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12 Jan

Posted at 08:22h in Articles

Once, the vast majority of those iconic, rectangular steel boxes, first introduced by an American haulier and entrepreneur in the '50s, would have served out their seafaring duties, been decommissioned, and been sold for their scrap metal value. Today, there are more than 17 million of these globally. Over 5 million of these are actively engaged in transporting marine freight and, collectively, make around 200 million voyages annually. While many of the others serve as land-based storage, the shipping container modification market now claims many of those that might otherwise have been sold to other shippers or recycled.   In effect, repurposing these storage vessels has proved to be a better business option than recycling them. This fact is borne out by how much this industry's value has grown during recent years. Current predictions indicate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6,6% between 2020 and 2027. That translates as an increase on the 2019 figure of just over $76,5 million to annual shipping container modification sales worth a massive $114 million within the next five years. So, what are the factors driving this continuing increase in consumer demand, and how will they influence the market in 2022 and beyond?   One of the principal drivers of this...

12 Jan

Posted at 08:01h in Articles

The past few decades are likely to go down in history as the age of the scam. Just as the internet has created innumerable benefits for the honest citizen, it has also opened up numerous opportunities for those who wish to enrich themselves by preying on the unwary consumer. The banks warn us regularly about the latest schemes to steal our account details, and consumer programmes advise us about the unscrupulous practices of cowboy builders. However, few realise that the extent to which shipping containers sales have become the target of fraudsters has grown in parallel with the increased public interest in these items.   At first glance, one might wonder how this type of scam could work and whether it is not just another conspiracy theory. However, the principle is surprisingly simple. The unwitting buyers are drawn to a website with the promise of substantial discounts and savings where they will find enticing pictures of the stock and glowing testimonials from dozens of satisfied customers. What could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately, everything! The site owners will collect your money but will not deliver your goods. In practice, scams involving shipping containers appeal to the perpetrators because they require little investment but are highly...

17 Dec

Posted at 15:42h in Articles

Containers have been used for decades to transport goods across the globe, but there has been a significant trend in shipping containers being re-purposed as office space units and as a workplace. Office containers are mostly seen within the Construction Industry, Agricultural Industry, Mining sites, and Development Industry. Shipping containers are a cost-effective and flexible solution when looking for a semi-permanent or permanent business solution. Do shipping containers have toxic chemicals? How does one make it a safe environment for office use? We outline some key considerations. Proper insulation is crucial for when using a container as an office space to ensure protection against condensation and prevention against corrosion and mould. Insulation also helps with regulating high and low temperatures (climate control) while reducing external noise. If you’re purchasing or renting a container for workplace purposes, confirm with your manufacturer that no hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides, are used to treat the flooring. Confirm with your supplier that the paint used, does not use any harmful chemicals such as phosphorous and chromate. Ensure that second-hand containers / containers conversions does not have any extra toxic paint coatings. Ensure that flammable or explosive material are stored safely, as it can pose as a...

14 Dec

Posted at 15:02h in Articles

Many of the millions of shipping containers manufactured worldwide will never find their way onto a cargo vessel. Of the millions that do fulfil their intended role, not all will live out their lifespan at sea. Most will be decommissioned long before their usefulness has passed – in some cases, after just a single voyage. While, at one time, these used vessels would have been sold for scrap and recycled or lain idle, there is now a high demand for container rentals. In practice, new or used units in good condition are equally suitable for shipping purposes, and renting offers a cheaper option, especially for one-off use by an emigrating family. Today, however, an increasing number of leased units are destined for more innovative applications onshore. For example, companies and individuals often require some temporary storage capacity. A construction company might need a secure facility to store vehicles, equipment, and materials overnight. A family might require somewhere to keep furniture while their home is being refurbished. In each case, container rentals offer a cost-effective solution in the form of a durable steel structure that is windproof and watertight. However, providing a temporary storage facility is only one of several uses for these metal boxes. They...

14 Dec

Posted at 14:25h in Articles

The earliest known marine trade route long before the invention of shipping containers was between the countries now known as India and Pakistan. While the two countries were established trading partners, bandits were endangering overland caravans. Consequently, around 5 000 years ago, merchants began to travel the Arabian Sea. The Romans began operating trading fleets in the Mediterranean, and later, the Indian Ocean at around the same time. When trade volumes grew, and steam eventually replaced sail, long before shipping containers were even dreamt of, the cost of marine cargo soared. The problem was labour costs arising from days spent loading and unloading vessels. But without some innovative thinking by an American trucking company owner named Malcolm McLean, the vast volume of marine trade conducted today would not have been possible. McLean noticed the time spent by dock workers loading and unloading boxes, pallets, wooden crates, and barrels. The experienced haulier realised that a pre-loaded, standard-sized box could be transferred from a truck to a ship far more quickly. In April 1956, 58 shipping containers began the voyage from New Jersey to Texas, aboard a converted oil tanker named the SS Ideal X. Each metal box was 20 feet long and 8 feet in height and...

28 Nov

Posted at 10:48h in Articles

Given that South Africa's administrative capital city is far from the nearest port, many might be surprised by the demand for shipping containers by those in and around Pretoria. In practice, there are numerous factories in the industrial areas on the city's outskirts, and many of these produce goods for export. The design of these units suits them perfectly for transportation by rail or road to a suitable port where they will embark on their overseas journey. When first introduced in the mid-50s, these steel boxes created an unprecedented boom in maritime trade. Until then, loading and unloading cargo kept dock workers busy for two or three days. Having the goods already loaded reduced that time to a few hours. Consequently, shipping containers have served to reduce freight costs for exporters in Pretoria and cities across the globe. The robust steel structure helps to protect the contents from damage due to seawater, rain, and rough seas throughout their passage. Furthermore, their uniform shape and size enable vessels to transport vast loads that would have been impossible before the subsequent introduction of giant container ships. That also means cargos spend less time sitting on the dockside awaiting space. Because of their relatively straightforward rectangular design, these rugged corrugated steel shipping containers are...

28 Nov

Posted at 10:39h in Articles

Despite numerous political and cultural differences between the world’s nations, the estimated value of international trade during 2019 was more than 19 trillion US dollars. Significantly, more than 70% of the exported goods would have been transported by sea. Until 1956, sea freight was considerably more expensive than today due to the time-consuming and labour-intensive loading and unloading processes. That year marked the start of a new era with the introduction of shipping containers and the first specialised vessel to transport them. These stackable metal boxes not only simplify loading and unloading, but they also increase the total volume of freight that can be transported when loaded onto specialised container ships. Once landed, their rectangular format is ideal for onward shipment by rail or flatbed trucks. However, those benefits are no longer restricted to importers and exporters. Despite a potential seagoing lifespan of 30 years or more, many of these units are decommissioned after only a few uses. While there is a healthy demand for used shipping containers, not all units purchased will return to the sea. Their regular size and shape, combined with their robust steel structure, have led to many alternative uses. Of course, one of the more obvious applications for these used...

25 Oct

Posted at 18:42h in Articles

History has shown us repeatedly that the only limit to human ingenuity is the imagination of the individual. Sadly, times are currently hard, and many are finding that money is scarce. However, these extenuating circumstances have also led to some innovative repurposing of pre-owned items. In particular, innovators in many countries, including South Africa, have found some valuable alternative applications for used shipping containers.   For example, the Covid-19 pandemic left hospitals and clinics in most countries short of space. For many affected, the solution has been to purchase some of these units and refurbish them to create temporary clinics. In some of the world's poorer countries, this is often the permanent solution for servicing more remote areas. Next to health, education is considered a priority by most governments. Nevertheless, outside of the private sector, classroom shortages are often an ongoing source of concern. As a temporary measure, classrooms and laboratories created from used shipping containers are a viable option for overcrowded or underfunded schools in South Africa and elsewhere.   Despite the pandemic's worst efforts, the world population is still rising. Growing more food is often hampered by the available land. Individuals can become more self-sustaining by purchasing and stocking a greenhouse and devoting a section of their gardens...

25 Oct

Posted at 18:28h in Articles

While the demand for new storage vessels by importers, exporters, and maritime freight companies continues to grow, so does the volume of decommissioned units. Furthermore, the number of individuals and companies interested in buying these used shipping containers has also increased. Although the reasons for their purchases vary, it is frequently the substantially lower price tag that prompts the decision to settle for a used unit. While both new and used prices also vary, one can generally save around 50% or more when opting for second-hand units.   One of the more obvious uses is for long-term storage. The ongoing cost of renting a commercial storage facility can be substantial in such cases. Also, it will often be necessary to travel quite far when you need to stow or retrieve an item. By contrast, buying used shipping containers for this purpose offers the greater convenience of being free to locate your stored goods much closer to where they are needed. At the same time, it means you can dispense with those monthly rental payments.   These rectangular steel boxes are designed to withstand a lot of punishment, from collisions with other units to constant bombardment by rain and seawater. Nevertheless, even under such harsh conditions, these rugged metal storage vessels can have...

27 Sep

Posted at 11:17h in Articles

More South Africans Now Seeking Park Homes for Sale    During the 1970s, one could purchase a well-appointed four-bedroom house on half an acre in one of Johannesburg’s mid-priced suburbs for between thirty to forty thousand rand. Sadly, those halcyon days are long gone. Inflation and the steady deterioration of the local currency have seen the nation’s average property price rise to an incredible R1 million. While many park homes for sale are only marginally cheaper, modular units constructed from shipping containers are markedly less expensive. These repurposed containers offer a young couple the option of a starter home for as little as 10% of the cost of conventional brick-and-mortar-built structures.   Cost-Effectiveness   Despite a sharp increase in rents, rental properties are now in short supply, forcing many young people to continue living with parents who purchased their house during better times. For those temporarily unable to afford one of these park homes for sale, it might sometimes be possible to rent one and progress to ownership later, when finances permit.   An Option That’s Eco-friendlier and More Versatile   Though attracting criticism in the past, these unconventional buildings have since undergone numerous improvements to their design and construction. Furthermore, a home created from shipping containers is an eco-friendlier option. It will...

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