Shipping containers are as ubiquitous as cell phones, but they were revolutionary when they were first introduced. Supply chain professionals are always looking for ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency and speed. This supply chain mentality inspired the creation of common, standardized shipping containers.
Today, shipping containers are used to transport goods across the globe. There are many types of shipping containers, from standard steel to customized polyethylene plastic. Listed below are some important characteristics to look for when evaluating shipping containers.
Corrugated steel
In addition to protecting products, corrugated steel shipping containers can also help you save space in your warehouse. For instance, if you have a lot of heavy-duty parts that need to be shipped from A to B, they can be difficult to stack and can even be a safety hazard if left unattended.
Besides being durable, corrugated steel shipping containers are also rust-resistant. Corrugated steel is the strongest metal used in construction and is capable of handling nearly any weight. It can also withstand tremendous pressure. Lastly, it is mold and moisture-resistant.
Polyethylene plastic
The material used in shipping containers is polyethylene, a hard plastic. There are different types of polyethylene, each of which is used for different purposes. The material is also highly durable. It can be used for both short and long-term storage of food and beverages. It is available in various colors and sizes.
Plastics are made from a variety of different chemicals. The chemical composition of these materials influences their mechanical properties, and these properties can be modified by adding special additives. Carbon fiber and glass fibers (https://en.wikipedia.org/polymers) are two examples of special additives that are sometimes added to the plastic.
The addition of these materials to the plastic matrix provides a composite material with superior strength and elasticity. Even though plastics are made from long-chain molecules, they do not have the same inherent tensile strength as metal. To solve these issues, they are usually reinforced with fibers or a polymer base that has high tensile strength.
Polyethylene plastic is also used in many types of packaging. Many types of food and beverages are packed in this material, and this material can be recycled to make new bottles. This type of plastic is also lightweight and flexible. Several companies use polyethylene to package their goods, including restaurants, convenience stores, and even grocery stores.
Injection molding
During the injection molding process, raw material is fed into the tool by a hopper. It is then injected into a barrel that is heated to a temperature that causes the plastic to flow through the tool. A screw that is inside the barrel is used to advance the raw material. This screw also mixes and homogenizes the viscous and thermal distributions of the polymer. This helps reduce the heating time.
Injection molding offers many benefits over other manufacturing processes, including cost-efficiency, high volume, and excellent quality. Its process is also highly repeatable, which makes it ideal for large quantities of parts. Plastic injection molding can also create intricate parts at a lower cost.
Loss of Property
Every year, approximately one thousand of these large, heavy-duty metal boxes are lost in the ocean, causing massive losses in both financial and environmental terms. These accidents also threaten the safety of marine life. Most often, the problems stem from the improper loading or unloading of the containers.
This type of loss can have severe consequences on the supply chain. If a container is lost, the entire supply chain can be disrupted, and authorities can pursue ship owners for compensation. A shipping company may lose its reputation with clients and be subject to punitive lawsuits.
Cost
The high cost of these boxes is due to an increase in consumer demand. A few years ago, merchants were only paying $3,000 for a box of standard size, according to this blog. This price increase has a negative effect on merchant profit margins. Experts estimate that costs will continue to rise until 2023. Most leading logistics providers believe that it will take years for shipping costs to stabilize.
The cost of shipping containers has increased sevenfold in the last 18 months, which is higher than the cost of building a traditional home. The recent outbreak of the coronavirus disrupted trade routes and supply chains, resulting in price spikes.