Cargo and container shipping basics!!!

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONTAINER SHIPPING

History

Container shipping was started in the year 1956. Prior to this, the packing of goods were limited to transportation vehicles. But from the year 1961, international courier companies were given standard container sizes for their worldwide parcel services.

Aesthetic purpose:

The main idea behind container shipping is economy. When you order something online, international courier companies have to have an economical way to deliver the goods to you. Containers provide aesthetics to the concept of international shipping especially when it’s worldwide parcel services.

Standardization of container sizes:
The standard sized containers that international courier companies can have is 20 foot, 40 foot, 45 foot an 53 foot ones. TEU or Twenty foot Equivalent Unit is the standard unit of measure.
The quality of containers has to be maintained for international shipping and worldwide parcel services. The different kinds of containers are open side, open end, half height, open top, refrigerated, modular, flat rack and dry cargo.
Why are they standardized?
The main reason for standardization of containers that all international courier companies follow is for uniformity and efficiency in unloading. Since there is a fixed size, there is no need to stop at each step of the international shipping process.
How to pick containers?
International courier companies must look beyond the price when picking the type of containers. Some goods require temperature control. Some require extra care. Here are some examples of suitable types of containers and their respective products;
• Odd-sized products need flat rack or open top containers
• Vehicles and industrial equipment require flat rack
• Vegetables require open top containers
• Chemicals, oil and wine require tanksr
Modes of shipment:
International courier companies adopt various modes of transportation for their worldwide parcel services. The containers picked should be appropriately matched to the mode of transport that is picked. Here are some of the different modes of shipment used by international shipping businesses:
• Cargo ships
• Air freight
• Rail freight
• Truck freight: International courier companies depend on this mode heavily when the parcel delivery service works within borders.
Shipping process and how to decide:
When international courier companies transports goods, it is sealed at the manufacturer level and remains sealed until it reaches the fulfilment warehouse or the final user.
Truck freights are appointed by international logistics firms to pack the goods in standardized containers and send them to the fulfilment warehouse. A freight forwarder is given the duty there on.
Two deciding factors for international courier companies in matters of containers; price and reputation of the containers brand.