Shipping Container Types and Uses - FLORIDA CONTAINER DEPOT

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Shipping Container Types and Uses

Shipping containers used in shipping or intermodal transport must meet standards as to condition and uniform sizing, these containers are sometimes just referred to as ISO or ISO standard containers. Some the standard sizes and types are 10ft shipping containers, 20ft shipping containers or TEU's, 40ft shipping containers or 2 TEU, 45ft shipping containers and in intermodal and soon some ship lines the 53ft shipping container. Other non-iso containers exist and we have a a listing of those under the specialty shipping containers link. Some non-iso standard containers used in shipping are open top containers, side opening shipping containers, tunnel or sometimes called double door shipping containers with a double set of doors on each end, half height shipping containers, tank shipping containers, refrigerated or reefer containers, flat racks,

Shipping Containers come in many different conditions so we try and classify them according to useability. Some container dealers assign "grades" but in the industry there are no "grades" so to speak. Some dealers figured out a way to make extra money by making their containers sound better than their competitors was a grade but the fact is that no grading exsist. The biggest problem with trying to compare "grades" for the consumer is that if such a system existed that everyone selling containers may grade them different or call their boxes "A" grade as not to lose a sell. That is why we try and classify them by their usefulness in the industry.

Shipping Containers we buy and sell are manufactured from and are made of 14ga. Cor-Ten Steel a trademark name (sometimes called Corton) which is a weathering steel designed to form a protective layer of rust when when a container is scratched or chipped so it will slow down the further rusting process. It is a steel and brass combination with other alloys to withstand weathering and salt exposure. This is important for containers that spend a lot of time on a ship at sea or in the port.

The flooring is a marine grade plywood about 1 1/8" inch thick and handle extreme weights and is weather and pest resistant.. Most flooring is 19-21 plywood and floor weight limits are designed to hold up to 30 tons.

Containers have several classifications and here we will try and explain some common industry standards.

Starting with newest containers that are called One-Trip Containers and some just say new but they are really one-trip units. We try and only buy one trip containers that are the newest model year or in near the closest you can get from the manufacture. We also only buy one trip units that have only been used for clothing or household goods. All meet standard ISO, Det Norske Veritas AS (called DNV) and CSC certification standards.

One Trip meaning one load from overseas
Condition= excellent no dents, very minor scratches
Flooring condition= excellent no stains or delamination
Door condition = excellent functioning and seals
Year range= 0-2 years old
Color Choices= Blue, Grey, Tan. Others also available
Options= lockbox, stake pockets, lead free paint
Value= excellent, great resell & we offer buy back guarantee (pro-rated)
Type of loads= clothing mostly, houshold goods.

The next containers are IICL certified, these are between new one trip and cargo worthy containers for condition and strict standards. Most still meet all the ISO, Det Norske Veritas AS (DNV) and CSC certification standards as do the one trip containers.

IICL Certified & Meets CSC Standards
Condition= excellent, very minor dents, scratches, little to no rust
Flooring condition= great no big stains or delamination
Door condition = great functioning and great seals
Year range= avg. 2-8 years
Colors= Blue, Grey, Tan, Green, Dark Red and others
Options= some have lockbox, stake pockets, lead free paint
Value= great, great resell & we offer buy back guarantee (pro-rated)
Type of loads= houshold goods, cleaner type loads.

Cargo Worthy, these containers are currently used by one of shipping lines and are fit for export and CSC Standards. These are still in service or newly off hire waiting to be put back in service or used as backup containers when the lines run short of containers. These are wind and water tight and we inspect them for damage and leaks to ensure they are trouble free. Any repairs have been done to strict standards and by professional methods not just "patched" to sell. These are also great for storage uses since these are a good value due to condition and price vs new units and very usable for many years.

Cargo Worthy good for export, meets CSC standards
Condition= Good, some dents, scratches, some surface rust, no holes
Flooring condition= good, no holes or major delamination
Door condition = good functioning to little stiff, good seals
Year range= 7-12 years old, depends on lines.
Color Choices= Dark Red, Blue, Green, Red/ Brown. Others also available
Options= stake pockets 20ft some 40ft, lead free paint
Value= good, good resell, we also purchase these from customers
Type of loads= houshold goods, tools, cars, machinery, you name it.

Wind and Water Tight or WWT, these are still useable as storage and a good value. Pricing is typically from two to five hundred less than Cargo Worthy shipping containers. Most are wind and water tight in usable condition, these are retired from shipping lines sometimes just because the depreciation has expired or due to minor damage that has been repaired by professional methods. Most sellers say WWT but do not guarantee them to be so just because they say ther are ask if they will put it in writing. We always put in writing what you are buying and stand behind it.

Wind Water Tight or WWT
Condition= good some dents, scratches, rusting, patches
Flooring condition= good usable, no holes, small delaminations
Door condition = good functioning to a little stiff and decent seals maybe small tears
Year range= 7-14 years old and older. FCD does not sell containers older than 14 years
Color Choices= Red, Red/ Brown, Blue, Green, Others also available
Options= some older boxes are lacking stake pockets on 20ft and none on 40ft
Value= good, least priced usable containers. some resell value
Type of loads= no loads, out of service, off hire, retired.

AS-IS Shipping containers, these are the ones that some sell as WWT. These are not inspected by us for the most part and bought in stacks so we do not check them very closely. Some are leak free while others can have pin holes or small holes that need patched or have been patched in the roof or bad seals, some loose flooring boards or delamination of several layers maybe. These are for low priced storage great hay, tires or other items that need to be out of sight or general exposure to outside weather.

AS-IS meaning not inspected.
Condition= dents, scratches, pin holes, weak paint
Flooring condition= fair maybe stains or delamination, maybe holes
Door condition = fair functioning, maybe stiff, fair seals
Year range= 10-14 years old, we do not sell boxes older than 14 years
Color Choices= red, red / brown, Others also available
Options= most no options, may have lock box on some
Value= fair, some resell & scrap value.
Type of loads= retired, ex-rental containers

Typical Uses for Shipping Containers and Modified Containers
Art Studios Cafes Coffee Shops Small Portable Retail Spaces Farm & Ranch Equipment Storage Hay Storage Feed Storage General Storage Inventory Overflow Storage Temporary Warehouse Space Construction Offices Car Lot Offices Oil Field Tool Rooms Grow Houses (in some states) Agriculture Storage Nursery Storage Fireworks Stands Shipping Container Homes Building Supplies Storage Construction Materials Tool Storage Field Offices Radio Repeater Enclosures Auto Parts Storage Tire Storage Self Storage Units	Shipping Container Houses In-Law Apartment Home Offices Swimming Pools Train Room Hobby Room Gun Rooms Secure Storage Vaults Reloading Rooms Mini Self Storage Doomsday Bunkers Safe Room Storm Shelters Emergency Shelters Generator Enclosures Equipment Enclosures Water Treament Fuel Stations Hazardous Storage Fire Training Buildings Military Training Buildings Military Communication Boxes Military Sleeping Quarters Baseball and Softball Field Storage Guard Shacks and Much More.
See Something of interest? or have an idea for a container use? We can modify a container to your specifications and build any of the above in-house.