Shipping Container Transportation & Handling

When looking to buy shipping containers, one of the most important aspects to take into consideration is the location of the container seller. That's because you'll have to transport the containers to your location and you will want them to be as close as possible to you to save on transport costs. Once you have bought the containers you'll need to move them to their new location. Many of the companies that sell new or used cargo containers offer this service. If they don't you can easily find a transportation company that will deliver the containers to your location.

Here is a list of things to consider when you want to transport a shipping container:

• Neighbors: If you're putting containers on property in a neighborhood or near other structures, it is a good idea to talk to your neighbors beforehand to address any concerns;
• Regulations: Check the regulations of your local building department. In some cases containers are considered temporary structures and that can make permitting easier, but in any case you should always obtain all necessary approvals before moving the containers to your property;
• Location: In most cases the delivery of a cargo container is done with a semi tractor-trailer that has the ability to slide off the bed of the trailer. If the location where you want to place the container is at the end of an easily accessible road, you should not have problems. Because the trailer is large, long and heavy, most drivers will not drive off of a road or paved surface.
  
  If your location is any distance from a road or driveway, it is best to discuss this first with the company that is delivering your containers. You must take into consideration the amount of moisture in the ground, slope and the driver's experience level.

• Surface: The cargo container has a base with 4 corners. It is designed to be supported at each of these corners. Although it's possible to put the container directly on the ground, it's best to provide some suitable stability to keep the container level with adequate drainage. Also this is important because an uneven site can cause the doors to bind. So think about something to support their ends: concrete footing, railroad ties, asphalt or a bed of gravel;
• Space: As we said, the tractor-trailer has the ability to slide off the bed of the trailer. Because of this, you need to have more than 80 feet of space in front of the location where the cargo container is to be landed and 40 feet in case the delivering company is using a 2 axle bobtail, for the delivery of a 20' container.
  
  Also, in the case of a slide off trailer, make sure you have enough overhead clearance at the location where the truck will deliver the shipping container. Check the overhead wires especially!

Click here if you are interested in shipping container tracking and here for information about tracking containers in China.