Containers

Containers

What are shipping containers?

Shipping containers are large, strongly built metal boxes that are used to transport goods over long distances. Standardised or general purpose containers, widely used for shipping by rail, road, or sea, make transporting goods, stowing, and cargo handling easier. These have made the international shipping of goods more efficient and brought in economies of scale. 

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A shipping container is a solid metal, reusable box made from corten steel used to transport manufactured products and goods from point A to B. From household items such as coffee tables and TVs to microwave ovens, Seven zahermarine have over 25 years of experience safely shipping containerised goods all around the world.

Before 1956, each and every box had to be manually moved and stacked onto a ship, making the process time consuming and labour intensive. Then, Malcom Mclean pioneered the concept of containerisation, which condenses all of the goods into secure containers, reducing congestion in ports, shortening shipping times, and minimising damage and theft. Shortly after, Keith Tentlinger, a mechanical engineer and inventor, developed designs such as corner castings and twist-lock systems. These would allow containers to securely connect to each other and various modes of transport such as trains and trucks using the twist-lock system.

Thanks to these simple, yet revolutionary ideas, shipping containers increased international trade contributing to the sustainability of economies all over the world.