The invention of the standard multimodal shipping container transformed the freight industry, by allowing goods to be easily transferred from one mode of transport to the other, without the need for unloading and reloading. Today, there are countless millions of shipping containers in circulation, but where did it all begin?
Before shipping containers were standardised, freight came in all shapes and sizes. Barrels, wooden crates, pallets, and boxes meant the loading up of cargo was a long and laborious process. The odd-sized packing containers meant that space could not always be used effectively, and the quality of the materials was variable.
In 1952, an American businessman named Malcolm McLean recognised the potential for a cheaper a more efficient way of transporting goods. He developed a prototype steel container of uniform size which was easy to load and secure. The corners were reinforced so they could be safely stacked, maximising the use of space.
The containers quickly proved popular around the world, as they allowed more goods to be moved at a time, and were easy to transfer between sea, rail, and road. Between 1968 and 1970, The International Maritime Organisation issued standards for shipping containers. ISO certified containers are still recognised as the global standard today.
ISO containers are certified for quality of design and manufacturing, and meet certain specifications in terms of strength, size, and materials. They are strong, durable, and stackable, and are all suitable for multimodal transportation. Most general-purpose dry-goods containers are made from corrugated sheet metal with a plywood floor.
There are different sizes available, and some versions have different loading access. The most common ISO lengths of shipping containers are 8ft, 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft, although they can be up to 56ft long. Standard containers of variable lengths are 8ft wide by 8ft 6” high.
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