| Let us introduce shipping containers first. Shipping | | | | So what do you transport in containers? Almost |
| containers are standard sized boxes in which you ship | | | | everything is the short answer. Most consumer goods |
| merchandise. These are not small boxes for packing a | | | | are transported in containers from manufacturing |
| pair of shoes. Standard shipping containers typically | | | | factories to the distributor warehouses. Heavy |
| come in 8 feet by 8.5 (or 9.5) feet cross-sections, 20 | | | | machinery is transported in containers up to the |
| or 40 or 45 feet long. So they compare best with log | | | | customer site. There are custom built containers to |
| cabins than shoeboxes. (In fact, a popular use for | | | | accommodate different kinds of merchandise. A look |
| empty shipping containers is to convert them into | | | | at these customizations will give some idea of the |
| houses.) | | | | variety of merchandise that travel in containers. |
| Shipping containers transformed the logistics scenario | | | | - DRY VAN containers are designed to |
| and led to a huge expansion in world trade. You pack | | | | accommodate such items cartons, jute bags, bales, |
| your merchandise into shipping containers at the | | | | pallets and drums |
| factory, load it into a standard container truck that | | | | - REEFER containers are temperature controlled in the |
| goes to the nearest railroad station or sea port where | | | | range of minus 25 degrees centigrade to plus 25 |
| the containers are transferred by specialized container | | | | degrees centigrade |
| handling equipment into a railcar or ocean going ship. | | | | - OPEN TOP special bulk containers are for bulk |
| The railcar then travels thousands of miles to a distant | | | | materials and heavy machinery |
| city or the nearest seaport. The custom built container | | | | - OPEN SIDE containers can accommodate large |
| ships are designed to accept containers on their open | | | | sized pallets |
| deck, and accommodate a large number of shipping | | | | - VENTILATED containers carry organic produce that |
| containers without wasting storage space. (Containers | | | | need to be ventilated during transit |
| stored thus can occasionally tumble down into the sea | | | | - TANK containers carry bulk liquids |
| during a storm while the ship is at sea.) | | | | - ROLLING FLOOR containers allow difficult-to-handle |
| Merchandise Shipped in Containers | | | | cargo to be rolled in and out |
| You pack your merchandise packages, say, cartons | | | | - HANGAR BEAM FITTED containers accommodate |
| with shoe boxes inside, into these containers. The | | | | garments on hangars without further packing |
| merchandise packages are designed to occupy the | | | | Shipping Container Legalities |
| space inside the shipping containers without wasting | | | | Containers need Convention for Safe Containers |
| any space. You seal the container door securely. | | | | (CSC) certification (authorized by International Maritime |
| The container typically travels unopened till it reaches | | | | Organization) to prove their "continued safe handling |
| its destination. It might get transferred to trucks, railcars, | | | | and transportability in the commercial intermodal |
| ships or even aircraft during this travel. At the | | | | transport environment". The inspections need to be |
| destination seaport or airport, it gets transferred again | | | | carried out periodically. |
| into railcars or trucks for transport to the destination | | | | Merchandise in export trade also needs customs |
| city. | | | | inspection and certification before shipment. |