smaller loading gauges that are typically found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In some countries like for instance the UK, 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 businesses and could lift an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving numerous of the stuff we depend on everyday all around the globe.