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 units are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They provide effective and safe and secure storage for transporting materials across the world via a international containerized intermodal freight system.
The word "Intermodal" refers that the container could be moved from one type of transport to another. Like for example, intermodal refers from ship to truck or ship to rail, without having to reload and unload the contents of the container. Several of the container lengths that have a distinctive ISO 6346 reporting mark on them vary from 8-feet or 2.438 m to 17.07m or 56 feet. These models are as high as 2.438 m or 8feet to 9 feet, 6 inches or 2.9 m. It is estimated that there are approximately 17 million intermodal containers within the world of various kinds to suit a variety of cargoes.
Containers can be transported by freight train, semi-truck trailer and container ship. They could travel the distance of a single journey without being unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes utilizing 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 variety of "twistlock" points located at each corner on the container.
Each container is equipped with a specific bin identification code or BIC code that is painted on the outside in order to take care of identification and tracking. These units could lift objects ranging around 20 to 25 tonnes.
For transport on rails, the container may be carried on flatcars or on well cars. Well cars have been designed particularly for use by intermodal containers. They can efficiently and safely accommodate double-stacked containers. The loading gauge of a rail system may actually restrict the kinds of container shipment and the specific modes of the shipment. Like for instance, the smaller loading gauges which are typically found in European railroads would just handle single-stacked containers. In certain nations like for example the UK, there are some sections of the rail network which cannot accommodate high-cube containers, unless they can utilize 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 huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the stuff we rely on everyday around the world.