Intermodal containers also go by many other names. Some of the most popular alternative names consist of: box, ISO Container, high-cube container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer effective and safe and secure storage for moving materials across the globe via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" means that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal means from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to unload and relaod the contents of the container. 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 8 feet or 2.438 m to 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are roughly 17 million intermodal containers in the world of various types to suit a range of cargoes.
Containers could be transported by semi-truck trailer, container ship and freight trains. They could travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes using container cranes. Usually a reach-stacker is employed to transfer from a flat-bed truck to a rail car. These units are secured during transportation by a variety of "twistlock" points located at every corner on the container.
In order to manage to containers tracking and identification, each container is equipped with a BIC code or bin identification code painted directly on the outside of the box. These models could carry things ranging around 20 to 25 tonnes.
When using rail transport, the containers can be carried on well cars or on flatcars. Well cars are specifically designed for transport by containers. They can safely and efficiently accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system can actually restrict the specific modes of the shipment and the kinds of container shipment. For example, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries such as 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 strong enough to last through the many travels across extreme distances. These containers are reused by businesses and are able to transport huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting many of the things we depend on everyday around the globe.