containere

Containere is the plural form of container in Danish and Norwegian, and is commonly used in those languages to refer to standard shipping containers. The English term container broadly designates a standardized, reusable box for storing and transporting goods by ship, rail, road, or air. Shipping containers are designed for intermodal handling, meaning they can be transferred between modes without unloading the contents.

Most common containers are dry cargo boxes, with 20-foot and 40-foot lengths being standard. High-cube variants are taller, providing more internal volume. Containers are built from steel with corrosion-resistant coatings and have corner castings that allow them to be stacked and secured on ships, trucks, and cranes.

Standards and safety: ISO 668 covers external dimensions and ratings; ISO 1161 defines corner fittings; the CSC plate documents safety certification for international transport. Variants include refrigerated containers (reefer) for temperature-controlled cargo, open-top, open-side, flat rack, and tank containers for liquids.

Uses and impact: The container revolutionized global trade by enabling rapid load/unload and efficient long-haul transport; they enable seamless transfers between ships, trains, and trucks; they are widely used for storage in warehouses and construction sites, and many are repurposed for housing, offices, or temporary shelters.

History: Containerization emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, driven by the need to reduce handling costs and damage; standardized sizes and locking systems allowed widespread adoption, leading to lower shipping costs and increased trade. The practice remains central to international logistics.

See also: containerization, intermodal transport, refrigeration containers.