Containerised

Containerised is an adjective derived from containerize, used to describe cargo or software packaged within standardized containers. In logistics, containerised cargo sits in intermodal shipping containers, enabling efficient transfer between ships, trains, and trucks. In information technology, containerised software is deployed inside isolated containers that include the application and its dependencies, allowing consistent execution across different environments.

In logistics, containerisation began in the mid-20th century to standardize cargo handling. The adoption of ISO-standard containers in the 1960s and 1970s enabled true intermodal transport, reducing cargo handling, theft, and damage while lowering costs. Standard container sizes, such as 20- and 40-foot units, and related specifications (ISO standards) facilitated rapid loading, unloading, and transfer across shipping lines, ports, and rail yards. The approach transformed global trade by improving efficiency, predictability, and scalability of supply chains.

In computing, containerisation uses operating-system-level virtualization to run applications in lightweight, isolated environments. The dominant model involves container engines such as Docker, which package an application with its dependencies into a container image that can run consistently on any compatible host. Containers share the host operating system kernel but operate in separate user spaces, making them more efficient than traditional virtual machines. Orchestration systems like Kubernetes coordinate large numbers of containers, supporting deployment, scaling, and resilience. Benefits include faster startup times, reproducible environments, and portability, while challenges include security considerations, networking complexity, and storage management.

The term containerised reflects its use in both domains, with variations in spelling (containerised vs containerized) according to regional conventions.