Shipping Containers For Sale
Shipping containers can be used to
transport large items or large amounts of a product over a long
distance. Often times they are used for carrying goods from one country
to another. A shipping container must have the strength to be able to
withstand handling, shipment as well as storage. A shipping container
can range anywhere from corrugated boxes to intermodal shipping
containers, and everything in-between. In the shipping trade, the term
“shipping container” and “container” are often used synonymously. A
standard intermodal freight container is designed to be moved from one
form of transportation to another without the need of unloading and
reloading the container. For companies that do a lot of shipping, it
makes sense to look for shipping
containers for sale. This way, their cost is spread out over the
long haul.
Renting VS Buying Shipping Containers
For individuals and companies who only do
occasional long distance large shipments, it may be best to rent
shipping containers. If you decide to rent, keep in mind a few potential
issues. First, when you rent, you generally have to sign a contract for
a specific time frame. When not using your storage container, where will
you store it? Your typical 20 foot or 40 foot container won’t easily fit
in most people’s back yard. Always think through the logistics before
signing that rental agreement. If renting for business purposes, the
shipping container might be easily stored in a warehouse with other
merchandise that is to be shipped. If that is the case, renting may work
for you.
Another potential problem with renting is
local codes and compliances that may not allow you to leave the storage
container in certain areas.
You should be able to find several
companies in each metro area who rents steel shipping containers. These
containers are generally rented on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
The longer term you rent the unit, generally the better deal you get.
Ask if their rates include delivery and pick up. There may also be extra
insurance charges. Find out all the details prior to signing a rental
agreement. Keep in mind, the cheapest is not always the best way to go.
Intermodal Shipping Containers For Sale
Intermodal containers are also known by
other names. These names include freight container, ISO container, and
shipping container. Other names may be hi-cube container, box, a conex
box, or even a sea can. These containers are a standardized reusable
steel box that can be used for the safe movement of materials within a
global intermodal freight transport system. “Intermodal” implies there
are various modes of transport or travel involved. These modes of travel
include truck, train, airplane, and ship. With this type of container,
it can easily be moved from one mode of transportation to another
without disrupting the merchandise being shipped. You can easily find
intermodal shipping containers for sale.
Shipping Container Dimensions
Shipping container sizes range in
different lengths and heights. Each container has a unique ISO 6346
reporting mark, which is an international standard ID for intermodal
containers. Each container has a unique serial number that identifies
the owner, country code, size, type, and equipment category. The ISO
6346 standard is managed by the International Container Bureau (BIC).
Dimensions of shipping containers vary in
length up to 56 feet with the standard height at 8 foot up to 9 feet 6
inches. A container’s capacity is often expressed in twenty-foot
equivalent units (TEU) which is a capacity equal to one standard 20 by 8
foot container. When it comes to air freight, the alternative lighter
IARA-defined Unit Load Device is used. It is estimated that there are
about 17 million intermodal containers in the world. These are of
various sizes and types suited for various types of cargo.
Shipping Container Cost
You may be asking, “How much do shipping
containers cost?” There is a significant difference in the
cost of a shipping
container that is new versus the cost of used
shipping containers. Fortunately, there are good new and used cargo
containers available pretty much everywhere.
New shipping containers can be purchased
typically between $2,300 and $5,000 depending on the size. Used
containers begin at about $500 and can be as high as $2,900 depending on
size and condition. Some containers have been reconditioned. If you
really do your homework, you may be able to find some better deals. Also
make sure you check out the containers first. You want to make sure they
are in good condition including a straight frame.
In addition to the actual price of the
container, you need to figure in other costs. The added costs include
handling and transportation charges. If any modifications need to be
made such as cutting or insulating, this could increase your cost per
shipping container.
Used Shipping Containers For Sale
There are actually three categories of
used shipping containers for sale. There are standard “as is” shipping
containers that have already been used extensively, but are made to last
a long time. In terms of cosmetics, you will find a variation of these
used containers. Containers that have been inspected and have a
guarantee are considered an “A” grade unit. They are water and rodent
tight containers. There are also some used containers that are delivered
straight from a surplus container depot. These often times don’t come
with any kind of guarantee.
Used shipping containers come in the
following sizes: 20’ 40’ 45’ 53’ Standard Dry Containers, 40’ & 45’ High
Cube Dry Containers, and 20’ 40’ 45’ Refrigerated or Insulated
Containers. These containers must meet ISO standards.
Secondly, there are refurbished shipping
containers. These storage units are definitely a step above the “as is”
containers. They may contain a few small dents and dings, but they look
much better. A refurbished shipping container is given additional
inspections. All rust spots are removed and all metal parts are
repainted. You can also request that the inside of the container be
repainted. It is a good idea to paint the container a neutral color to
keep it looking nice for many years.
The third category of shipping containers
is Modified Shipping Containers. If you are requesting this kind of container, make sure the
company you purchase it from is experienced in doing these
modifications. Often times these companies can modify the container to
meet whatever specific needs you may have.
If you are on a limited budget, you may
be best to find used shipping containers for sale. This is especially
true considering that shipping containers are extremely durable and
often in "like new" condition. For a used container you can expect to
pay anywhere from 20%-60% off a new units cost.
Container Shipping Companies
Today, there are 5,992 ships active on
liner trades a total
twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of 16,014,371. Top Shipping Companies are
listed below with their share of the world’s market as of February 2012.
This information was gathered directly from the
Alphaliner Top 100
website.
You can check out the latest information at any time by going to
their site.
Rank
Operator
TEU
Share
#1
APM-Maersk
2,576,759
16.1%
#2
Mediterranean Shg Co
2,182,623
13.6%
#3
CMA CGM Group
1,331,545
8.3%
#4
Hapag-Lloyd
639,492
4.0%
#5
COSCO Container L.
634,081
4.0%
#6
APL
616,322
3.8%
#7
Evergreen Line
603,358
3.8%
#8
CSCL
525,321
3.3%
#9
Hanjin Shipping
491,297
3.1%
#10
MOL
441,426
2.8%
We would like to feature just one of
these fine shipping companies. Rather than picking the top shipping
company, we will feature the number 3 company in the world. This
information is to provide a general idea of what kind of companies you
are looking at.
CMA CGM Group is the company we chose to
feature in this article. It was founded by Jacques R. Saade. It has
become a global carrier, operating on all the world's oceans. CMA CGM's
mission is to become one of the worldwide leading container shipping
companies, standing out through top quality services, door-to-door
solutions and increasingly comprehensive global coverage. CMA CGM Group
is a forward-looking company, constantly expanding its portfolio of
services. Considered as the
world's third largest container shipping company and ranked as first in
France, CMA CGM offers a complete range of activities such as shipping,
handling facilities in port, logistics on land and many others. What the
company has set as its main objective is to provide its customers an
innovative and proactive service which observes the principles of both
quality and high performance while protecting the environment. The facts
and figures reinforce the status of this well-positioned company within
the range of container shipping companies.
For a complete list of the Top 100
Container Shipping Companies, including the market share each has, go to
the Alphaliner website.
Shipping Containers For Storage
Not all shipping containers end up being
used to ship goods around the world. Some of them have already made many
such trips. There has been a growing interest in utilizing these
containers for a variety of other uses.
Smart business owners are making the most
of some of these steel shipping containers that are at the end of their
useful lives. A shipping container makes an excellent instant “storage
space.”
Shipping Container Homes And Architecture
Beginning in 2005, shipping containers
started to appear in a different light throughout areas of the U.S.,
Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Australia and much of Europe. These
ordinary shipping containers are being turned into actual homes to live
in.
Shipping container architecture reaches
far beyond homes. These once very plain spaces are being transformed
into offices, student housing, hotels, emergency shelters and safe
rooms. It is truly a global trend.
Interest grew as a realization that
thousands of these shipping containers were beginning to pile up in the
ports of every major city in the world. In 2005, in the U.S. alone,
there were about 1 million unused shipping containers, just sitting
around. As a result of this new architecture, that number dropped to
about half that number in 2007 and had continued to decrease from that
time on.
There is a constant need to find
shipping containers for sale. For many, their need is strictly for
shipping purposes. The business man and individual alike have a nice
variety of shipping containers to choose from. Where budget isn’t a
major factor, there are new shipping containers for sale. With budget
restraints, there are used and reconditioned shipping containers. For
those with specific and special needs, there are modified shipping
containers. When the container has seemingly seen it end as a useful
shipping container, there awaits yet another use for this wonderful
unit. What Malcom McLean started back in 1956 with his new invention,
the steel shipping container, has changed, not only the shipping
industry, but now even the housing market and architecture itself.