The intermodal container could be referred to by other names like a box, high-cube container, ISO container, sea can, freight container, conex box, and container. These models are manufactured from standardized reusable steel. They offer secure and efficient and safe storage for transporting materials all around the globe via a global containerized intermodal freight system.
"Intermodal" is a term that refer to the container that could be moved between one type of transport to another. Intermodal could mean from a ship to rail or ship to truck, without having to reload and unload the contents of the container. A few of the container lengths which have a unique 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 2.9 m or 9 feet, 6 inches. It is estimated that there are around 17 million intermodal containers of various kinds to suit a range of cargoes within the globe.
These containers can be transported by container ship, freight train and semi-truck trailer. They can also travel many distances without having to be unpacked. At container terminals, they are transferred between modes using container cranes. Normally a reach-stacker is utilized 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 every corner on the container.
Each and every container is outfitted with a specific bin identification code or BIC code which is painted on the outside in order to take care of tracking and identification. These units are capable of carrying objects ranging around 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 could accommodate double-stacked containers safely and efficiently. 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 normally found in European railroads would only handle single-stacked containers. In some nations like the UK, there are some sections of the rail network that 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 companies and are able to transport huge amounts of cargo. These containers are responsible for moving many of the items we rely on everyday around the world.