Editing Intermodal container (section)

{{Short description|Standardized reusable metal crate for transporting goods}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{About|ISO standardized and derivative intermodal shipping containers|the U.S. military containers used in the Korea and Vietnam Wars|Conex box|the packaging in general|Shipping container}}
{{Cleanup reorganize|date=February 2023}}
[[File:Container 01 KMJ.jpg|thumb|A {{convert|40|ft|m|1|adj=mid|-long}} shipping container. Each of its eight corners has an essential [[twistlock|corner casting]] for hoisting, stacking, and securing]]
[[File:Container ship Hanjin Taipei.jpg|thumb|Containers stacked on a large ship.]]
An '''intermodal container''', often called a '''[[shipping container]]''', or a '''freight container''', (or simply "'''container'''") is a large metal crate designed and built for [[intermodal freight transport]], meaning these containers can be used across different [[Mode of transport|modes of transport]] – such as from [[container ship|ships]] to [[Rail transport|trains]] to [[Semi-trailer truck|trucks]] – without unloading and reloading their cargo.<ref name="PTS">{{Cite journal | first = Krzysztof | last = Lewandowski | title = Growth in the Size of Unit Loads and Shipping Containers from Antique to WWI. | journal = Packaging Technology and Science | volume = 29 |  issue = 8–9 | year =  2016 | pages =  451–478 | issn = 1099-1522| doi = 10.1002/pts.2231 | s2cid = 113982441 }}</ref> Intermodal containers are primarily used to store and transport materials and products efficiently and securely in the global [[containerization|containerized]] intermodal freight transport system, but smaller numbers are in regional use as well. It is like a [[boxcar]] that does not have wheels. Based on size alone, up to 95% of intermodal containers comply with ISO standards,<ref name="Production2007" /> and can officially be called '''ISO containers'''. These containers are known by many names: '''cargo container''', '''sea container''', '''ocean container''', '''container van''' or '''sea van''', '''sea can''' or '''C can''', or '''MILVAN''',<ref>{{cite web |title=M: MILVAN : military van (container) |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/dictionary/military-terms-alphabet-list.php?letter_group=M |website=Military Dictionary |publisher=MilitaryFactory.com |access-date=29 November 2021 |quote=Military-owned, demountable container, conforming to US and international standards, operated in a centrally controlled fleet for movement of military cargo. Also called MILVAN.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NSN: 8145-01-C00-8991 (CONTAINER SHIPPING AND STORAGE: 20 FT MILVAN) |url=https://www.armyproperty.com/nsn/8145-01-C00-8991 |website=ArmyProperty.com |access-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129010520/https://www.armyproperty.com/nsn/8145-01-C00-8991 |archive-date=29 November 2021}}</ref> or '''SEAVAN'''.{{cn|date=January 2024}} The term '''CONEX (Box)''' is a technically incorrect carry-over usage of the name of an important predecessor of the ISO containers: the much smaller steel [[Conex box|CONEX boxes]] used by the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]].

Intermodal containers exist in many types and standardized sizes, but 90 percent of the global container fleet are "dry freight" or "general purpose" containers:<ref name=Production2007/><ref name=ShipCouncilFleet/> [[durable good|durable]] closed rectangular boxes, made of rust-retardant [[weathering steel]]; almost all {{convert|8|ft|m|1}} wide, and of either {{convert|20|or|40|ft|m|1}} standard length, as defined by [[International Organization for Standardization]] (ISO) [[ISO 668|standard 668:2020]].<ref name=Production2007/><ref name=CSIUcontainerfleet/> The worldwide standard heights are {{convert|8|ft|6|in|m|1}} and {{convert|9|ft|6|in|m|1}} – the latter are known as '''High Cube''' or '''Hi-Cube''' ('''HC''' or '''HQ''') containers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shipsbusiness.com/container-sizes.html|title=Container sizes| publisher=Shipsbusiness.com|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> Depending on the source, these containers may be termed TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), reflecting the 20- or 40-foot dimensions.

Invented in the early 20th century, 40-foot intermodal containers proliferated during the 1960s and 1970s under the [[containerization]] innovations of the American shipping company [[SeaLand]]. Like [[cardboard box]]es and [[pallet]]s, these containers are a means to bundle cargo and goods into larger, [[Unit load|unitized loads]] that can be easily handled, moved, and stacked, and that will pack tightly in a ship or yard. Intermodal containers share a number of construction features to withstand the stresses of intermodal shipping, to facilitate their handling, and to allow stacking. Each has a unique [[ISO 6346]] reporting mark.

In 2012, there were about 20.5&nbsp;million intermodal containers in the world of varying types to suit different cargoes.<ref name=CSIUcontainerfleet>{{Cite web |date=January 2014 |title=World Container Fleet Overview |url=https://www.csiu.co/resources-and-links/world-container-fleet |website=csiu.co |publisher=CSI Container Services International |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308125348/http://www.csiu.co/resources-and-links/world-container-fleet |archive-date=8 March 2022}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Up from an estimated 18.6&nbsp;million in 2011<ref name=WorldCouncilSupply>{{Cite report |date=May 2011 |title=Container Supply Review |url=http://www.worldshipping.org/public-statements/2011_container_supply_review_final.pdf |publisher=[[World Shipping Council]] |page=1 |access-date=18 July 2015 }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |group="nb"}} Containers have largely supplanted the traditional [[break bulk cargo]]; in 2010, containers accounted for 60% of the world's seaborne trade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statista.com/topics/1367/container-shipping/ |title=Container Shipping – Statistics & Facts |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Statista.com |publisher=[[Statista|Statista Inc.]] |access-date=27 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205224323/http://www.statista.com/topics/1367/container-shipping/ |archive-date=2014-12-05}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141008144227/http://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/global-trade Global Trade] – [[World Shipping Council]]</ref> The predominant alternative methods of transport carry [[bulk cargo]], whether gaseous, liquid, or solid—e.g., by [[bulk carrier]] or [[tanker (ship)|tank ship]], [[tank car]], or [[tank truck|truck]]. For [[air freight]], the lighter weight [[IATA]]-defined [[unit load device]]s are used.