The intermodal container could be called by other names like a box, high-cube container, ISO container, sea can, freight container, container and conex box. These models are made from standardized reusable steel. They offer efficient and safe and secure storage for moving supplies across the globe via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The term "Intermodal" means that the container is capable of being moved from one kind of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal refers from ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to unload and relaod the container's contents. Some of the container lengths that 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 2.438 m or 8feet to 9 feet, 6 inches or 2.9 m. It is estimated that there are roughly 17 million intermodal containers in the world of various types to suit a range of cargoes.
Containers can be transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They can travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes by container cranes. Usually a reach-stacker is 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 each corner on the container.
Every container is outfitted with a particular BIC code or bin identification code that is painted on the outside in order to take care of tracking and identification. These models could carry items ranging around 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 can efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system could actually restrict the particular modes of the shipment and the types of container shipment. Like for example, the smaller loading gauges which are usually found within European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In certain countries such as the UK, there are some sections of the rail network that cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can utilize well cars only.
These containers are built to last and are utilized to travel extreme distances. They are re-used with businesses and could lift an enormous amount of cargo. These containers are responsible for transporting many of the stuff we depend on everyday all around the world.