CONTAINER TYPES EXPLAINED
When it comes to choosing the right box, you must make an informed decision before purchasing (or hiring). But with so many types available, how do you know which is suitable for your specific needs?
Well, we’re glad you asked! Because the following boxes are a cross-section of the most common types available in Australia, to help you choose wisely.
General Purpose – The Box to End All Boxes: This is the most common type of ‘Intermodal Box’ available. These are the ones you’ve seen a thousand times, either in person or in the movies. They generally come in 20ft and 40ft sizes, have two doors at one end, and provide ample space to load and unload regular-sized cargo.
High Cube – The Tall Option: This is taller than a normal box by about 1 foot (0.3m), thus making it ideal for storing and transporting awkwardly shaped cargo. This extra height may not sound like much, but you’ll be surprised at how handy it is when loading and unloading!
Reefers – When Cold Isn’t Cold Enough: This is a general-purpose box that has been modified to have refrigerated units and insulation installed to keep the temperature nice and frosty. It’s ideal for storing and transporting food, flowers, pharmaceutical supplies, etc.
Insulated – Too Cool for School: This is essentially a decommissioned Reefer that no longer has the refrigerated unit power it, but still has the insulation.
Flat Rack – When Big Isn’t Big Enough: These boxes don’t have a roof at all, and only have two sides on the short ends. This makes them ideal for transporting oversized items such as heavy machinery.
Side Opening – The Ideal Way to Load and Unload Your Cargo: This has one long side that can be fully opened, providing extra loading space and easier access. This makes it ideal if you need to get to your goods regularly, or else if you need to store or transport something that won’t fit through normal doors.
Open Top – Load and Unload from Above: This is a standard general-purpose box, but instead of a roof it has a removable canvas or tarpaulin covering. This provides versatility for transporting goods of different sizes, while still offering solid steel protection from all sides.
THE EVOLUTION OF the humble CONTAINER
There are many different types of containers available on the market today and an infinite amount of modifications. But all of them start as standard 40ft or 20ft ‘Intermodal Boxes’ due to the need for freight to conform to ISO (International Organization for Standardisation) regulations.
The modern ‘Intermodal Box’ (sometimes called a ‘Conex Box’) was invented in 1955 by former trucking company owner Malcolm Mclean with the help of engineer Keith Tantlinger, and was 8ft tall, by 8ft wide, by 10ft long unit. The unit’s design, much just like current designs, incorporated a twist lock mechanism on all corners for secure attachment when stacking. The patents for this design were very generously donated to the world at large and thus began the standardization of sizes the world over.
The advent of standardized sizes dramatically reduced transport costs and supported the boom in international trade after World War II. It was the world’s conformity to ISO that fueled globalization as we know it today, as it eliminated the manual sorting of cargo and reduced reliance on warehousing. As a result, congestion was reduced at all major ports around the world, transportation times were shortened, and losses from theft and damage were significantly reduced.
Over the years, two sizes of boxes have become ubiquitous: the 20ft and the 40ft. These are by far the most common in international trade. The 10ft container is also used worldwide but is not as common as the other two sizes, as it has to be ‘cut down’ from a larger box.
New or 2nd hand – which is better?
When it comes to this industry there is no such thing as ‘new.’ Not in a real sense. This is because every box sold as ‘new’ in the US has already had a ‘single use.’ The reason for this is simple: commerce. The boxes are all made in China. And to buy something that weighs 3,500 kgs (or more) and get it transported to THE US, sans cargo, would cost an absolute fortune. And you, the consumer, would never stomach the cost, and would accuse us of daylight robbery!
This is why every ‘new’ box gets shipped to the US full of cargo. Just once. Then, when it’s unloaded, We can sell it to customers at a much cheaper price. And even though it’s technically had a ‘single use,’ it is still, in a very real sense, ‘new.’ Because all ‘new’ boxes have to be in perfect condition when we sell them. And if they’re not in perfect condition, due to some mishap at sea, or while unloading, then we advertise them as ‘2nd hand.’
Secondhand boxes are of course much cheaper than new ones (like, d’uh!). However, be aware that they’re likely to have undergone multiple sea journeys, have had multiple owners, and will have the bumps scrapes, and dents to prove it. So when buying a second hand it’s important to ask: ‘Is it sea-worthy?’, because some (older) 2nd hand boxes might have rust or significant damage due to wear-and-tear or age, and thus not be suitable for transportation.
They will however be just fine for storing your bits and bobs in them at the end of your garden. Just remember that in all things, you get what you pay for. So if a company is offering stock that costs next to nothing, you’re going to end up with something sub-par for your needs.
CALL US TODAY – YOUR BACK POCKET WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!
No client is too big or too small for us. Over the 30 plus years we’ve been in business, we’ve supplied new and used stock to everyone from individuals and small businesses, right on up to local councils, major construction companies, mining conglomerates, energy companies, international airlines, and state and federal government departments. We have major depots all around the country that are overflowing with stock, we pride ourself on our levels of customer service, and we offer a price match guarantee.