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In 1952, a man by the name of Malcom McLean had a vision that to cut costs and speed up movement of goods – he would need bigger containers, and after realising they could be shipped abroad, he invented the shipping container. Now nearly 70 years later, the concept of shipping containers is the same, but the potential use for them due to modern technology is endless.
The Evolution of Types
Shipping containers have been chopped and changed over the years, with new inventors looking for ways to make them more efficient, safe, and overall profitable. Shipping containers now come in a variety of types, 20-foot and 40-foot sizes with their own strengths. However there are actual names for the different common types of container – as listed below:
– Dry Storage Containers : can transport goods such as clothes, items, construction materials etc.
– Tunnel Containers : designed to have doors on each side to make loading/unloading much faster.
– Flat Rack/Open Top Containers : designed with collapsible sides and roof – ideal for shipping large cargo.
– ISO Refrigerated Containers : commonly used to transport food and pharmaceuticals.
– Insulated Containers : insulated to protect goods from high temperatures.
– Tank Containers : used for chemical and industrial shipments.
– Car Carrier Containers : designed to safely transport cars.
– High Cube Containers : rather similar to 40-foot containers, but slightly higher to accomodate big cargo.
– Half Height Containers : designed to be shorter, to move items like coal, sand etc. So as you can see, they really have changed and evolved over the years, and have become a staple in the world for transporting goods, having the ability to transport pretty much anything all over the globe.
Evolution Of Security
Another thing shipping containers have evolved in, is the security – making them safe for use and safe for conversion purposes (but we’ll get onto that later). Whilst the containers themselves have been made more secure (with steel modular construction etc.), the equipment to keep them secure has also evolved – more specifically, padlocks made especially for them.
– Container Padlocks: gives a tight fit secure lock on doors,
– Lock Boxes: a lock inside a secure steel box, giving the container a double layer of security
– Recessed Shackle Locks-Disc-Shaped Padlocks: a shackle hidden inside lock housing, preventing access to it.
– Crossbar Locks-Bar-Style Locks: a lock that clamps onto the door handles of the container, stopping them from turning – even if someone cuts the padlock.
This isn’t even including the multiple types of security alarms. As technology has evolved, so has security
Eco Friendly
A big factor of industries today is that they all want to be eco friendly – and shipping containers aren’t exempt. Nowadays, shipping containers are the most eco-friendly they’ve ever been, with shipping containers being one of the most green/clean methods of shipment in history. Shipping containers come with the perks of being reusable and very durable, giving them years of use before they even become remotely worn out. This means when someone is done with theirs, they can sell it to another person – as opposed to another one being made, using up the world’s resources. With the containers being moved in bulk, this means that carbon emissions are at their minimum – much more efficient than vehicles such as planes or lorries. If you’re looking for an environmentally safe method of shipping, shipping containers are the way forward!
Evolution Of Conversion
Shipping containers aren’t only used for shipping anymore. You’ve probably read about or even seen with your own eyes, the amount of companies, big and small, using shipping containers as a workplace for their company. This could be a restaurant, an office, barber, coffee shop, the opportunities are literally endless. They’re currently extremely in the trend, even companies as big as Subway have opened up shipping container stores. They really are the future. Shipping containers have even been used as living areas, such as apartments. They are able to do this due to their sheer versatility, being able to install water sources, heating, air conditioning, electricity etc. You can really convert these into homes, usually at a fraction of the price of a building apartment/home etc.
Interested in creating your own shipping container apartment, shop or workplace? Get in touch with us, FABBOX LLC, the best shipping container conversion specialists in Dubai, UAE