Container

What is a container?

The container is basically a metal container that has dimensions with world standards that have different types. Container shipping is very popular among traders and shippers due to its many advantages and is more widespread than other methods.

These benefits include the following:

Protection of goods against external factors such as wind and rain and theft along the way
Convenient and optimal use of ship and warehouse space
Reduce the cost of packaging goods for transportation
Increase speed and convenience in unloading and loading
Convenience of clearing or sorting containers in yards and ships
Convenient counting and monitoring
Container selection

In choosing a container or container, major factors such as its capacity and dimensions, the type of goods to be loaded (dry or frozen goods or trucks), the permissible limit of road transport and road transport facilities, as well as unloading and loading the container at the intended origin and destination Must be considered.

Load distribution inside the container

The load should be evenly distributed inside the container to avoid imbalance and the problems it creates. For this purpose, for example, when loading a heavy cargo, it should be placed inside a nearby container or on the center of gravity of the container and the means of transport.

Numbers on the container

Each container bears not only the logo or acronym of the landlord (owner) but also a number of digits which are codes or signs indicating the necessary information. Examples of these figures and signs are:

Container number

For example, USLU Container Number 41308-7: The first three letters represent the US LINE shipping line and the fourth letter represents the container assignment to the US Railroad. The six-digit number is actually the container number and the number 7 for control. These letters and numbers are written legibly and visibly on the body of the container and at the same time are engraved in the corners of its bases.

Check containers before loading

A - Appearance and body:

No holes or crevices in the walls.
Doors open and close easily.
Lock bars and handles work properly.
There are no remnants of the previous shipment left in it.
B - Inside the container:

1- Water permeability: For this purpose, the container doors can be completely closed and it can be checked whether light shines through the door or floor or ceiling or not.

2- More care should be taken with the bottom of the container because in road transport, water is usually sprayed from the bottom to the top and there is more possibility for penetration into the inside.

3- In the case of non-roofed containers that are covered with tents, the tent and related rods and the passage of the tent rope and especially the size of the tent should be checked. In addition, in all cases, it must be ensured that the container is clean and free of contamination and that there is no excess material or remnants of previous goods left in it.

Container ownership:

Containers are divided into two general categories in terms of ownership or iodine:

SHIPPER`S OWNED CNTR = SOC or containers belonging to the sender

CARRIER`S OWNED CNTR = COC or containers belonging to the carrier

Types of containers

Standard 20 foot container and Hight cube

This container has standard dimensions according to the table below, which is well suited for storing goods inside it and makes it easy to transport by trailer and ship. This container is mostly used in sea and land transportation and is available in two types, ordinary and high cube.

Standard 40 foot container and Hight cube

Another type of standard container is 40 feet or 12 meters, and the most important applications are the same as the previous type in industry, road and sea freight or storage of imported and exported products. Also, due to its compatibility with the floor of trailers, it is usually used in ground transportation compared to other types. These containers are also available in two types, ordinary and high cube.

OPET TOP open the container

Open containers, as its name implies, have no roof and are covered with a loaded tarpaulin and are more suitable for high and high goods and have two types of 20 ', 40'.

Reefer refrigerated container

Refrigerated containers are mostly used for loading perishable materials and are equipped with a cooling system. These containers come in a variety of sizes, including standard 20 ', 40' and 40 'cubes.

Tanker container

This type of container has a suitable space for transporting liquids to all parts.

Flat rack

There is one or more large opening doors on the side of the container, which makes this advantage easier to load and is available in two types, 20 'and 40'.

Flat container Plat form

In this type of containers, after loading and restraining the goods, they are loaded on the lower surface and after restraint, they are ready to be transported and moved. It is used for transporting heavy items such as machinery, iron and steel.