How to Transport Containers Safely?

Before the advent of container shipping, the process of transporting goods was cumbersome and inefficient. All goods must be manually loaded onto cargo ships, trains or trucks one by one and unloaded one by one at their destination, a process that consumes a lot of time and manpower. Each transfer takes time and days, and it is difficult to balance the time cost with the economic cost.

However, the arrival of the container changed all that. Their ideal size and standardized design allow any cargo to be stored efficiently and easily stowed in a wide range of transport vehicles, such as boats, trains and trucks. Nowadays, the global transportation of goods almost all rely on containers, with the improvement of loading and unloading efficiency, the cost of time and money has been significantly reduced. The large-scale integration of shipping and land transportation has promoted the flow speed and globalization process of goods trading, and greatly facilitated people’s production and life.

What is shipping container?

A shipping container is a standardized reusable steel box used to store and move products and raw materials between locations or countries. There are various shapes and sizes, but the most common are 20 feet and 40 feet long, and they all conform to international standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The main advantage of using standard-sized shipping containers is that they can be loaded and unloaded, stacked and transported efficiently over long distances.

Shipping containers have multiple uses and applications:

1. Transport Goods: The original, and still the primary use of shipping containers is to securely and efficiently transport goods and materials. Everything from cars to grain to refrigerated food products can be packed inside these containers and shipped.
2. Storage: When not in use for transport, many people use shipping containers for storage due to their durability and lockability. They’re frequently seen on construction sites, acting as secure, temporary storage for tools and equipment.
3. Housing and Offices: More recently, shipping containers have been used in architecture and building, from affordable housing projects to stylish, luxury homes. This idea is known as ‘container architecture’. They are also widely used to create temporary and permanent office spaces.
4. Disaster Relief: In the aftermath of a disaster, shipping containers can provide quick, safe, and comfortable shelter, making them a valuable tool in efforts for disaster relief.
5. Pop-up Shops and Restaurants: Many entrepreneurs are turning shipping containers into pop-up shops, restaurants, cafes, and semi-permanent buildings for their businesses.