Q. What materials are shipping container built from?
Q. What sizes are available?
Q. What does a used container look like?
Q. Do they all have dents?
Q. Where can I put a container?
Q. What happens to old shipping containers?
Q. How long do shipping containers last?
Q. What will be the future value of a new container versus a used container?
Q. Can we modify a container?
Q. What is the floor made from?
Q. Are all containers painted?
Q. How high can you stack them?

Q. What materials are shipping container built from?
A. Dry cargo shipping containers are manufactured using “Corten” corrosion resistant steel.
The container frame, roof & side panels along with the doors are pretreated to ensure longevity & all units are coated with a marine standard chlorinated rubber or acrylic paint system. Floors fitted are primarily plywood although units are sometimes fitted with steel
floors for specialised cargoes. Top of page

Q. What sizes are available?
A. Shipping containers are manufactured to ISO standards. Most common are 20’ & 40’ length units, however 8’ 10’ & 45’ units are available. All standard containers are uniform in width with height being usually 8’6 aside from Hi-cube containers which are 9’6 high. Top of page

Q. What does a used container look like?
A. Take a look at our “used containers” Units shown here are indicative of the second-hand units we can supply. Like anything used, such as a car, the condition will be primarily dependent on previous usage. Many containers spend long periods of their life on container ships for long ocean passages. Needless to say, they do not get damaged in this environment. Only with human intervention comes damage! Top of page

Q. Do they all have dents?
A. Not necessarily. Dependent on previous usage, many units have few dents.
Inevitably, units that are handled through the ports of the world. Top of page

Q. Where can I put a container?
A. Just about anywhere. Tarmac, gravel, grass, earth, or concrete surfaces are all acceptable. The container is self-supporting at the 4 corners. However, on soft unstable ground we always recommend 4 paving stones/2 railway sleepers or similar to spread the weight. Top of page

Q. What happens to old shipping containers?
A. Shipping containers usually remain in service with the worlds shipping lines for up to 10 years. Thereafter units are retired & usually sold for one-way shipment or for domestic storage purposes. With one-way shipment, the container is loaded for one last trip & is them disposed of at destination. At that point the unit will likely end up being utilised for storage, Nowadays many of the domestic container rental companies purchase new shipping containers to ensure longer service life. Top of page

Q. How long do shipping containers last?
A. New containers in domestic use will last in excess of 20-25 years.
Dependent on the particular trade route in which a container is used, ultimate condition will vary. Historically, 40’ containers suffer less damage handling damage than 20’ containers during their working life. Units that are initially utilised for international shipping for the first 10 years, will likely last in excess of 10 years. Units can easily be repaired to extend life. Top of page

Q. What will be the future value of a new container versus a used container?
A. As a general rule, container prices are determined by three Factors. Firstly the general condition of the container. Secondly the strength of the US$, as all new & used containers are sold internationally in US dollars. Lastly global economics plays a part as locations that traditionally have higher levels of idle containers will negate values.
It is impossible to predict future values, however as a general rule, new containers used solely for domestic storage will retain greater value longer. Where units are older & have been initially used in international shipping, there will obviously be great levels of corrosion & if left unmaintained, values will fall faster. Top of page

Q. Can we modify a container?
A. All containers manufactured for shipping are type tested to ensure compliance with both ISO & CSC(Convention for safe containers) If a container is to be shipped,structural integrity is the priority. In the event that a container is modified, it must be re-tested by an approved certification society/body before being loaded.
For domestic /storage use, pretty much anything is possible.
Please see our modifications page – link to modification page. Top of page

Q. What is the floor made from?
A. Since the 1990’s almost all standard containers have been manufactured with plywood floors. Some early 80’s units were manufactured with plank floors.
Reefer containers have aluminium “T” section floors. Top of page

Q. Are all containers painted?
A. All new containers are finished using a marine quality paint system designed for the rigours of international shipping. Top of page

Q. How high can you stack them?
A. In shipping, units are stacked up to nine high on board ship. In this scenario the bottom unit is carrying in excess of 200 tonnes it’s four corner posts.
The structural strength of a container is within the frame. The corrugated panels are there to withhold the cargo. Therefore, whilst you can store lightweight objects on the roof , heavier items will cause permanent damage or at minimum distortion of the roof panels. Top of page