Shipping containers make possible to store and transport goods by land and sea. The first journey with a sea container was made in 1956.  

These containers are specially manufactured from steel or aluminium, many of them protected with plywood or fibreglass to prevent dampness during the journey.  

There is a wide variety of sea containers: standard 20′, standard 40′, double door, high cube (HC), open side (with doors on the right side), open top (open at the top and covered with a tarpaulin), flat rack (without side walls and roof), reefer container (equipped with a refrigeration machine), minisets (6′, 7′, 8′, 8′, 9′ and 10′ containers) and pallet wide containers (for the transport of Euro pallets).  All shipping containers have the same essential parts, i.e. the right side, the left side, the front, the bottom, the floor and the roof.  

Another feature that all sea containers have in common is that they are fitted with ISO corner fittings at each corner, which enable them to be secured by special cranes.

Below is a breakdown of the different parts of a container: 

Roof

It is made of Corten steel sheets, a type of steel that can be skidded, which is characterised by its good resistance to corrosion as it includes copper and chrome.  

Sides

Made of Corten steel sheets for greater strength and rigidity. The strength and rigidity of the sides of the container, in addition to the type of material, is mainly due to the ribbed shape given to the container. This ribbed shape makes the sheet metal a structural element in its own right. One of its greatest weaknesses is that it can be subjected to knocks which can cause damage.

Floor

Made from bamboo, steel, wood or marine plywood, which are boards produced by joining several veneers with glues and synthetic resins subjected to high pressures and temperatures. This makes it possible to achieve a shock-resistant board with excellent resistance to humidity.

Top and bottom rails 

The rails make up the frame of the container. The bottom end rails have “cut-outs” that protect the rail from being punctured from the swivel locking points when loaded.  

Doors and CSC plate 

Doors must open 180° and all containers must have the CSC (International Convention for Safe Containers) plate on the left door. This plate includes data concerning the structural and safety conditions of the container.  

At Bullbox we have more than 20 years in the market, which has positioned us as European leaders in the commercialisation of maritime containers. If you want to carry out a project in a sea container, please contact us.