An intermodal container
An intermodal container (also known as a container, freight container, ISO container,
shipping container, hi-cube container, box, conex box, sea can, sea container, or
(possibly improperly) c-container or c-box) is a standardized reusable steel box.
Intermodal containers are used to store and move materials and products efficiently and
securely in the global containerized intermodal freight transport system. "Intermodal"
indicates that the container can be moved from one mode of transport to another (from
ship to rail to truck) without unloading and reloading its contents. Lengths of
containers, which each have a unique ISO 6346 reporting mark, vary from 8 to 56 feet
(2.438 to 17.069 m) and heights from 8 feet (2.438 m) to 9 feet 6 inches (2.896 m).
There are about 17 million intermodal containers in the world of varying types to suit
different cargoes.
For air freight, the alternative and lighter IATA-defined unit load device is used.
Non-container methods of transport include bulk cargo, break bulk cargo, and tank cars,
tank trucks, and oil tankers used for liquids or gases.
