| Freight Containers are used in intermodal freight | | | | a wide variety of sizes and types, and some of |
| transport, and are key items used in a system | | | | these are: |
| known as containerization. They are also known as | | | | - 40ft : 20ft : 10ft |
| intermodal transport units and are loaded and sealed | | | | - 8ft x 8ft 6" or 9ft 6" standard height |
| intact onto railroad cars, ships, planes and trucks. | | | | They may have single or double ended doors. In |
| The introduction of them resulted in huge | | | | addition containers can be: |
| improvements in port handling efficiency, which had | | | | - Damp-proof : Water-proof |
| the effect of lowering freight charges, and lowering | | | | - Fire-proof : Vandal proof & highly secure |
| general costs which helps boost the flow of trade. | | | | Containers can be painted to the customers own |
| Many manufactured products humans consume, will | | | | choice, and if required fully fitted with secure data |
| have spent some time in freight containers. | | | | centres. |
| The introduction of them led to purpose built vessels, | | | | Shipping containers may be insulated, which is ideal |
| which started in Denmark in 1951. They have | | | | for paper or furniture storage purposes. They also |
| revolutionized cargo shipping, and today around 90% | | | | may have double or single ended doors, and some |
| of non bulk cargo world wide is transported by | | | | may even have a personal door conversion i.e. a door |
| freight containers stacked on ships. Freight containers | | | | fitted into one side of the container. |
| are mostly constructed from steel, and have an | | | | Different types of containers can include: |
| opening usually at one end. Other types of freight | | | | - Dry container |
| containers may be made from wood for different | | | | - Reefer container |
| storage and transport purposes. | | | | - High cube reefer |
| Freight containers are manufactured in various | | | | - Open top |
| different sizes, and new shipping containers are | | | | - Flat rack container |
| normally made from high tensile rust inhibiting Corten | | | | Damaged or retired containers may be recycled in |
| Steel, which helps to increase their lifespan. These | | | | the form of shipping container architecture, or the |
| containers will have a CSC plate (MoT), they come in | | | | steel content may be salvaged. |