Technically known as intermodal shipping containers, these bulky, rectangular, mega-sized steel boxes were created with a single purpose in mind: to safely transport goods all over the world. Shipping containers are one of those rare human-made objects that serve multiple purposes for an indefinite period.
The shipping container manufacturers in Dubai help these intermodal containers to take several avatars after they are retired from overseas shipping purposes. But let’s not forget that each container is originally fabricated for shipping cargo, no matter what purpose they serve later.
Containers are designed to hold an average of 60,000 pounds of cargo. Combine this with the container’s weight, and it sums up to a whopping weight. When stacked one on top of the other in the container yard or on a ship’s deck, the weight can be colossal.
Thus, a lot of thought, planning and design has gone into defining the construction of a shipping container. The majority of the container components are made of Corten steel, which comprises the roof, walls and floor of the steel box. There are tinier components that give additional structure, and strength to create a secure loading structure that can withstand years of wear and tear.
What shipping container manufacturers say about each container part
There’s no one better than a shipping container manufacturer to tell us about the components that make an intermodal container. Since they design, procure raw materials and fabricate these super-sized boxes in their facilities, they know that every single part of a shipping container is of immense importance.
The container roof
During manufacture, it is the container roof that garners the most attention, for it is the part that is most exposed to the harsh elements of the seas. Not to forget that the containers are stacked one on top of the other for easy transportation.
Keeping in mind that the roof has to withstand such heavy-duty exposure, the roof is designed to protect its structure and to provide space for another container to sit on top of it. It has an extremely rigid corrugated surface fabricated with Corten steel sheets for extra durability, strength, and rigidity. Of late, manufacturers weld the roof sheets to the container’s frame for enhanced stability.
The roof is vulnerable to pitting and bubble rust that occurs when the box is dropped during stacking or transportation.
READ THIS: How To Enhance The Safety Of Shipping Container Configurations?
The side walls
The side walls are very similar to the roof in terms of make and appearance. Fashioned from corrugated Corten steel sheets, the side walls are welded onto the container’s frame. They are built to withstand the brunt of the damage from other containers when the ship is on rough seas. The walls are surrounded by a thick steel beam that adds extra support. Walls on 40ft containers are sometimes split into wide doors to allow the easy storage of bulky cargo that cannot fit into the main door.
Container walls are strong, yet highly prone to rusting, dents and breakage.
The container floor
A 20ft container can weigh up to 2500 kilos. But it has to withhold cargo that is five or six times its weight. This is where the container floor comes into prominence because it holds everything that is placed on it.
It is structured to hold hefty payloads and be lifted into the air by a crane. The floor looks ordinary by outward appearance, but it is what’s inside that matters. A cross-section of the container floor will reveal layers of steel and marine-grade plywood that makes the floor unique.
Designed to be extremely strong and watertight, the floor base is first fabricated with steel sheets. Over this hard base, high-grade marine plywood sheets are stacked to provide a stable floor for the items to sit on. All modern shipping container floors have slots beneath the floor to allow room for the tynes of forklifts.
Floors can become vulnerable to sagging and cracking if they are not properly constructed with the right length of steel and plywood.
The container doors
All standard shipping containers come with twin doors fashioned out of Corten steel. These doors can swing open outwards to 270 degrees, facilitating easy loading and unloading of cargo. All doors have rubber gaskets to keep them watertight and airtight. The door also has to keep out rodents and other pests from sneaking their way inside the container.
The stability of a door also depends on its lock rods. Some containers are fitted with lockboxes, a metal box that houses the padlock inside. This provides double safety to the cargo inside the container. All containers must have a Container Safety Convention plate on the left-hand door.
Other components
- Corner castings
All containers have a total of eight corner castings that serve as hard-mounting stacking points. These corner castings have holes to allow steel rods or heavy-duty ropes that are used to secure the container to the floor of the ship or lorry.
- Top and bottom rails
The rails constitute the entire frame of the container. Whether they are box section profiles or 10mm flat bar profiles, these rails should be sturdy and devoid of any cracks at the point where they meet the corner castings.
- Air vents
To prevent mould formation and sweating due to increased moisture, all containers have air vents to provide ample airflow within the container.
Given above are the parts of a standard, an intermodal shipping container. Containers are also custom-made as per the requirements of the shipping companies concerning the kind of cargo they specialise in transporting.
Super Tech Industries: The top shipping container manufacturer in Duba
Super Tech Industries is a prominent shipping container manufacturer in Dubai. We fabricate the best shipping containers in a wide range of sizes and configurations. We also undertake container modifications all across the UAE. For highly affordable, and super-sturdy 20ft and 40 ft containers, STI is the top choice. Take a look at our website for more details about our workmanship
