Description

The global use of containers for transportation has resulted in major cost reductions, boosting supply chain efficiency. One of the container’s key advantages is its global ‘Standardization’ of its dimensions regardless of location. Cargo is shipped in containers that are either exactly the same or a multiple of the standard unit of size.

Standardization ensures that different types of cargo can be transported via the same transport system. This means that boats, trains or trucks specifically designed for cold products, raw materials or goods with uncommon dimensions are no longer needed by the supply chain. What prevails instead is a wide range of container types adapted to the type of cargo - for example a refrigerated container to transport fresh goods, often called a Reefer.

Furthermore, before the standardization of containers, cargo had to be handled by dockers between different modes of transport. Today, this job is replaced by a crane, which has additionally lowered the cost of insurance against deterioration and theft.