The History of the Shipping Container: How a Metal Box Transformed Global Logistics
It’s not that long ago that there were no shipping containers. Until the invention of the container transporting goods was a slow, labour-intensive, and expensive process. Items were loaded and unloaded manually and in different packagings such as small boxes, bags or even loose without any packaging at all. Obviously, this way of working took a lot of time, and goods were often damaged or lost. But then, one day in the mid-1950s, everything changed!
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The Invention and Early Days of the Shipping Container
When American businessman Malcolm McLean introduced his invention, the shipping container, in 1956 at first nobody thought that the metal box was going to turn the entire logistics industry upside down. While technically McLean wasn’t the inventor of the container, with the US military developing the Container Express (short: Conex) system during the Korean war, he was the first to commercialize a standardized steel box that could be easily transferred between ships, trucks, and trains without being opened or modified to fit the respective vehicle.
Another huge advantage was that planning and stowing on the vessel was much easier because the containers could be stacked on top of each other perfectly. This simple idea made shipping faster, safer, and much cheaper. McLean’s innovation also led to the first container ship, the Ideal X – a converted tanker ship - which carried 58 containers from New Jersey to Texas.
The first shipping container actually wasn’t the 20 Feet unit we know today. In fact, it was 35’ long which was the standard size of an American truck – some other early versions were also 33’ and 24’ units. It was only in the late 1960s that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established the common standard units of 20’ and 40’ in the norm ISO 668.
Growth and Global Adoption of the Standardized Container
As already mentioned, not everyone was a fan of the new standardized boxes. Especially dock workers’ associations were against the containers at first because it meant that their jobs were no longer needed. But during the 1960s, more and more international trade companies saw the benefits of containerization – and opportunities for new jobs. Standard container sizes were agreed upon, making it easier for countries around the world to use them while also making workflows and operations smoother and more efficient.
Apart from the commercial stakeholders, ports also began building specialized terminals for containers and adapting their ways of working to the new development. Port Elizabeth in Newark is considered as the first “real” container port as it was there, where processes were adapted to cater to the metal box. At the same time, vessels had to undergo drastic changes. While the Ideal X was a converted tanker, proper container carrying vessels had to be built. By the 1980s, container shipping had already spread worldwide, greatly reducing the cost of transporting goods and container ports were found in 90% of the world.
Key Innovations in Container Technology
Since then, a lot has changed. Not only can modern container vessels carry more than 24,000 TEUs but the variety of available containers and technologies has greatly changed to adapt to individual cargo needs. That’s why we have a variety of different container types today such as:
- Refrigerated Containers (Reefers): These containers were introduced to transport perishable goods like food and medicine. They have built-in cooling systems to keep items fresh during long journeys. The first Reefer container was introduced into the market in 1966 and was part of the first fully containerized transatlantic journey.
- High Cube Containers: High Cubes are similar to standard containers but – you might have guessed - higher by a couple inches, allowing more goods to be stored in the same footprint. The first High Cubes were used in the 1970s when companies sought out a simple fix to maximize space on the vessels.
- Tank Containers: Today, Tank Containers are widely used to transport liquids and gases. The first introductions into the market happened during the 1960s but without big success mainly because of safety concerns due to insufficient material standards. Thus, the first globally successful tanks were only introduced about 10 years later in the 1970s.
- Flat Rack Containers: Technically, flat racks aren’t really containers as they mainly are a platform with collapsible side panels. They were also introduced during the 1970s when shipping was also considered for the transport of irregularly shaped or overly heavy and oddly sized cargo.
The Future: Smart Containers and Even More Shipped Cargo
As with almost every sector around the globe, technology also improves container shipping. Today, smart containers are equipped with sensors, GPS, and communication systems to provide real-time data on temperature, location, humidity, and security. The use of smart containers helps businesses and supply chain stakeholders to track their goods, reduce losses, and improve efficiency.
Either way: The shipping container is one of the most important inventions in modern trade and changed the way goods move around the world, making shipping faster, safer, and cheaper. Innovations like refrigerated and smart containers continue to improve the industry, ensuring that global trade remains efficient and reliable. The future of shipping looks bright as technology continues to evolve.
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