Containers stand out as high-volume vehicles used in international transport systems. This system is designed for safe, efficient and undamaged transport of products. Containers are in the form of steel boxes and can be reused by offering many advantageous features.
Containers can be transported with different modes of transport before unloading the materials inside. Each container is designed for different purposes and its dimensions and types are determined in accordance with ISO 6346 standards. Today, there are approximately 17 million active containers.
The intensity of container transport has accelerated the efforts to standardise container dimensions. Contributing to the standardisation efforts in this field, European railways, US railways, US highways and US maritime transport authorities have standardised container transport by creating 4 ISO standards in accordance with customer needs.
Accordingly:
With the entry into force of R-668 in 1968, definitions, criteria and measurements were determined. Then R-790, which entered into force in July 1968, succeeded in determining the identification marking marks. R-1161, which entered into force in January 1970 for the completion of the container corner assembly, finalised this process. R-1897, which entered into force in October of the same year, determined the minimum internal dimensions for containers designed for general purposes.
Standardisation of containers is of critical importance in terms of ensuring easier transport of cargoes while at the same time preventing any confusion that may occur. If containers were not standardised, it would be inevitable to encounter a number of unwanted problems during the transfer of cargo and goods. For example, if a cargo is loaded in Turkey and then transported to the UK, there is a risk that it may not fit in the container or there may be a gap. This can lead to unexpected additional costs and losses for businesses. Thanks to standardised container types, many problems that both containers and owner companies may encounter during the transfer are prevented in advance.
What are Container Types?
In international transport, containers play an important role in the safe, undamaged, fast and efficient transport of products. In this context, there are various container types.
1. High Containers: It is generally the preferred container type for the transport of bulky products.
2. Standard Containers: It is the most widely used container type and is suitable for transporting a wide range of products.
3. Openable Top Containers: Top-opening containers are used for loading or unloading products from the top.
4. Open Top Containers: Usually used for transporting large or heavy materials; the top is completely open.
5. Open Containers: These containers with open sides are used especially for transporting long or wide loads.
6. Platform Containers: They have a flat floor and are usually ideal for transporting large machine parts or heavy loads.
7. Refrigerated Containers: Used for transporting frozen or chilled products; the internal temperature can be controlled.
8. Tank Containers: It has a cylindrical tank used for transporting liquid or gaseous products.
9. Bulk Cargo Containers: Specially designed for transporting fine-grained or liquid cargoes.
10. Ventilated Containers: It is preferred when certain products require appropriate temperature and ventilation.
Standard Container
Standard containers used for general freight transport are preferred for transporting cargoes of various tonnages. These containers have a length of 6 metres, width and height of 2.35 metres respectively. They have the capacity to carry loads between 25-30 tonnes. This frequently used container type is preferred because it is suitable for general purpose transport. The ability to fit through the door entrance allows various products to be transported easily.
Highcube Containers
This type of containers are specially designed for the transport of lighter and large volume loads. They attract attention by having a 30 cm higher structure than normal 40 containers.
Openable Top Containers
The design of such containers makes it possible to open the roof. Their openable top allows loads that are difficult to load to be easily placed in the container. This type of container offers significant advantages, especially in cases where loading through the door is difficult.
Open Top Container
Open top containers are a type of container that can be left open or optionally covered with tarpaulin. Especially the use of flexible tarpaulin allows higher loads to be easily transported.
Open Containers
Containers without roof and side walls are called "open containers". These containers, which are especially used to transport loads that do not fit in standard containers, offer an ideal solution for transporting generators, large construction machinery, large and high loads.
Platform Containers
This type of container, which has a strong base, is especially used to carry loads that are likely to overflow from yachts and similar vehicles, as well as heavy loads. The fact that they only have a base allows large-scale loads to be transported more easily.
Refrigerated Containers
Refrigerated containers are special types of containers whose internal temperature can be continuously controlled. These containers have their own cooling units and provide the necessary energy by using the ship's power supply when loaded on board. For this reason, they are frequently preferred especially in food transport situations. During the transport period, the temperature values are monitored by different recording devices and can be easily controlled via panels outside the container.
Tank Container
Tank containers, which are made suitable for use by placing a cylindrical tank inside a steel rectangular construction structure, are used to ensure safe and trouble-free transport of gas and liquid loads. In these containers, the tank must be at least 80 per cent full. This condition aims to prevent possible turbulence against shocks. For safety reasons, it is important that the tank is filled to a maximum of 95%; however, it is not recommended to exceed this rate. This approach aims to prevent potential hazards by controlling the expansion that occurs with temperature increases.
Bulk Cargo Containers
Bulk cargo containers, which are especially used effectively in the transport of agricultural products, stand out in order to transport granular products such as wheat, barley, oil seeds and sand more easily. These containers offer an effective loading process by adapting to factors such as pump, conveyor, gravity depending on the product to be loaded and the loading systems to be used. These types of containers usually have 3 loading doors and 2 discharge doors.
Ventilated Container
Ventilated containers have special air ducts in the bottom and top profiles, allowing natural air circulation. Ventilated container types are generally used for the transport of loads that require air to be passed through and offer an effective solution, especially for the transport of products such as green coffee grains.
Glovit Logistics Quality in Container Transport
Achieving success in foreign trade and ensuring company growth requires working with a logistics company that offers high standards of service. Otherwise, it may be inevitable to encounter unwanted problems in the process of transferring goods and goods within the logistics chain. In this context, Glovit Logistics always has an expectation-oriented service approach that enables you to manage foreign trade transactions smoothly with reliable, high quality and fast solutions.
Our company keeps the process under control by mastering customer needs and requests within the logistics chain. Glovit Logistics, which always serves in accordance with customer demands with its expert staff, provides service without sacrificing quality with solutions that carry your loads. With its long years of experience and customer-oriented approach, Glovit Logistics stands out as a qualified address in the logistics sector. If you want to benefit from privileged opportunities for businesses and make a difference in foreign trade, you can contact us immediately using our contact numbers. Glovit Logistics continues to be the only address of effective solutions and advantageous opportunities.