ISO Containers are also known as shipping containers, and are the cargo containers that allow goods to be stored for transport in trucks, trains and boats, making intermodal transport possible. They are typically used to transport heavy materials or palletized goods. These containers have become the standard for global shipping due to their efficiency, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.
In this article, we will explore what ISO containers are, their history, and their role in the modern global supply chain.
ISO Containers are large, steel boxes designed to transport goods by sea or land. They have become an integral part of the global economy, enabling businesses to transport goods across oceans and continents with ease. ISO Containers are ubiquitous in ports around the world, stacked high on container ships and transported across the globe.
ISO Containers are also referred to as shipping container, conex box, railroad container, intermodal container and certain truck trailers. This industry term refers to the International Standards Organization (ISO), the largest developer of international standards and the organization that developed the standard dimension specifications (commonly 10 feet, 20 feet, 40 feet) for steel shipping containers used worldwide.
ISO containers are standardized metal boxes used for the transportation of goods and materials across the world. They are designed to be easily loaded and unloaded from ships, trains, and trucks, making them ideal for use in the global supply chain. ISO containers come in various sizes, from small 10-foot containers to large 40-foot containers, and are constructed from durable materials, making them weather-resistant and able to withstand the rigors of long-distance transportation.
The design of the ISO standard containers allows for intermodal shipping, which is the movement of containers from one mode of transport to another, like ship, rail, or truck, without the need of having to load and unload, and reload its contents.
History of ISO ContainersThe history of ISO Containers dates back to the 18th century when wooden barrels were used to transport goods across the seas. However, the use of containers as we know them today didn’t become widespread until the mid-20th century. ISO Containers are used to protect transported cargo from shock and bad weather conditions, as well as keep storage products intact.
In 1956, American businessman Malcom McLean revolutionized the shipping industry by introducing the first container ship, the Ideal X. This ship was designed to carry standardized ISO Containers, which made it much more efficient and cost-effective than traditional cargo ships. McLean’s innovation led to the development of standardized containers, and the shipping industry has never been the same since.
The development of ISO containers can be traced back to the 1950s when the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established standards for intermodal containers. These standards established the size, strength, and specifications of intermodal containers, ensuring that they could be easily transported between different modes of transportation and handled by different countries and ports around the world.
Since then, ISO containers have become the standard for global shipping, with millions of containers in use around the world. They have made it possible for goods and materials to be transported from one place to another more efficiently and cost-effectively than ever before.
Role in the Modern Global Supply ChainISO containers play a critical role in the modern global supply chain. They make it possible for goods and materials to be transported from one place to another quickly and efficiently, reducing the time and cost of shipping. This has made it easier for companies to access new markets and has increased the speed of global trade.
In addition, ISO containers standardize the size and shape of shipping containers, making it easier to handle and transport goods and materials. This standardization also makes it easier to automate many of the processes involved in shipping, reducing the risk of damage to goods and improving overall efficiency.
There are different types of ISO Containers for different types of transportation:
Standardized SizesISO Containers are available in a range of standardized sizes, with the most common being 20 feet and 40 feet in length. The 20-foot container is known as a TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) and the 40-foot container is known as a FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit). These standard sizes allow containers to be easily loaded onto ships and transported across oceans and continents.
Depending on the type of product that is going to be sent, the ISO Container can vary in dimension (commonly 10 feet, 20 feet, 40 feet), structure, material, etc. Characteristics of these shipping containers were later standardized, something that expedited transport without the need to load and unload the merchandise along the way.
Construction of ISO ContainersISO containers are typically made of steel and are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of sea transport. The walls, floor, and roof of the container are all made of steel, and the container is welded together to ensure strength and durability. The steel used in the construction of shipping containers is high-grade, corrosion-resistant steel that can withstand the rigors of sea transport.
Features of ISO ContainersShipping containers are designed with a range of features to ensure the safety and security of the goods being transported. These features include:
Shipping containers offer several benefits, including:
Shipping containers and ISO Containers can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
ISO Containers are another name for the standard shipping containers most used on the market. ISO Containers are typically suitable for any type of dry cargo: pallets, boxes, bags, machines, furniture, etc.
Common types include:
Dry Storage ISO containers are your typical standard shipping containers. Basic construction is made of steel, and hermetically sealed, without cooling or ventilation. Sizes typically come in 20 ‘, 40’ or 40 ‘High Cube. The High Cube category facilitates an increase of 13% of the internal cubic capacity and can handle the heaviest loads (coal, tobacco, etc.)
Refrigerated ISO ContainersReefer ISO containers provide a temperature-controlled environment. They have a power supply that connects to energy sources during transport. This allows the products to be transported at a constant temperature throughout the journey. They have the possibility to lower temperature from -18 ° to 30 °. There are 20 and 40-foot models, in addition to the High Cube.
This type ofISO Container is especially recommended for transporting food or products that need a low storage temperature.
Open Top ISO ContainerOpen Top ISO containers have the same measurements as the standard containers but are open at the top because they have a removable canvas roof. These containers facilitate the transport of bulky loads.
Flat Rack ISO ContainerFlat Rack ISO containers are like the Open Top, but also lack sidewalls and even, in some cases, front and rear walls. They are used for atypical loads and pay supplements in the same way as Open Top.
Open Side ISO ContainerOpen Side ISO containers have the same measurements as standard containers; 20 or 40 feet, with the difference that they have a side opening. This allows for transporting very long merchandise, whose dimensions prevent it from being loaded by the back door.
Tank ISO ContainerTank ISO containers are used for liquid transport and made to carry dangerous as toxic, corrosive, highly combustible chemicals, as well as oil, milk, beers, wine, mineral water, etc. They have the same dimensions as Dry ISO containers, but their structure is different, as they include a polyethylene tank inside.
Ventilated ISO ContainerVentilated ISO containers are made for transporting products such as coffee or cocoa beans, which must be ventilated in transit; sometimes these units are called “coffee containers”.
ISO Container Door Diagram and Troubleshooting1. DoorsTwo door leaves are fabricated from two vertical rolled hollow sections and 2 horizontal c section members. The frame is infilled with corrugated steel paneling.
These are normally attached to the rear corner posts each with four drop forged steel hinge blades. The blades allow 270 degree opening which allow the doors to swing back against the container side wall.
(Cargo may shift during transit. Look at the container to make sure that the doors are aligned and level, both top and bottom. In cases where the container frame is racked and the door gear will not operate correctly.)
2. LockboxThe lock box is a steel box welded to the right hand door which overlaps a staple welded to the left hand door. A padlock, normally type CISA type 285 66 can then be attached inside the lock box through the staple and is then protected from direct attack, hindering attempts to gain entry to the container.
3. Lockrods, cam keepers, handlesEach door is fitted with 2-4 vertical lock rods to enable opening, closing and locking of the doors.
At the end of each lock rod (top and bottom) is a cam welded in place which engages with knuckles, also known as cam keepers.
The action of engaging the cams to the keepers forms an anti-racking function.
(In certain cases, often unfortunately too many, contents of the shipping container may have shifted, or containers even dropped, causing shipping container doors and lockrods to warp)
The door handle rotates the lockbar to initiates the door opening process by forcing the cams out of their keepers. Each door handle has a door locking handle retainer that slides over the door handle when in locked position.
4. Rubber gasketsRubber gaskets are fitted to the container doors during the manufacturing process and prevent water ingress.
(Door gaskets are designed to present two or more fins against the structure or adjacent door. These are generally flexible but when the gasket is damaged, they may become hard or blocked thus jamming the door closed, or preventing it being closed.)
5. ISO markings and CSC plateISO markings and a consolidated data plate allow worldwide intermodal transport when left in place and updated as necessary.
6. Hinge pinsOf course for a door to work, you need hinges.
(In certain cases when doors are difficult to open, hinge pins and blade are seized due to corrosion.)
Find Shipping Container Doors and Parts Here
Choosing the Right Company for Buying a ISO ContainerWhen doing research in finding the right ISO container, follow some of these tips:
Research OnlineChoose which companies have a good track record of excellence and reputation. Read reviews and what other customers have to say.
Check for AvailabilityIf you are shipping from various locations, check for availability if containers can be delivered to your required areas.
Check for Best PricingIf money matters, you can find used container resellers online that might be able to offer half the price on used containers.
Check for Good Customer ServiceIf you plan to order often, you might want to check for good customer service. Ask potential container companies a question through email or their online customer service. See how fast they respond.
Check for WarrantyCheck with companies to see if they offer any warranties or buy back or trade in plans.
There are millions of ISO Containers in use around the world, and a lucky few get a second life as repurposed shipping container structures. While they look a bit plain and boxy to the untrained eye, shipping containers play a critical role in our lives, whether embarking on ocean crossings to deliver the goods we use every day or venturing into a second life as a container structure.
Here are Some Fascinating Facts about ISO ContainersISO containers are not just used for cargo these days. There are many innovative and imaginative uses you may like to consider.
Here are a few ideas of how shipping containers have been used for modern, cost-effective buildings.
HomesThe trend to build cost-effective homes from recycled shipping containers started in the USA and has reached Australia.
Art GalleriesArchitect, Tomokaza Hayakawa designed an art gallery in Japan using two shipping containers stacked on each other.
Drive-Thru CoffeeStarbucks in Washington has used four old shipping containers to create an architect-designed drive-thru store.
CafesA cafe in Footscray (Melbourne) called Rudimentary has been built using three 40-foot shipping containers.
Polar StationsIndia has built a Polar Station in Antarctica using 134 shipping containers. They cover three floors and are well insulated for the weather conditions.
A well-maintained ISO container can hold 75% of its original value for 25+ years. Every day, container ships transport goods all over the world on the international seas.
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