Modern shipping container has celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. Almost from the first expedition, use of this method of transporting goods, has grown steadily in just five decades, containerships would carry around 60% of the value of goods shipped via sea.
Containers could be moved harmoniously between ships, trucks and trains. This would simplify the complete logistical process and, subsequently, implementing this idea led to a transformation in cargo shipping and international trade over the next 50 years.
International shipment of goods is mainly based on container transport, especially in the maritime sector. These containers are made with standard sizes and can be transported easily and effectively over long distances and transferred from one means of transport to another without being opened. Standardized containers have totally revolutionized the transport and shipping industry, allowing the transport of goods by road, rail and ship easily.
It was a logical step that container sizes could be standardized so that they could be most effectively stacked and so that trucks, trains, ships and cranes at the port could be properly fitted or built to a single size specification.
This standardization of containers would eventually apply across the global industry. The standards now apply across the global markets, all thanks to the work of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as in 1961, had set standard sizes for all containers. The two most important, and most commonly used sizes, even today, are the 40-foot and 20-foot lengths.
The classic container has solid surfaces and a rear terminus with two easily leak-proof leaves. In particular cases, such as the transportation of liquids or food products, tanks, refrigerated containers, open tops and containers with openable side walls are used.
Dry storage containers – These are the standardized shipping containers, which are used to transport dry materials, normally in 40ft, 20ft and 10ft lengths.
World logistics extensively uses container shipments, for this reason, major international ports provide specifically dedicated terminals for loading and unloading the containers and their transfer on trucks or trains. Some ports have become hubs, that is the areas with the largest concentration of containers on national and international routes, especially to / from South-East Asia, Europe and North America.
Conclusion
This mode of transportation development brings huge benefits to international trade in terms of reducing transportation costs, damage to goods and theft. Since the item remains inside the container from the start, then from the manufacturer to the customer, the supply chain is simplified and each movement is automated thanks to the use of specific means.