With the large-scale globalization and ease of doing business across countries, never has the importance of logistics been this prominent. There is an ever-increasing need for bulk transportation, and hence, the requirement for shipping containers are also on the rise. Apart from the fact that these are made from different materials to withstand specific conditions, some other nuances differentiate them from each other. Customers are almost always in a dilemma as to the differentiation of such products. Here is a guide to some of the main points to note before going for a purchase.
Shipping Containers
When goods are transported using cargo ships, go for shipping containers, which are steel boxes of standard sizes like 20-foot, 40-foot, etc. Since these containers must face the wrath of sea or ocean conditions, they are made of high-quality corrugated steel called Corten steel. The life span of these containers ranges from 15 to 18 years due to their high resistance to rust and corrosion.
Storage Containers
As the name indicates, these containers are generally used to transport those goods which are later stored in the same. They differ from a shipping container in the following aspects:
- They are made from various light-weight materials like aluminum
- Storage containers come in a variety of sizes and shapes according to the specification of the goods to be stored
- The doors of these containers roll up like garage doors for easier access to products within
- Generally, these containers can be used for about 5 to 10 years
CONEX Containers
Also called a ‘CONEX box’ or a ‘Sea can,’ these containers have a very efficient space management capability as they are available as modular units that can be stacked in a place. Military units extensively used them during the Korean War. This kind of logistics method was termed Container Express, and hence the name ‘CONEX.’ These are also called intermodal containers due to their ease of movement from one type of transportation to another. They are usually 10-feet, 20-feet or 40-feet tall with varying widths.
Though all three of the containers mentioned above might appear similar in their utilities, the type of container that you choose will depend on conditions like the type of goods, space, distance to be covered, durability, etc. Before committing to any purchase, it is always advisable to thoroughly go through the specifications and look at the prototypes provided by the dealer.
For more information on the right container to use for your job, contact Southeast Container at 615-450-6005.