Shipping containers are a great option for shipping freight overseas and on land – it’s what they were made for. Since they’re made of COR-TEN steel and constructed to be wind and watertight, they’re extremely durable and can withstand long journeys over land and sea. What’s more, their windowless, one-entry-point design keeps your goods secure and private while they go from one.

These containers are available in a wide range of standardized dimensions and weight-bearing capacities, allowing you to select the most suitable specifications that align with your cargo’s weight and volume requirements.

What is Container Shipping?

Container shipping, also known as container transportation, means using standardized cargo containers to transport goods by sea, rail, or road. These containers, usually made of steel or aluminum, serve as a protective shell for the commodities inside, shielding them from external elements and damage.

Key Benefits of Container Shipping

Container shipping offers a number of advantages:

• Efficiency: Containers are easy to load and unload, which reduces turnaround times at ports.
• Security: Containers protect goods from damage and theft during transit.
• Intermodal transportation: Containers can be transferred easily between ships, trucks, and trains.
• Cost-effective: Standardization lowers handling costs and enhances supply chain predictability.
• Environmental benefits: Container shipping is often more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to other transport methods.

History and Evolution of the Shipping Container

The concept of using a container for shipping is not new. But the invention of the modern shipping container in the mid-20th century completely revolutionized global trade. 

Here’s how:

Before the standard shipping container, goods came in containers of all shapes and sizes, which made handling complicated – and very costly. For example, when goods were transferred from ship to rail, they often needed to be unloaded and repacked to fit the train car.

The new standard shipping containers made things, well, standard. Goods could be loaded onto ships, trains, and trucks without having to be unpacked. This dramatically reduced costs and delays. Standardized containers were also much more effective at protecting goods from damage and theft.

A new world of global trade was born.