Today, maritime transport provides a large part of the exchange of goods between the different countries of the world. The container then appears to be one of the most preferred storage methods for the transport of goods worldwide. Ensuring the proper packaging of the goods is one of the key steps to optimize its transport strategy.
Among different shapes, different types and different brands of container, one question echoes: how to choose the container adapted to your needs?
What is a shipping container?
Appeared in the 1950s on the American coasts, the shipping container is a large steel box with a treated wooden floor. With a standardized size of 20 or 40 feet, the maritime container is easily transportable, as its name suggests, by cargo.
Thanks to its steel design, the container is particularly durable over time, allowing it to be recycled later in various industries (arts, real estate, etc.). It can also be equipped with isothermal walls equipped with a cold group, and in this case it will have an aluminum floor. If you want to reuse this type of container, consider removing the electrical wiring using a cable stripping machine.
Beyond its nature as a container, it protects and reduces the risk of breakage, theft, or damage that may occur during transport. The container now plays an elementary role in international trade since in 2019 this means of transport represents 90% of world trade.
In these containers can transit all types of goods ranging from bulk products (cereals, coffee, coal, etc.) to fresh products, including toys, cars, textiles and many more. Each type of container is adapted to the goods it must transport.
The different types of containers
First, it is necessary to know that a container is fully standardized. Two sizes exist and are referenced worldwide:
For each of these containers, the height and width remain standard for the sake of methodology and efficiency. Indeed, this facilitates stacking on ships, in ports, but also during transport to the final destination.
The DRY shipping container
The DRY container, also called "general purpose container" is available in the two sizes present on the market. It is a box closed at the ends whose roof and walls are rigid and perfectly sealed.
It is suitable for the transport of dry goods and excludes dangerous products, perishable products or even living organisms (livestock, insects, etc.). Note that 7 out of 10 DRY containers contain boxes, bags, or even pallets. This type of container can carry up to 27 Euro pallets.
The High Cube Container
This container is a taller version of the DRY shipping container. Indeed, it measures an additional thirty centimeters in height, making it the most suitable format for storing large equipment.
This container also has a specificity when it is available in the “Pallet wide High Cube” format, a format whose internal surface is enlarged to 244 cm, the equivalent of two Europe pallets aligned in width. This option makes it possible to limit the empty space and to transport 33 pallets, i.e. 6 more than normal.
The Refrigerated Container
The refrigerated container, also called "reefer container" in English, is specially adapted for the transport of perishable products. Uniquely designed for commercial use, it ensures the transport of fresh products during long journeys by ship, train or truck and helps to guarantee well-preserved products.
To keep the goods cool, the container has an electric motor to change its temperature. The temperature is adjustable and can reach up to -35°C.
However, because of its electric motor, it must remain permanently supplied with electricity. It is therefore either connected to the container ship, or connected to the truck, or even to the train.
The Open Top Container
It is a container similar to the DRY container in its format but has the particularity of being equipped with a removable roof. The movable cover that acts as a roof helps with vertical loading and unloading. It is therefore suitable for transporting bulky products.
The Flat Rack Container
Flat containers do not have side walls. They are divided into two subcategories:
- “Flat Rack fixed end” whose end walls are fixed
- “Flat Rack Collapsible” whose end walls are movable and can be folded down.
“Flat” which means “flat” in English describes the surface of the container. This is intended for the transport of heavy or bulky products (boat, construction machinery, coils, etc.) resistant to bad weather. Its advantage is that by using it, the goods can exceed the standard dimensions of the container.
In addition, to take on heavy loads, it is reinforced at the base and equipped with anchor points.
The tank container
The tank container is designed for the transport of liquid products. In order to contain all types of products, different layers of materials protect the structure. They include stainless steel, polyurethane, and aluminum.
Thanks to this protection, dangerous liquids, corrosive products or even toxic goods are allowed in the tank, subject to authorisation.
Regarding the capacity of the tank, it varies between 14,000 and 26,000 liters depending on its size.
The bulk container
This type of container is intended for the transport of solid bulk products (wheat, coffee, grains, etc.). Hatches are provided for loading and unloading as well as a disposable tarpaulin to protect the goods internally and facilitate both cleaning and reuse of the container.
How to choose the right container for your needs?
To choose the right type of container, it is necessary to identify its needs in particular according to the characteristics (types of goods, packaging, etc.).
The type of goods will induce a particular type of container. For example, if the flow is composed of corrosive products, it will be necessary to use a tank container that complies with the properties of the product.
Finally, the volume can also have its role to play. For example, you will have to look at the ratio between the price of a 40-footer and that of two 20-footers to make the right choice, especially with regard to the cost of sea freight.
How to proceed ?
First of all, it is necessary to understand that it will not just be necessary to provide a container and find a shipping company to send it abroad. This question is much more complex, it will be necessary to take into account all the stages related to the shipment of goods including handling at the place of departure, then customs clearance for export and anticipating the freight.
Arrived at the port, it will then be necessary to do the import customs clearance as well as the handling and the transfer to the final destination.
So to send your goods by sea, the support of a professional is precious. Specialist in the field, XP LOG and the SEALOGIS group could accompany you in the various stages ranging from the shipment of your containers until their arrival at their destination. Do not hesitate to contact us here.