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29 May

Posted at 11:27h in Articles

When first introduced in 1956, the shipping container sparked a revolution in marine freight transport, but is it still fit for purpose in a digital world? The concept of packing goods in a standard-sized metal box significantly reduced the time needed by stevedores to load and unload a cargo ship, slashing the overall cost of shipping and conducting international trade in the process.   However, numerous technological advances have occurred during the nearly seven decades that followed the launch of the first container ship. Today, in the digital world of the 21st century, it has become clear that the industry will need more from these iconic metal boxes in the future. Let’s explore some of the emerging trends in this crucially important field.   Automation and the Shipping Container   Despite the drop in international trade due to the pandemic, the demand for sea freight is increasing faster than ever, forcing the industry to look for alternatives to human handlers. Robots, cobots, and AI have been gaining ground in many fields and are proving their worth daily. An autonomous self-driving forklift offers an easier and faster way to position cargo in a container and remove it while leaving human workers free to focus on external tasks...

17 Apr

Posted at 13:45h in Articles

Events like the Gold Rush and the Second World War led to a vast demand for prefabricated buildings, but are they still relevant today? The short answer is, “more than ever”. Historically, they were introduced as an emergency measure. They offered a means to provide inexpensive accommodation for prospectors in the Klondike and people rendered homeless by the Blitz in Britain that was quick and easy to erect. Despite being considered a temporary solution, many of those wartime British “prefabs” continued to house families for decades, and some are still occupied today. Their durability, low cost, and ease of assembly have led to a steadily growing demand for similar structures today. However, the modern solution is to construct modular buildings from converted shipping containers rather than sticking with the wartime concept of aluminium or steel frameworks and asbestos or wooden walls, creating many more roles for them today.   Shipping Containers  offer a Versatile Starting Point for Prefabricated Buildings While rising house prices and high interest rates have sparked an increased demand for this far cheaper alternative, the possible uses for converted shipping containers are not limited to affordable housing, nor are they restricted to single-storey dwellings. When employing this modular approach to construction,...

17 Apr

Posted at 07:15h in Articles

When Malcolm McLean invented storage containers in 1956, he could never have imagined the many innovative ways in which they have been repurposed today. In his day, loading and unloading their cargo cost exporters $5,86 per tonne. After the US trucking company owner introduced his invention, that figure dropped to $0,16. However, while exporters were delighted by this 90% reduction, it didn’t win him any friends among the dock workers who promptly responded with strike action. Ultimately, progress won, and the result was a massive growth in marine freight and much more cash in the previously disgruntled dockers’ pay packets. While estimates of the total number of these steel storage units vary (some sources suggest as many as 170 million), there are probably 17 million in active service today, but far more are lying idle on docksides or stacked high in container parks. When no longer needed, many used units are sold to other users or for scrap, sometimes only after a few trips. However, there is a growing tendency to repurpose rather than recycle them, and the possibilities appear endless. Storage Containers Offer so Much More Than Storage Space Purchase a second-hand, open-top unit, excavate a deep-enough rectangular hole in your garden...

27 Mar

Posted at 11:41h in Articles

Soaring construction costs mean most South Africans can’t afford new homes. Shipping container buildings are far cheaper but could be subject to constraints. The affordability problem also applies to commercial premises, as do a host of building regulations. Saving for the deposit on a new or pre-owned structure can be a mission and offers no guarantee that a lender will grant you a mortgage. By contrast, the required cash sum could probably cover most, if not all, of the cost of a prefabricated building assembled from used shipping containers. However, while this option can save the average buyer a substantial sum, there are some potential pitfalls. Like most countries, South Africa has introduced regulations to ensure that the design and location of its homes, offices, and factories and the materials employed in their construction conform to acceptable standards. Naturally, some of those requirements will also apply to structures built from shipping containers.   What Regulations Might Apply to Shipping Container Buildings in South Africa? While these prefabricated buildings differ considerably from conventional brick-and-mortar dwellings, you will also require planning permission from the local council. Furthermore, your chosen site must be zoned for residential or commercial use, whichever may be appropriate. In addition, shipping containers converted...

27 Mar

Posted at 11:15h in Articles

Airfreight was once the only way to export perishables like fruits and vegetables. However, reefer containers now enable more affordable seaborne transport. The economies of many countries are wholly dependent on their exports, while others cannot survive without a steady supply of essential items from overseas. Air freight is costly, and there is a relatively low limit to the carrying capacity of an aircraft. By contrast, the larger bulk-carrier cargo ships can accommodate up to 100,000 tonnes or more. When transporting cargoes such as machinery, cement, ores, coal, and grain, it is only necessary to provide sufficient space and protection from the elements. However, some items are inherently unstable, and special precautions are essential to maintain their integrity. The term “reefer” is a shortened form of refrigerated container, an innovation that has allowed such items to be transported safely and cost-effectively across the world’s oceans. Typical Items that Must be Transported in Reefer Containers The goods that require transporting in this fashion fall into two main categories, which are: Edibles Most fresh foods have a relatively short shelf-life. Unless sold directly from their source, they must be kept at a sufficiently low temperature to retain their freshness until they arrive at their point of...

28 Feb

Posted at 13:38h in Articles

Although around 85% are made in China, one can find shipping containers for sale in most countries. For example, new and used units are available near Pretoria. These highly durable steel boxes have been used to transport sea freight since they were first introduced by an American haulier named Malcolm McLean in 1956.   Their rectangular design enables easy handling by dockside cranes while rendering them equally suitable for transportation by road and rail. Estimates vary, but there are probably at least 17 million units worldwide, of which half are not in use. Those that are in service will generally remain so for about ten years. The net result is that there is always a large number of new and used units awaiting purchase.   Why are People Interested in Shipping Containers for Sale?   There are probably three main reasons for their interest:   Emigration: Many South Africans are moving overseas and need a safe and convenient means to ship bulky personal possessions, such as furniture and vehicles. Because they will probably only use it once, it is more economical to opt for a used unit. Once delivered to the current location, a haulage company will pack it and transport it to the dock for shipment...

28 Feb

Posted at 12:07h in Articles

The need for accommodation is growing, but conventional construction costs are increasing. Container buildings offer an affordable and effective alternative. When Malcolm McLean patented the shipping container in 1956, his invention aimed to cut the time spent by dockside workers loading and unloading vessels, thus vastly reducing international shipping costs. He would likely be surprised to learn that, last year, there were thought to be more than 17 million of these rectangular metal boxes worldwide. Of these, most are to be found on the dockside or in container parks.   A unit will generally remain in service for around 12 years. However, many will have been used only a few times or even just once. While used units can be resold and are readily recyclable, they can also be repurposed to create a wide range of prefabricated buildings. There are several valid reasons why container buildings have become so popular:   A Flexible Construction Option: These units can be compared to LEGO blocks, given that their standard shape and sizes make them the perfect starting point for assembling modular structures. They can be joined back to back, end to end, or top to bottom. However, even a single unit can be readily adapted...

31 Jan

Posted at 09:09h in Articles

It is often necessary to transport perishable goods. Many industries employ special storage units called reefer containers for such purposes. When exporting bulk goods such as furniture, machine parts, electronics, and similar items, they are generally loaded into a regular shipping container. These are usually rectangular steel boxes of six or twelve metres in length. They are sturdily built and weatherproof, so the contents can be guaranteed to remain dry. They are equally suitable for transporting these items by road or rail. In each role, the container's sole purpose is to ensure the contents remain secure and are protected from the elements.   Sometimes, however, a load raises additional concerns. South Africa exports a variety of foods, and many are temperature sensitive. To ensure they remain fresh throughout their long sea or overland journey, they need to be packed in refrigerated containers, often referred to as reefers.   Industries that Regularly Employ Reefer Containers   These storage units are offered mainly in the same familiar as dry shipping containers. While they appear similar, their internal insulation is augmented by an efficient refrigeration unit capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -30°C and a ventilation system which circulates the cold air and maintains the desired temperature. As...

31 Jan

Posted at 09:02h in Articles

Renting or buying storage containers can solve many problems for businesses and homeowners, but how does one select which size might be best? In practice, these metal boxes are manufactured in several different sizes and are often specially designed for a particular function. However, for shipping purposes, most are of standard dimensions, and the two most widely used are classified as either six- or twelve-metre units, although they are, in fact, slightly longer as these figures are converted from 20 and 40 feet, respectively.   In terms of height and width, these are approximately the same, at around 2.38 metres. While initially intended for dry shipping marine freight, new and used units can be easily repurposed. For example, their standard dimensions make them ideal for constructing modular buildings. On the other hand, they are equally effective for various onshore storage tasks.   Choosing Between the Six- and Twelve-Metre Storage Containers   Naturally, choosing the most suitable size will depend upon what one intends to store in it. If you have a fixed number of items and it is safe to stack them, the smaller unit has a maximum capacity of just over 33 cubic metres. That's enough room to store the contents of a two-bedroom home...

12 Dec

Posted at 11:06h in Articles

Imagination is a Primary Requirement for Constructing Container Buildings   The worldwide demand for shipping container buildings is snowballing. So, what does it take to make these rather dull-looking metal storage boxes habitable? Perhaps the most fundamental requirement is imagination and an ability to think “out of the box”, no pun intended. When one compares the elaborate structures seen around the globe today with the first efforts to convert these storage vessels into garages, offices, and similar basic facilities, it becomes clear that this growing new industry has since undergone a quantum leap. Its goal is faster, cheaper, and more sustainable construction.   These rectangular shipping containers come in standard sizes and are like an outsized version of the iconic Danish Lego blocks. These units offer the imaginative designer an ideal starting point for creating low-cost modular structures in double-quick time. They can be used singly or joined together end-to-end, back-to-back, or even on top of one another, providing almost unlimited scope when planning a container building. This initiative in the Netherlands is a classic example of innovative thinking.   What are the Practical Considerations When Constructing Shipping Container Buildings?   To some extent, the practical requirements for these structures will depend on their intended use. For example,...

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