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23 Jan

Posted at 07:39h in Articles

Choosing the correct unit when purchasing shipping containers Pretoria is crucial. The valuable guidelines in this article should help you make a more informed choice. Much has changed since Malcolm McLean launched his idea to speed up loading and unloading cargo in 1956. His robust, sealable, rectangular steel box solution was an instant success, and its design and applications have since been extended considerably. Today, more than 96% of these containers are manufactured in China for distribution worldwide. One can find various types of shipping containers for sale in most major cities, even landlocked ones – for example, South Africa’s foremost supplier of shipping containers Pretoria. However, deciding which might be best for a given task could require some assistance.   Things to Consider When Purchasing Shipping Containers Pretoria When shopping for shipping containers Pretoria, you will need to consider the following: Container Size: In most cases, one should pack items tightly and on pallets where appropriate so they don’t move about and become damaged during handling or at sea. The most commonly used units are 6 or 12 metres long. They hold approximately 33 and 67 cubic metres, respectively. If you can’t fill your unit, your shipper can arrange for someone to use...

30 Nov

Posted at 16:28h in Articles

While initially designed to meet emergencies like Britain’s post-war housing shortage, prefabricated buildings are equally vital now and for our future. We can no longer dismiss the impending threat of global warming or the role played by the construction industry in boosting the carbon footprint responsible. In addition, the rising cost of construction, higher land prices, and escalating interest rates have made new homes and office premises increasingly unaffordable. However, there is an upside. A surplus of new and used shipping containers has provided builders with a viable alternative to the traditional structures created using concrete or bricks and cement.   The Many Advantages of Prefabricated Buildings In practice, living or working spaces are merely box-like structures. They have four walls, a floor, and a ceiling and are usually constructed on-site by a team of workers with appropriate skills, such as bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians. However, a shipping container is also a large rectangular box composed of the same six components. As the starting point for a construction project, these units offer several advantages: Economical: Shipping container buildings are far cheaper than comparable conventional structures, whether made from new or used units. Portable: Shipping containers were designed to be easily transportable by road,...

30 Nov

Posted at 16:26h in Articles

The need for more sustainable construction methods is becoming increasingly urgent. Fortunately, shipping container buildings can offer a viable solution. These sturdy steel boxes were the brainchild of an American trucker who spotted the need for a faster way to load and unload marine cargo. His idea revolutionised the shipping industry. More than 65 years later, Malcolm McLean’s invention is disrupting another vital industry.   The rectangular design of a shipping container is similar to that of a simple hut, consisting of four walls, a ceiling, and a floor. Rather than leaving them unused for years, innovative engineers are now modifying new or used shipping containers to create container homes, office containers, and other prefabricated buildings.   Containers come in standard sizes, predominately 6 or 12 metres long, with uniform heights and widths, making them the perfect starting point for modular constructions. They can be joined in multiple configurations, like LEGO blocks, to provide endless possibilities.   In addition to being a more sustainable option than a concrete structure, modular, prefabricated buildings are cheaper, often transportable, and far quicker to erect.   Some Innovative Shipping Container Buildings It seems the only limit to the versatility of the shipping container is one’s imagination. The following are just three of many...

30 Nov

Posted at 16:25h in Articles

New and used shipping containers Pretoria are in high demand, either by South Africans relocating or those seeking a more affordable accommodation option. However you decide to use them, these sturdy steel shipping containers for sale will be the solution. Containers not only offer a safe and convenient means for exporters to ship their products overseas but are also an option for individuals who need to transport or store furniture or equipment. Alternatively, they can be repurposed to create prefabricated buildings for a seemingly endless range of uses. However, whether buying or renting, anyone wishing to transport or store goods must understand the various types of containers for sale and their uses to ensure their requirements are adequately met.   How to Choose Shipping Containers Pretoria Here is some information that will help you choose the right shipping containers Pretoria:  For Transport or Storage: A standard container will suffice for manufactured items like machine parts, furniture, and white goods; the only concern will be capacity. The 6-metre model has an internal volume of around 33 cubic metres, while the 12-metre standard unit holds slightly less than the high cube variant, approximately 68 m3 and 76 m3,Standard shipping containers for rent or sale are unsuitable...

29 Nov

Posted at 16:11h in Articles

Once, the only safe way to transport goods to distant countries was by air – a costly option. Reefer containers have vastly reduced costs and boosted exports. Many countries depend on the export of locally grown produce, such as grapes, oranges, dates, and other varieties of fruit to fuel their economies. However, transporting such items by sea can pose challenges. Several factors could lead to premature ripening or even decay if not carefully controlled throughout each step of the lengthy journey, both on land and at sea. Standard shipping containers are unsuitable for transporting perishable goods because they don’t have the necessary control mechanisms. One of the main factors that must be controlled is temperature, which, in most cases, needs to be maintained below ambient levels for the duration of the journey. The term “reefer” is derived from “refrigerate”, and most reefer containers for sale are closed units fitted with a refrigeration unit, adjustable thermostat, and electrical power source. These additions transform a basic shipping container into an ideal vessel for transporting temperature-sensitive goods.   Other Beneficial Properties of Reefer Containers Although the importance of keeping certain goods cool is well established, temperature is not always the only factor that requires monitoring and control. For...

30 Oct

Posted at 19:48h in Articles

Although unused units command a higher price, second-hand shipping containers for sale are cheaper and are priced according to their condition or grade. When US trucker Malcolm McLean came up with the revolutionary idea of preloading marine cargo into transportable steel boxes in the ‘50s, he probably gave little thought to the many other uses that have since been found for his time- and cost-saving invention. Although millions of these containers are at sea at any given time, most are on shore awaiting loading, unloading, or some alternative use.   Many of these units are used only a few times before they are no longer needed, resulting in a growing market for second-hand containers. Unlike many other used items whose price tags tend to vary widely, the prices of pre-owned containers are often determined more formally. Each used unit is assigned a grade based on its physical condition, subject to established standards. In most cases, although not all dealers choose to comply, the price of a used container will be directly related to its designated grade.     Understanding the Grades of Used Containers for Sale   While the precise grading criteria may differ slightly between suppliers, the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) recommends the following...

30 Oct

Posted at 19:29h in Articles

The future of construction may have its roots in the past. Once an emergency measure, prefabricated buildings may be our best hope for a sustainable industry. The concept of assembling a building from pre-made parts is far from new. Over 4 000 years ago, the builders of Mesopotamia saw this as a valuable time-saving option. Later, the Romans adopted the same technique to construct their forts, and some are still standing and remain functional.   Among the more recent examples of prefabricated constructions were the wooden sheds built in England and shipped to California to house prospectors and miners during the gold rush in the 1840s. In 1851, the iconic Crystal Palace was built for Britain’s Great Exhibition and later dismantled and relocated. Thirty-six years later, the Eiffel Tower was erected using accurately precast metal beams. However, perhaps the first large-scale construction of prefabricated buildings or prefabs, as they became known, was to provide temporary accommodation for Britains left homeless following World War II. In practice, many are still occupied today, indicating a future for prefabrication in the construction industry.   Prefabricated Buildings Reduce Dependence on Concrete   Today, the construction industry’s biggest problem is its widespread reliance on concrete and its contribution to the...

30 Sep

Posted at 10:03h in Articles

While most items can be safely transported in standard shipping containers, some goods require special conditions. Reefer containers are often the solution. The precise nature and properties of the cargo to be transported will determine the environmental adjustments necessary to maintain its integrity.   The adjective "reefer" is generally used to describe a container with an integrated refrigeration unit. Before these specialised shipping containers became available, fresh meat, vegetables, flowers, and other perishable items would have had to be transported by air, adding substantially to their cost. Today, fresh flowers from Amsterdam or beef from Argentina are reasonably priced and available from retailers almost anywhere in the world.   Different Types of Reefer Containers   Temperature is only one of several parameters that might affect the quality of perishable goods aboard a container ship. There are three main types of reefer containers, and the first step is to choose the best able to maintain the environmental conditions necessary to ensure your particular cargo arrives at its final destination in perfect condition. Here are some more details about these three options and their purposes:   Closed Reefer Containers: This is the most common type, consisting of one piece with an integral front wall. Cooling (or heating) is provided...

30 Sep

Posted at 10:02h in Articles

Following their launch in the US in the mid-50s, one can now find shipping containers for sale worldwide. However, prospective buyers might need some advice. The concept was the brainchild of an American trucker who thought it would save time and money if he could load his truck onto a ship, complete with its cargo, rather than offloading and loading items individually.   His solution was to design a rectangular steel box that could be transported on a flatbed truck or railcar to and from a port and transferred with a crane in a single operation. While estimates vary widely, there could be as many as 17 million shipping containers in circulation today. Surprisingly, not all of them are being used to transport cargo by sea.   People purchase containers for various purposes. For example, they are the most effective way to transport furniture overseas when emigrating or to provide temporary storage for it when undertaking a major home renovation. The past few decades have seen a growing tendency to convert them into temporary or mobile buildings like site offices, classrooms, dormitories, and even multi-storey apartment blocks.   Things to Consider Before Buying Shipping Containers for Sale   Their intended purpose is just one of the factors to...

31 Aug

Posted at 14:26h in Articles

In 1956, a change in how we transport marine cargo transformed global trade forever. The catalyst for that change was the invention of shipping containers. In 1937, a US truck driver was struck by the lengthy process of loading and unloading cargo vessels. He thought it might be more efficient if his loaded trailer could be lifted intact onto a ship without disturbing its contents.   The idea persisted, and in 1956, he put it into practice with a rectangular metal box that could be transported by truck or train to and from a port and lifted directly on or off a modified freighter. He purchased and converted a World War II tanker and transported 58 of the metal boxes we now know as shipping containers from Newark to Houston. Malcolm McLean’s dogged determination not only slashed the cost of marine freight but also revolutionised the associated logistics and supply chain management.   How Shipping Containers Changed the Logistics of Maritime Trade   Before containerisation, transporting goods by sea was slow, labour-intensive, and prohibitively expensive for most would-be exporters. By extension, imported goods were equally costly. However, the expense wasn’t due to the sea voyage but the cost of loading and unloading the cargo.   Upon arrival at...

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