The BBC Box returns after the unique year-long BBC News project which helped them to know the condition of international trade just by tracking a shipping container around the world.

After going everywhere in the world, the BBC Box has returned to Southampton and their partner NYK has agreed to donate this container to charity. The container will now be transported to Africa and then it will be refitted as a soup kitchen for those in need.

The editor of BBC business and economics, Jeremy Hillman, said that the poorest countries were badly hit as the global economy had stopped growing for the first time in the past 60 years. The container business made a collective profit of £3billion in 2008 but it is estimated that it will make a £20billion in 2009.

He also said that the box has been successful in that it helped cover the growth in international piracy and its impact on insurance. It has also covered the profitability of the Suez Canal through which it passed early in its journey.

Shipping containers are used by companies and occasionally by individuals in order to ship products locally or even internationally. Shipping containers are usually chosen based on the following factors:

• Size
• Weight
• Type of item being shipped

Another important factor is the nature of the product. This means, considering whether the product is liquid, frozen or solid.

If you are looking for tips to ensure that you choose the right shipping container read the following.

1) Company’s needs: You should begin by identifying your company’s needs. For instance, if you have heavy machinery that needs to be shipped, you can go for a flat rack shipping container. Containers with an open top will be ideal for oversized cargo. Dry van containers will be completely covered and weather proof. Depending on the safe keeping and affordability of packaging your goods, you should choose the right shipping container for your shipping needs.

2) The nature of items: You should choose a shipping container depending on the nature of the items. If the items you choose to ship are fragile or oddly shaped, choose smaller plastic cargo containers only to package your items. After you package your items in this smaller container, use a large sized metal container to pack all of them in one.

3) Dangerous cargo: Items that are dangerous or highly flammable require containers that are made specifically for such items. This could include drums, plastic cans and others, which may later be packaged into bigger containers.

Follow these three tips in order to ensure the safe shipment of your goods.

Natural calamities and many unfortunate events can leave people without homes for months and even years. Unfortunately, when such disasters strike, they can affect hundreds and thousands of people at the same time. This makes housing such a large number of people quite difficult. However, over the last few years, a solution has been found for this problem through the use of shipping containers.

Building homes with shipping containers

As surprising and strange as it may seem, it is true that shipping containers can be used as housing facilities. This is especially useful during those times when natural disasters affect a large number of people and leave them homeless. Shipping containers are large enough to provide shelter for an entire family and sometimes even more. Basic furniture items and accessories can also be included in these containers to make them more liveable.

Excellent portable accommodation

Shipping containers are built for transportation purposes. This makes it very easy to transport them almost anywhere. This particular feature makes shipping containers an excellent type of portable accommodation. They can be shipped to any place that requires emergency housing. This also makes them ideal in places which undergo construction for a long time as workers have some place to relax or even stay during that time.

Insulated shipping containers are used to ship products that are temperature sensitive. This includes products such as pharmaceuticals, food and chemicals. They maintain product safety and freshness and are used as a part of a comprehensive product cold chain all through a product’s distribution cycle. Listed below is some important information about insulated and refrigerated shipping containers:

• Safe: One primary benefit of insulated containers is safety. Products which present a unique shipping difficulty as a result of constant temperature maintenance can be shipped safely.

• Economical: Insulated containers are cost effective. They are lightweight and require light to average maintenance. You can reuse insulated shipping containers and get value for money. In addition to this, they are also recyclable.

• Construction: The construction of insulated containers is different from average shipping containers. An insulated shipping container is a thick moulded foam container. It protects the contents inside from breakage and damage.

You can choose your shipping container based on your product needs and the time required for the journey. An insulated shipping container may be made of the following materials:

• Vacuum flasks: These are similar to thermos bottles

• Fabricated thermal blankets or liners

• Polystyrene foam, that is moulded or expanded. This could include EPS and Styrofoam.

• Bubble wrap or gas plastic panels

You can choose the right material needed for your shipping needs, keeping in mind the size, nature and sensitivity of the material you want to ship.

Every company understands the need for proper storage of goods. There are also times when demand increases and the need for excess storage space arises. At these times, increasing storage space suddenly is not possible. So companies have to find a way to increase storage space temporarily, until they can make permanent arrangements or until demand goes back to normal.

Temporarily increase storage space with storage containers

A cost-effective way for companies to increase their current storage space is through the use of shipping containers. These containers are extremely useful due to their sheer size and sturdiness. The ability of storage containers to hold all kinds of goods makes them the perfect solution for companies looking for additional temporary storage space.

Storage container hire

The good news about getting additional temporary storage today is that these shipping containers do not necessarily have to be bought. There are quite a few storage container hire companies which offer these containers for rent for a good price. Depending on the required space, companies can select from a large collection of storage container hire options. From 10’ to 40’ long storage containers, companies can easily find the size they require.

If that is not enough, there are also storage container hire companies which provide insulated and refrigerated containers on lease. These storage containers are especially useful for meeting the storage needs of companies in the perishable foods sector. Thanks to these temporary storage options, companies from all sectors can meet additional storage requirements in a cost-effective manner.