container

Glossary : Shipping Terms : CONTAINER

Standard-sized rectangular steel box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International container shipping is done utilizing shipping containers that are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships' holds. Shipping containers are transported on public roads atop a container chassis towed by a tractor. Domestic cargo containers, up to 53 feet long and of lighter construction, are designed for rail and highway use only.