Archive for January, 2009

Tips to ensure a safe delivery when using shipping containers

Friday, January 30th, 2009

When shipping products around the world or within national borders, it is necessary to carefully plan for ensuring a prompt and safe delivery. It is crucial to choose the right type of shipping container when you are shipping your personal items or products for your company. Selecting the right container can result in savings on time, money and protection for your goods.

Shipping containers are available in different sizes and must be selected according to their weight, type and size of goods being shipped. In addition, you should consider the sensitivity of the shipped goods, as frozen, dry, liquid and solid goods require different types of containers.

Many shipping containers are specifically designed for industrial use. They are available in various sizes and have different weight capacities. For example, goods that need to be refrigerated or kept frozen can be shipped in special refrigerated containers. Shipping containers are also available for shipping heavy machinery, coal, grain, steel pellets and other oversized, bulk or heavy cargo products.

Before shipping, it is necessary to decide on the packaging of your goods for safe delivery. Also, consider the quickest and easiest time required to load and unload the goods. Depending on the quantity and weight of your shipped goods, it will be easier to use some shipping containers than others.

Shipping containers are available for hire or lease and for outright purchase. Remember, to label your shipping containers correctly and meet all international shipping regulations.

Hire shipping containers for storage and portable homes

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

Storage containers are used for both transportation of goods and self storage services. However, storage containers can be quite an investment and alternative options like renting and hiring can make the venture worthwhile.

Storage shipping containers are built to last a long time as they hold high density items. The materials that are incorporated to construct the shipping containers are durable and have the ability to survive turbulences like storms, hurricanes, bad weather and excessive rain.

If the shipping container is required for temporary use or the budget is strict then alternatives like hire and rent are a good option for using a shipping container. This way, the money spent on the shipping container would be reduced.

Once the shipping container is at your service then you can use it anyway you prefer. Everything depends on you and your imagination. Self storages are also an option for the use of shipping containers. Self storage spaces are allocated to the customers while the shipping container stays safe and secure within the premises.

Why should you use self storage services?

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Space limitation is a problem that you have to face at home as well as at work. These days you hardly have any space to move around, leaving you very little room for storing those articles that are not used regularly. Self storage is the best solution in such cases for both individual and commercial usage.

Self storage services are provided by many companies and you can easily book a place for yourself. The charges for using self storage facilities are usually very affordable. In most cities in the UK, self storage facilities are available at a variety of locations and so you can easily pick up a place that is most convenient for you.

Self storage containers are usually made of good material and safe from climate fluctuations. Thus you can store any type of material and be worry free about its safety. The companies providing self storage services are also careful about the safekeeping of your goods. The security is extremely good and most of the places have 24 hour CCTV jurisdiction making break-ins almost impossible.

By hiring self storage services you can use the storage space of your office for new staff or gift your child his/her own room at home. Self storage premises are usually open seven days a week and with prior arrangements you can access your stored goods anytime, even if they are closed. Thus self storage is the best alternative to conventional storage systems.

Increased transport logistics through refrigerated containers

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Ever wonder how perishable foods are transported from one place to another that is probably a few hundred miles away? The answer is refrigerated containers. Containers do not imply those small plastic boxes that fit easily into bags. These refrigerated containers are actually those extremely large 20 and 40 feet containers that can transport a large amount of goods.

These refrigerated containers are really shipping containers that are extensively used in the trade industry to transport goods that need to be preserved until they reach a specific destination. The goods that are required to be kept cool while being transported are first packed in refrigerated containers at factories or warehouses. The refrigerated containers are sealed and then transported to distant places via trucks, ships, trains or planes.

The cooling and insulated walls ensure that goods worth huge amounts of money are well kept from the time they are packed till the time they are unpacked.

Refrigerated containers are used to transport anything that needs to be kept under a certain temperature. Companies dealing with large amounts of shipping and storage containers usually have some of these storage containers for sale. However, as buying these containers is not an option for many companies, most companies prefer to hire these shipping containers for limited uses, which is an excellent option as well.

What you need to know about shipping containers

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Shipping containers are used to store items of various types and are mostly used for transportation of goods. The items that a shipping container holds vary from powerful chemicals to food or household goods. The biggest challenge a shipping container faces is to provide a hospitable and suitable environment to the items that are stored within.

Insulated shipping containers are mostly used for storing products that are extremely sensitive to changing temperatures and condensation. Polyurethane foam is used to insulate the inside of a shipping container.

Refrigerated shipping containers are used for storing products that thrive in controlled temperatures. The temperature within a refrigerated container changes from +25 to -25 deg C thereby providing a suitable environment. Refrigerated shipping containers are ideal for storing food items that need to be preserved for a longer duration.

Storage shipping containers are apt for storing almost all kinds of products. The doors of the shipping containers are lockable so that security can be maintained. The shipping containers have to compulsorily adhere to the ISO/CSC rules and regulations, especially when they are used for internal shipment.

Self storage shipping containers provide services wherein the customers can acquire storage areas for storing their personal stuff within a secured premise. However, certain rules are to be observed for the same, which is why contracts are used. The shipping containers can also be converted into portable homes, offices, changing rooms, offices, laboratories and workshops.

Common types of shipping containers to meet your transport needs

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

The invention of shipping containers has been a huge boost to not only the trading industry, but to the world as a whole. With these sturdy and robust shipping containers, temporary storage and transportation of goods has become relatively easy. Different designs and materials are used to make these shipping containers because there are a number of purposes they serve.

Shipping containers are available in a number of sizes ranging from less than 10 feet to about 40 feet. The height and width of these containers are usually around 8 or 9 feet and normally have double doors and sometimes open tops. Shipping containers are mostly used in the trade and transport industry to move large amounts of goods from one place to another.

According to your requirements, you can either get these shipping containers on hire or you can buy them. Shipping containers are available in two main types.

  • The first kind is the dry cargo or general purpose containers which are the most used in the shipping industry. These containers are waterproof and built strong and durable to keep their contents safe from all elements.
  • The second type is the specialised shipping container. These are generally the insulated or refrigerated containers that are used to transport fruits, meats, chemicals and other items that require a particular temperature for their longevity. Depending on the type of goods that need transportation, you can select the right type of shipping containers to get the job done easily and efficiently.

Shipping containers: whether to hire or purchase them?

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009

Storage space for various products when transporting them from one place to another is an issue that many retailers have to deal with. Today the use of shipping containers for this purpose has made it easier for retailers to get the job done. Shipping containers come in a large variety, each with its own purpose. These containers are available for sale as well as for hire. This makes it quite confusing when a new retailer has to deal with the decision of either buying or hiring a shipping container.

In order to make this decision easier for you, it is necessary for you to have some knowledge of these containers. Your choice of shipping container depends on the nature of your goods. This part is generally handled by the shipping company, telling you what type of a container would suit your needs.

Shipping containers today are used for accommodation purposes too. Therefore if you want a container for temporary storage purposes it is better for you to get a hired container, but if you plan on using your shipping container as a temporary home or office, then purchasing the container would be a smart choice.

Shipping companies generally provide you with shipping containers as part of their package.

Self storage for important items

Saturday, January 10th, 2009

A self storage unit is required when you are going on an extended trip, or are moving home. The things left behind in the storage unit will be in the same position until you come back to get them once again. Usually, people leave things in the self storage unit which are expensive, or that they love and want to preserve. There are a few important things to be considered when you are storing your belongings in self storage to keep them safe.

It is important to organise and categorise your belongings before you put them into self storage. Special objects, such as photo albums, paintings, antiques and special documents need to be stored in a sealed and heated indoor unit. A large number of self storage units are quite open and have fans to circulate the air. Moisture could get into the items hence you need a well closed self storage unit.

It is advisable to pack all your important items safely to avoid breakage. The more easily breakable items like glasses and mirrors must be stored on top while heavy non-breakable items must be stored at the bottom.

You can take the help of experts in the field of self storage units to perform your storing work in a better way.

Details of shipping containers

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Shipping containers are used to store goods on a temporary basis while being transported from one place to another. Shipping containers are designed differently to fit different purposes and are made of different materials. Shipping containers are available in different weights and sizes.

While talking about shipping containers, it is important to understand the following terms:

Tare weight or tare mass: The weight of the empty container under normal operating conditions is known as tare weight or tare mass.

Shipping container rating: Maximum weight permissible for the shipping container and its contents gives its rating.

Payload: The total weight that a shipping container can carry is known as payload.

Stickers are stuck on the shipping container that shows its tare weight or tare mass, rating and payload. A sticker containing the identification code is placed inside and outside the shipping container. The identification code mentions the container numbers and the owner of the container. This data is useful for better controlling, tracing and monitoring of the shipping container.

Generally, shipping containers are classified into two groups:

General container or dry cargo container: This is the most common shipping container used in the industry. It is strong as well as waterproof. There is usually a door in its side walls.

Special cargo container: This is generally used for transporting chemicals.

Shipping containers for a variety of uses

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Waterways are a common and convenient mode of transport. They are commonly used for trade activities between countries and commercial hubs with the help of ships. In order to carry ship merchandise from place to place, shipping containers are used. Shipping containers are huge boxes that allow the storage of your transport materials.

Shipping containers make trade and transport easy. The goods to be transported are generally filled into the container at the factory itself, from where it is transported to the sea port and then onto the ship to its destination. There is special equipment that is used to handle these containers so that your goods are not damaged.

Shipping containers are designed in a way that lets you take maximum advantage of the space made available to you. They are available in a variety of types that help you store almost anything in these containers.

There are insulated shipping containers that let you transport good that need a particular temperature at all times. Dry van containers are also available for all those moisture sensitive goods. Refrigerated containers help you carry perishable and frozen food items so that they remain fresh and in good condition even after it reaches its destination.

Today, shipping containers are also used as a housing solutions by many. As these are affordable compared to contemporary houses, they are an option that many are choosing. Once equipped with all the necessary facilities, these containers are as good as your contemporary home.