CONEX containers are large cargo containers in which goods are stored for transport in trains, boats, and trucks. Also called CONEX boxes, shipping containers, ISO boxes, or storage containers, they are made of metal, weather-resistant, and come in different sizes. Around the world, they are a common sight at container yards or depots, where they are held or stored after having been unloaded. Until the time for their reloading comes, they remain there arranged in a grid and stacked on top of each other.
Below is some key information about CONEX containers:
1. History
The CONEX container was first developed during the Korean War for the purpose of storing large quantities of goods without causing structural integrity issues. During the Vietnam War, it was further modified to withstand harsher conditions and allow for stacking three containers high. Made of corrugated steel, it was quite useful to soldiers at that time who needed a reliable storage option for their heavy goods, supplies, and other cargo.
2. Dimensions
Over time, the generic sizes of CONEX containers have changed a few times. Depending on the type of cargo they have to accommodate, they have been made smaller or bigger, shorter, longer, or taller, and narrower or wider.
For instance, the “Transporter,” which was a container model used to move supplies during the war, measured 8 feet 6 inches long, 6 feet 3 inches wide, and 6 feet 10 inches high. There were also containers that were smaller, such as those measuring 6 feet 3 inches long, 4 feet 3 inches wide, and 6 feet 10 inches high, which were suitable for tighter spaces.
Nowadays, CONEX containers have two standard sizes --- 20 feet long (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit or TEU) and 40 feet long (Forty Foot Equivalent Unit or FEU), both with a fixed width of 8 feet and a fixed height of 8 feet 6 inches.
3. Costs
The price of a CONEX container depends on a variety of factors, including the type of container, the manufacturer or supplier, the features it comes with, if it is new or used, if you are buying or renting, and where it is located. In the US, for example, buying a standard 20-foot container can cost around 3,500 dollars while a 40-foot container can cost around 5,000 dollars on average.
4. Uses
A CONEX container can be utilized for a wide range of purposes. Below are some examples:
Dry and general-purpose containers can be used to ship boxes, pallets, cartons, and other types of dry goods.
There are also those that feature unique mechanisms to fit the goods they house. A few examples are containers that offer hangers so that garments that are not foldable can be properly stored and transported, containers that have rollers on their floors so that heavy goods, such as large pallets, can be loaded and unloaded more easily, and containers that have temperature control, whether for heating or refrigeration, to store perishable goods, chemicals, and other products.
These days, containers can be turned into residential and commercial spaces too. There are prefab container office or home manufacturing companies and services that design and create living spaces complete with doors, windows, toilets, , and more. Using one (or more) container, office or home spaces can be built and used like any other accommodation.
5. How to buy
There are important steps that you need to take when buying a CONEX container. First, you have to determine the size of the container you need, your purpose for buying it, your location, and your budget. Then, get a quote from trusted container manufacturers and suppliers. Remember to read client and customer reviews to ensure you do business with the best. Do not hesitate to ask questions and schedule an inspection of the unit. Once you have made your choice and ensured that the product is all good, finalize the purchase and arrange for its delivery.
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