| Containerization is an inter-modal system of | | | | and shapes of commercial vehicles carrying containers |
| transporting the general cargo or product in lots | | | | are also getting standardized. Today, improved cargo |
| which are too small for the traditional bulk transport | | | | security is seen as an added benefit of |
| system, using ISO standard containers. The goods | | | | containerization. The cargo is not visible and hence |
| can be easily moved from one location to another in | | | | less likely to be stolen and also doors of the |
| these containers which can be loaded intact onto the | | | | containers are sealed so that its safety can be |
| container ships, trucks, railroad cars and planes. The | | | | assured. Worldwide standardization of sizes of |
| concept of containerization is considered as the key | | | | containers has lessened the problems of |
| innovation in the field of logistics which has | | | | incompatibility and gauge. Today most of the trains in |
| revolutionized freight handling in the twentieth | | | | the world operate on 4 feet 8½ inch gauge |
| century. Benefits of Containerization Goods in lots | | | | track but many countries like Russia, Australia, Spain |
| which are too small for the traditional bulk transport | | | | and Finland while countries in Africa and South |
| can be moved using containers. Containerization is | | | | America use narrower gauges. Some of the largest |
| best option for high-value and delicate cargo as it | | | | global players containerizing containers today are |
| provides safety from human and natural factors. As | | | | Bowen Exports, Theiler & Sons Goods, LLC and |
| containers are moved intact, substantial amount of | | | | Patrick Global Shipping. Types of containers available |
| time and labor cost is saved which would otherwise | | | | to meet different needs: Open top bulk containers |
| have incurred in loading and unloading goods. It | | | | Open side containers General purpose dry vans |
| prevents poor handling of goods that results from | | | | Platform containers High cube pallet wide containers |
| bulk transport systems. Containers can act as mode | | | | Containers with temperature controlling facility |
| of storage anywhere along the transport route. | | | | Ventilated containers Tank containers Flush folding |
| Container ships provide regular service to overseas | | | | flat-rack containers Future Containerization reduces |
| ports, thus it minimizes the waiting time. | | | | time in transit, the inventory costs and increases |
| Containerization reduces the transit time which not | | | | reliability. Such benefits are forcing the industry to |
| only offers a means of marketing for the producer | | | | make it more favorable in terms of cost, flexibility |
| that bulk systems cannot provide, but also helps to | | | | and speed. As the Internet and other new |
| reduce the inventory costs and increases reliability. | | | | communication technologies are developing, it is |
| Following part explains the containerization in past, | | | | expected to bring more innovations which will further |
| present future: | | | | simplify the tasks of logistics. Many companies are |
| The carrying of containers through ships started in | | | | designing the freighters capable of 14000 TEU. |
| 1951 between Alaska and Seattle. The first purpose | | | | Container traffic from Asia is expected to grow |
| built container ship the Clifford J. Rodgers was built in | | | | more rapidly in near future. The containerization in |
| Montreal in 1955 which was owned by the White | | | | terms of expansion is expected to be far rapid in |
| Pass & Yukon Route. In its maiden trip it carried 600 | | | | China. The Asia's share of containerized exports to |
| containers between Skagway, Alaska and North | | | | world's total exports is expected to reach nearly 64 |
| Vancouver, British Columbia. These containers could | | | | % in 2015. Past The effort to ship cargo in container |
| be moved by rail, truck and ships. This way gradually, | | | | initiated in the beginning of 19th century. These |
| the whole inter- modal system started operating. | | | | containers could be shifted from railroads to ships or |
| Malcom McLean, the US trucking industry player | | | | trucks. The containers used at that time were much |
| innovated the idea of using large containers, | | | | smaller than what we see today. In the mid 1920s |
| transferable on an inter-modal basis. With the abolition | | | | Milwaukee Railway and Chicago North Shore started |
| of Interstate Commerce Commission's regulatory, | | | | using shippers' vehicles and motor carrier vehicles on |
| deregulation of maritime rates, trucking and railway it | | | | flatcars between the route of Milwaukee and |
| became possible to develop fully integrated system. | | | | Chicago. Later, Seatrain Lines carried railroad boxcars |
| Present Today containerization has become the | | | | on ships to move goods between Cuba and New |
| integral part of logistics. It has revolutionized the | | | | York. Also, the Chicago Great Western Railway and |
| cargo shipping. Today, nearly 90% of non bulk cargo | | | | the New Haven railroad began transporting highway |
| moves by containers put on transport ships. One | | | | freight trailers on flatcars. In the early 1950s, these |
| fourth of world's total containers start from China. | | | | flatcars got more equipped with new decks. |
| With the use of ISO standard containers, the size | | | | |