Shipping Containers, Conex Boxes & More – Understanding the Different Terms and Their Uses

Standard Shipping Container

The universal standard shipping container is used for transporting goods across ship, rail, and road modes of transport. It is built subject to stringent ISO (International Organization for Standardization) requirements in order for it to be used with intermodal transport internationally. Standard 20ft shipping containers for sale are mostly bought, with 40ft variation being available too. 

Key Features of standard shipping containers:

• Made out of high strength corten steel, which means it will last for a long time and will resist all-weather conditions.
• Four corner castings and locking mechanisms to stack securely and move safely.
• The ability to carry heavy loads and heavy cargo is one such property attributed to good flooring support.

Common Uses of standard shipping containers:

• International trade and freight transportation.
• Temporary or long-term storage solutions for businesses and individuals.
• Adapted for use as offices, retail spaces, and modular housing projects.

Conex Box

The term “Conex box” refers to a military abbreviation referring to “Container Express.” The supply transportation container was first used by the military to securely store supplies. With time, it progressed to be adopted for commercial and personal storage because of their resilient nature and open to security threats.

Key Features of conex boxes:

• Made from corrosion-resistant steel, designed to withstand extreme environments.
• Initially created for military logistics, later adapted for civilian applications.
• Conex box for sale often come with reinforced doors and locking mechanisms for enhanced security.

Common Uses of Conex Box Include:

• Construction site storage for tools and materials.
• Military storage for weapons and ammunition, and both personal and commercial storage, which are considered to provide secure and weather-proof storage.

Cargo Containers

Cargo containers for sale are any containers utilized for transporting freight. This is generally a term applied to both standard and specially designed containers, which fit the guidelines of international shipping. 

Key Features of cargo containers are:

• Strong in design with maximum payload capability.
• Available in assorted specialized types, including refrigerated (reefer), open-top, and tank containers.
• Strictly conforms to ISO and international shipping standards.

Common Uses of cargo containers include:

• Modified for capability in offshore oil rigs and heavy industrial uses. 
• Storage hubs at ports and freight terminals.
• Cargo transportation to and from overseas for raw materials, consumer products, and industrial munitions.

Storage Containers

Storage containers are unlike shipping containers, which are largely used for freight transport, in that the former are suited for stationary storage. The additional security modifications and accessibility enhancements may alter the nature of these containers. 

Key Features of storage containers:

• Not ISO certified usually, as they are rarely used for international shipping.
• Available as new or secondhand, with modifications such as shelving, ventilation, and security locks are a few common ones.
• Cost-effective storage solutions for the business owner or the general public. 

Common Uses of storage containers are:

• Seasonal inventory storage for retail and commercial businesses.
• You can find storage containers for sale near you for storing furniture, tools and household items.
• Warehouses, farms and construction sites will find them useful for site storage. 

ISO Containers

ISO containers for sale are universalized shipping containers that adhere to regulations set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Due to their identical design, such containers can be carried in an interchangeable manner by sea, rail, or on the road. 

Key Features of ISO containers:

• Provided in various sizes and configurations, including dry containers, reefers, and open-top models.
• Stackable and intermodal, suitable for transport on ships, trucks, or trains without unloading contents.
• Conforming to precise ISO specifications for global compatibility and efficiency.

Common Uses of ISO Container include:

• For business entities that require secured storage in standardized and transportable units. 
• Emergency housing and disaster relief where portable medical units can be set up in disaster-prone areas.
• Global freight transportation for commercial and industrial sectors.

Intermodal Containers

These are specifically created to facilitate a transfer of cargo between different modes of transport without the need for repacking. Intermodal containers for sale play a critical role within modern-day supply chain logistics.

Key Features of Intermodal Container are:

• They are designed for heavy-duty handling and transfer, with stiffened structures to improve durability.
• Cargo efficiency is assured by lowering the cost of handling.
• They are compatible with cranes, forklifts, and any kind of transport equipment.

Common Uses of Intermodal Container include:

• Freight operations use these regularly for impromptu consignment transfers.
• Used by warehouses and distribution centers for movement of inventory.
• They link the rail and trucking industries as a link for rate freight between point A to B. 

Reefer Containers (Refrigerated Containers)

Reefer containers for sale are specialized refrigerated containers that can effectively keep temperature from between -30°C and +30°C to keep delicate produce fresh during transportation. Insulation makes sure that temperature changes are kept to the minimum for the long-term transport/storage. 

Key Features of Reefer Container:

• Equipped with built-in refrigeration units that provide precise temperature control to maintain product freshness.
• Insulated to prevent temperature fluctuations, ensuring the quality of goods during transport and storage.

Common Uses of Refrigerated Container:

• Transporting fresh produce, dairy products, seafood, and frozen products across the international borders while maintaining quality.
• Used by pharmaceuticals for temperature-sensitive medications, vaccines, and biological materials.
• Temporary cold storage at warehouses, grocery store chains, caterers, and large events needing refrigeration.

Tank Containers (ISO Tanks)

Tank containers, or ISO tanks, are highly specialized cylindrical containers developed within a steel framework for liquid transportation in bulk and other containers. The use of these containers is preferred in the transport of hazardous chemicals, food-grade liquids, and fuels, strictly adhering to safe operating procedures. 

Key Features of Tank Containers:

• Safe transport of liquids such as chemicals and food-grade substances in strict adherence to safety regulations.
• Leak-proof and corrosion-resistant construction, preventing contamination and simple handling.

Common Uses of Tank Containers:

• Safe transport of oil and gas products in an assortment of quality grades.

• The food processing industry relies heavily on the bulk transport of edible oils, fruit juices, and dairy products in tank containers.

• Effective water storage solution at building sites or remote-prime installations and military operations and also aid in disaster relief efforts.

Open-Top Containers

Open-top containers for sale are meant for larger loads that cannot fit into standard shipping containers. Unlike regular containers, these units do not have a fixed roof; they allow for top-loading of cargo using cranes and heavy equipment since they have either a removable tarp or a hard cover. 

Key Features of Open-top Container:

• A removable tarp or hard roof makes it possible to load cargo from the top using cranes or heavy machinery.
• Conducts lashing to secure large and heavy items during transit.

Common Uses of Open-Top Container:

• Carry bulky machinery to permit top-access loading, including construction equipment and industrial turbines.
• The construction and mining industries for moving raw materials like steel beams, pipes, and oversized stone blocks.
• Bulk cargo can also include wood logs, scrap metal, and oversized industrial parts which can’t be handled by traditional side-loading methods.

Side-Open Containers

Side-opening containers can have full side door access. These may be easy for loading and unloading and thus very versatile. It is especially aimed at transporting goods that are difficult to maneuver from the front-ended doors. These are suitable for quick access for forklifts that allow easy handling of palletized loads. 

Key Features of Side-Open Container:

• They have full-length side doors that allow easy loading of oversized cargo and better access for forklifts.
• Used most often in mobile retail, workshops, and event industries because of their versatile layout and broad space.

Common Uses of Side-Open Container:

• Used in the retail and event industries for portable pop-up shops, mobile exhibitions, and trade show booths.
• Workshops and mobile service units for vehicle repair, carpentry, and mechanical services.
• Logistics companies make use of them for loading larger, oddly-shaped goods requiring easy side access.

High Cube Containers

High cube containers for sale are an elongated version of standard shipping containers, growing an extra foot tall (9ft 6in instead of 8ft 6in). With immensity in load-space, other applications for high cube containers can be found in construction, warehousing, and modular housing projects.

Key Features of High Cube Container:

• Potentially stacking the goods should higher storage space be demanded, allowing a secondary height for habitation.
• A common proportion used in modular construction, thus very much preferred for homes, offices, and workshops.

Common Uses of High Cube Container:

• Due to the higher headroom, they are frequently converted into container homes, offices, and mobile workstations.
• Bulk storage inside the warehouse premises without the necessity for extra floor space.
• Workshops and mobile industrial units, where equipment and operational set-ups require ample space.

Sea Containers (C Containers)

These are large, strong shipping containers for moving goods over seas and oceans. They are generally from steel and affordable in sizes such as 20-foot and 40-foot containers to promote international trade.

Sea Cans (C Cans)

This is another term for containers mainly used in North America. They have basic use with freight transport, storage, and even repurposed applications as modular offices or housing.

Ocean Containers

All sorts of cargo transportation through the ocean waters is done in these containers. Ocean containers are ISO certified, meaning that they comply with the international norms for safe cargo movement.

Freight Containers

This is an umbrella term encompassing all sorts of containers capable of moving shipments from one point to another, be it roads, rails or seas. Dry containers, specialized cargo containers and reefers all come under this category.