Der wichtigste und bekannteste Containertyp ist jener für die Handelsschifffahrt. Von diesem ISO-Container nach ISO 668 (freight container) sind derzeit bereits über 15 Millionen im Verkehr.

40-Fuß-ISO-Container

Der Fracht- oder Schiffscontainer wurde im Jahr 1956 von dem Reeder Malcolm McLean an der US-Ostküste für den Güterverkehr eingeführt, aber zunächst abschätzig als "Schachtelschiff" apostrophiert. Dennoch setzte er sich bald durch − gegen starken Widerstand der Hafenarbeiter, die um ihre Arbeitsplätze fürchteten und bessere Tarife erkämpften.

Inzwischen werden mit Containerschiffen zwei Drittel des grenzüberschreitenden Warenverkehrs durchgeführt. Die Frachtcontainer wurden dadurch zur Basis der wirtschaftlichen Globalisierung; mit ihnen wird u.a. der Großteil des Warenhandels mit Fertigprodukten abgewickelt. Die Container können wegen ihrer genormten Form mit den verschiedensten Transportmitteln (Seeschiffe, Binnenschiffe, Eisenbahn, Lkw) befördert und schnell umgeschlagen werden. Gängig sind hierbei 20-Fuß-Container − die sogenannten TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) − und 40-Fuß-Container (FEU = forty foot equivalent unit).

Die 20'-Standardcontainer messen etwa 6 x 2,5 x 2,5 Meter und können z.B. 10.000 Jeans oder 20.000 original-verpackte Uhren aufnehmen, aber auch Sperrgut, zu kühlende Waren usw. Das größte Containerschiff (in Dänemark zugelassen) fasst 13.000 solcher Standardbehälter; der größte, vollautomatisierte Containerhafen ist seit einigen Jahren Hamburg-Altenwerder.

Quelle

Containers, also known as intermodal containers or as ISO containers because the dimensions have been defined by the ISO, are the main type of equipment used in intermodal transport, particularly when one of the modes of transportation is by ship. Containers are eight feet (2438 mm) wide by eight feet (2438 mm) high. Since introduction, there have been moves to adopt other heights, such as eight feet six inches (2591 mm), nine feet six inches (2896 mm) and ten feet six inches (3200 mm). The most common lengths are 20 feet (6096 mm) nominal or 19 feet (5.8 m) - 10½ in (6058 mm) actual, 40 feet (12192 mm), 48 feet (14630 mm) and 53 feet (16154 mm), although other lengths exist. They are made out of steel and can be stacked on top of each other (a popular term for a two-high stack is "double stack").

On ships they are typically stacked up to seven units high. They can be carried by truck, rail, container ship, or aeroplane. When carried by rail, containers can be loaded on flatcars or in container well cars. In Europe, stricter railway height restrictions (smaller loading gauge and structure gauge) and overhead electrification prohibit containers from being stacked two high, and containers are hauled one high either on standard flatcars or other railroad cars. Taller containers are often carried in well cars single stacked on older European railway routes where the loading gauge is particularly small.

Some variations on the standard container exist. Open-topped versions covered by a fabric curtain are used to transport larger loads. A container called a tanktainer, consisting of a tank fitted inside a standard container frame, allows liquids to be carried. Refrigerated containers are used for perishables. There is also the swap body, which is typically used for road and rail transport, as they are built too lightly to be stacked. They have folding legs under their frame so that they can be moved between trucks without using a crane.

Various non-standard container forms are commonly used. These include non-stackable open box containers, and several slightly non standard geometries. European containers are often about two inches wider than the ISO standard although otherwise conformant, which can carry the euro-pallet standard pallet load. Specialised containers used in Europe include containerised coal carriers, and recently 'bin-liners' - containers designed for the efficient road/rail transportation of rubbish from cities to recycling and dump sites.

Truck trailers are often used, in countries where the loading gauge is sufficient, for freight that is transported primarily by road and rail. Typically, regular semi-trailers can be used, and do not need to be specially designed.