Shipping Containers- An Ultimate Solution for Storage and Transportation of Goods | LOTUS Containers

Ever wondered how the world would have been without shipping containers? Most of us indeed would not be aware of their importance but they have been an ultimate present for each individual on this planet. To some of us, its advantages seem to be restricted up to the shipping lines, factories, or container Supplier Company but indirectly it contributes to everyone’s lives. The food you consume, or the cloth you wear or the mobile phone you own would have been so difficult to reach you. 

Today, almost half of the population in Asia is now capable of owning an iPhone. But how did it become possible? That’s because of those big steel shipping boxes- carrying goods in bulk from one place to another in order to meet the demands of you and me. The Year 2018 witnessed approximately 42 million containers passing through the ports carrying a diverse range of cargoes. The pace at which the world is running can drastically slope down without the containers. Whether it is international trade or markets flourished with a range of products, shipping containers play a major role in helping us acquire whatever we need.  Let’s see some of its major usages in-

Transportation

Domestic Shipment:- Shipping containers are widely contributed for connecting different states within the country. It often becomes difficult to consume goods that are manufactured in other states. Every day thousands of shipping containers loaded on trucks carries a gamut of perishable products like milk, fruit, bread, meat, etc in bulk to meet the demand of people. The bulk is then broken at a place and is further distributed to different shops and markets. The milk you buy, or the newspaper being parcelled every morning wouldn’t have been able to reach us on time if there would have not been the involvement of shipping containers.

International Shipment:- Not every country is self-sufficient instead every country relies on its neighbouring nation for some or other resources. Countries usually import goods in two scenarios- either when it lacks resources or when they find goods at a cheaper rate from other countries. This is one of the biggest factors which has to strengthen China’s economy to an optimum level. China made it to the world’s largest exporter because it serves goods at a very cheap rate to every country. World trade in goods has increased dramatically over the last decade. Imagine how this all would have become possible without shipping containers. The different fleet of containers like tankers shipping petroleum products, reefers shipping perishable products, pallet wide shipping heavy machinery automobiles, and many more- all has an immense role in accelerating the global trade without disruption. 

Shipment of Raw Materials:- Everyday production and manufacturing are hugely supported by the long hauling trucks and trains carrying tons of raw materials to the factories and industries. Most of the US-based automobile industries import their units or parts from countries like China and Japan. Now imagine how it would have been possible to transport the gamut of raw materials to countries situated far apart. Ever since the advent of intermodal containers in 1956, they are being widely used for the shipment of raw materials or indirect materials to support the production of goods in different parts of the world.  

Finished Goods:- Shipping containers not only become the traveling agents for the transportation of raw materials but finished goods as well. Once the production is completed in a country, the goods to be exported to other countries are kept aside, and loaded on these steels made cargo containers to be dispatched. The containers that are used to ship raw materials to help production also play another role by shipping the finished goods to countries across the world.

For example- most of the cell phone companies' factories reside in China. Every year China exports millions of cell phones to a different part of the world. And in doing so, shipping containers become the biggest source of support. 

Industrial Shifting:- During the time of industrial shifting, it becomes quite arduous for the factory owner to shift those heavy and big size machinery and other types of equipment to a new location. Industrial shifting requires a lot of care and expertise regarding the handling & transportation of machines. The entire process of relocation is tough. The more the items in the move, the more complicated is the process. In such a case, a relevant container supplier acts as a boon if it deals with project-related tasks. Companies like LOTUS Containers are fulfilling this need of clients around the globe by supplying their containers in the international project related task. In a nutshell, this big size-shifting would have never been easy without the sturdy shipping containers. 

Storage

Undoubtedly, shipping containers have also been used hugely for the storage of goods of different types as they offer safe and secure storage for your valuables.

Commercial Usage:- Containers are widely being used in the commercial sector to store numerous types of products. From products ranging from oil, gases, machinery parts, raw materials, to finished products- factories and industries find it as a useful asset for storing goods. Companies often use containers for storage when they face bottlenecking in their inventory and warehouse. Sometimes, especially during the high season, the space in the warehouse and inventories got over packed and producers find it difficult to store additional goods. In such a case, acquiring shipping containers on lease stands as an affordable option. 

Personal Usage:- Asserting its inherent strength, durability and portability, shipping containers are immensely being used for household storage purposes as well. Most of the people tend to acquire one or two small sizes 20’ shipping containers, fix it in the back yard and use it as a storeroom to store unwanted or seasonal items. It always makes great temporary storage solutions when you’re moving, shifting houses, renovating interiors or just need some extra space, as it can be leased on a short term or even purchased at affordable rates.

Building Purpose

This is of no surprise that with passing time, shipping containers have made its place in the construction sector as well. Over the years, those strong sturdy steel boxes are finding great applications in making houses, stores, roadside shops, malls, swimming pools, sauna, to name a few. Their rectangular shape, coherent strength, and stacking ability makes them a perfect alternative for traditional houses and buildings. Building with shipping containers tends to be more affordable, eco-friendly, and consume less time as compared to a brick and mortar house.  

Whether be for shipping or storage, commercial or personal usage, shipping containers have been a fundamental part of our everyday lifestyle. It’s been 64 years, but their usability and worthiness have vastly increased over the past few years.