Although there are many different types of container they are all manufactured to the ‘International Standards Organisation’ (ISO) dimensions specification. Therefore, a 40ft container made in Europe is the same as a 40ft container made in China. There are many different types of container to transport the variety of cargos all over the world. Almost everything you use in daily life has been transported in an ISO container – coffee, electrical items, clothing, frozen food, timber, steel, and fruit.
Although some shipping containers are made of aluminium and steel, the majority are now made entirely of a rust-prohibitive steel called “Corten’’. A basic steel frame, fitted with weight-bearing castings fitted into the eight container corners, is filled in with corrugated steel panels which are between 1.5mm to 3.00mm thick. At one end is a pair of almost full width and height doors. These are normally fitted with four locking bars which interlock with the frame top and bottom. Most containers have a 27mm thick wooden ply floor which is supported on load bearing cross-bearers approximately 30cms apart, making the container capable of withstanding loads of 20 to 35 tons – depending on size.
The containers themselves weigh around 2.5 tons for a 20ft and 4 tons for a 40ft. Due to their machinery, refrigeration containers weight more and are heavier at one end.
Shipping containers are designed to be fully waterproof, including the doors which are fitted with full wrap around seals. International Standards Organisation (ISO) containers are designed to last many years and withstand overseas crossings with laden cargo.
When padlocked through the available holes in the door gear, they are secure but can be made more secure by the fitting of a lock box, which protects the lock from interference (and the elements).
The age of a used container can vary considerably but usually they are sold by shipping lines after about 10 years of service.
