The History of Shipping Containers

Everyone worldwide knows what shipping containers are and what they look like. They’ve become an essential part of storage and shipping for many corporations and nations. Where did it all begin, though? The history of shipping containers is now well-know. Subsequently, containers have contributed to the evolution of worldwide exports for the better.

This article will go back in time to describe how the first shipping container came about. We will also look into the exponential growth of shipping containers throughout history. Additionally, we will visit how it became one of the critical elements of modern-day exporting and importing.

The Birth Of The Shipping Container

The earliest record of the shipping container being around was in 1956 by the American Malcolm McLean. While you’d think McLean was involved with ocean liners, he was the head of a trucking company. After realising that efficiency was poor, McLaren invented the earliest version of the shipping container to transport goods across the country.

The key benefit of this discovery was to easily transport all your goods from ship to truck without unloading and loading the goods.

This breakthrough was accomplished after McLean purchased the Pan Atlantic Tanker Company, which included many shipping assets. He experimented with several methods of crafting a suitable container, and eventually, he found the perfect form, which was then patented as a “shipping container”. A robust, theft-resistant and weather-resistant steel box.

The Introduction Of Shipping Containers To Businesses

The shipping container would become an integral piece of equipment for many large scale businesses across the US and the world. Changing the way companies saw freight transport and international export and imports.

Important contents could now be transported safely with the reduced damage taken thanks to the firm walls of the containers. Moreover, the securing process was made so much easier, which took a lot of the workload off labourers.

At the end of the 20th century, approximately 90% of the world’s cargo was transported via shipping containers. A fundamental piece of equipment that took just 40 years to become an integral tool for assisting global commerce.

The Development Of Other Kinds Of Shipping Containers

It didn’t take long for the shipping container to evolve toward several versions of new containers. By the 1960s, insulated shipping containers had become a standard method of shipping items that needed to retain a specific temperature.

However, the 1970s saw the development of refrigerated containers, which revolutionised the shipment of frozen goods around the country and the world.

The Future of Shipping Containers

More recent times have seen the modification of shipping containers into makeshift cafes, eateries and even houses. A growing trend towards recycling and sustainability has seen shipping containers become a building block for infrastructure instead of shipment.

The future age of shipping containers will likely be looking to focus more on the re-use of shipping containers. While there are always shipping containers being manufactured, many are still operational and able to be used again.

The development of replacement parts and tools for shipping containers has allowed repairs to become more common. Many people are very concerned about the worrying climate crisis. Recycling existing containers may aid in the fight for sustainable business and save the environment.

ContainerCo

At ContainerCo, we pride ourselves on providing an extensive range of shipping containers for hire or purchase. Our range of 10ft, 20ft and 40ft containers can be used for various purposes, including shipment, storage or construction, to name a few. Featuring more than just containers in our product range, we also sell accessories and parts for shipping containers to ensure your container can be maintained and repaired after prolonged use.

Offering specialised containers along with dry standard variations, ContainerCo’s containers include refrigerated, dangerous goods, high-ball, open-top and side-opening options. As a fully-established shipping container company, we also have the facilities to modify purchased shipping containers. Our specialised team can assist you with altering containers into workspaces, cafes, tiny homes or construction site offices.

We can serve Kiwis across the country with facilities operating in Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Wellington and Waikato. So next time you require a shipping container, make sure to hire or buy yours at ContainerCo today!