Freight containers, also known as shipping containers, are standardized enclosures designed to facilitate the efficient transportation of goods across the globe. These containers adhere to specific dimensions, commonly 20’x8’x8.5′, 40’x8’x8.5′, or 45’x8’x9.5′, and must meet stringent sturdiness standards to endure long ocean voyages and transfers between various transport modes. Containers compliant with these standards are eligible for CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) certification, a prerequisite for international shipping.
Specialized infrastructure, including trucks, railcars, and handling equipment, has been developed to accommodate these standardized containers. The containers fit securely into these vehicles and ships’ cargo holds, while handling equipment effortlessly transfers them between trucks, railcars, and ships, streamlining the intermodal transport process. Many containers, especially those 20 feet or shorter, feature forklift pockets for easy handling.
The standardization of freight containers has significantly enhanced the speed and efficiency of cargo movement, driving the expansion of global trade. This efficiency is largely attributed to the ease and speed of transshipping containers between different transport modes—intermodal transport. The ability to seamlessly transport goods across various terrains, such as water, rail, road, and air, ensures uninterrupted delivery from origin to destination.
**Freight Container Ships**
Freight containers are typically transported on specialized “cellular” container ships. These ships are designed with cargo areas divided into standard cells that accommodate containers, resembling a honeycomb structure. The cargo capacity of these ships is measured in TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), where one TEU represents the space occupied by a 20-foot container and two TEUs represent a 40-foot container. Modern container ships can carry nearly 5000 TEUs.
**Freight Containers and Security**
Freight containers are designed to be vandal-resistant and feature robust locking mechanisms, typically consisting of a double door secured by four locking bars that extend the entire height of the container. These locking bars include lockable handles that can be secured with padlocks and seals.
Enhancing security involves packing and locking the container at the shipper’s location and only opening it at the consignee’s premises. Any necessary customs inspections and certifications are conducted at these locations, reducing the risk of tampering or theft.
Consequently, container-based shipments benefit from lower insurance costs due to the reduced risk of theft, pilferage, and damage.
**Packing Freight Containers**
Efficiently packing freight containers requires careful planning. Cartons come in various sizes, and the internal dimensions of containers are smaller than their external dimensions. Therefore, simply dividing the external volume of a container by the volume of a carton will not accurately determine the number of cartons that can be packed inside.
For example, a 20-foot container has internal dimensions of approximately 19.35’x7.71’x7.83′, providing an internal volume of 1168 cubic feet. To maximize space utilization, it is crucial to consider the arrangement of cartons within the container.
By strategically arranging cartons and considering their dimensions relative to the container’s internal space, shippers can optimize packing efficiency and minimize wasted space. Proper planning is essential to maximize the number of cartons that can be safely and securely packed within a freight container.