The containers which are available in the present day are mostly made of aluminium and steel. Aluminium dry containers have a slightly larger payload compared to steel dry containers. Steel dry containers have a slightly larger internal cube therefore the volume of the container is more in steel dry containers. Steel shipping containers are the most commonly used type of containers.
Containers are typically made of steel, because of their ability to carry heavy loads, withstand harsh climate conditions, in addition to, their strength and high durability. They incorporate trapezoidal metal sheets to form the walls and roof and profiles to form the ‘‘box’’ edges and the grid to support the wooden floor.
Shipping containers are containers, particularly used for sea transportation (trading goods, and food). On the surface of steel containers heavy duty coating is applied for the optimal strength and corrosion resistance.
In the market, there are shipping containers with several external dimensions. The most common ones have lengths with 6.0, 9.0, and 12.0 m and heights with 2.4, 2.55, and 2.7 m. The width is usually 2.4 m. For housing buildings, the most commonly used containers have 6.0 and 12.0 m long and 2.7 m high because it provides a bigger ceiling height.
In 1956, the first container was made, and the demand for their mass production has been increased.
Depending on the use of the container, shipping containers are designed and manufactured to cope with a long and arduous life moving goods around the world, accordingly they are very sturdy and secure.
The typical lifespan of a container in shipping service is 10-12 years, once it comes out of shipping services, it could be sold for other uses i.e. storage or housing purposes, which surpass its lifespan by 10 +years.
Shipping containers
