Port shipping container shortage covid pandemic

Global Shipping Container Shortage: Everything You Need to Know

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Did you know that there’s an international shortage of shipping containers? While this may not seem like such a big deal, it has actually affected every aspect of our lives!

Shipping containers are at the heart of the global economy, transporting billions of dollars’ worth of consumer goods, apparel, materials, manufacturing parts, and countless other products between countries and continents every day. Normally, when even one aspect of the supply chain is waylaid, the consequences are substantial. So, when there is a global pandemic, the results are disastrous!

How The Container Shortage Happened

In the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns and government-imposed limits halted the production of many goods, reducing the intricate flow of exports and imports between nations. Consumer demand also plummeted, as people stopped going out to shop and stimulate the economy. This all caused less shipping containers and cargo ships to be necessary. So, the unneeded containers were sent to inland depots and ports, stacked up by the thousands.

Months later, as restrictions began to lift, the need for shipping containers began to increase in some places more than others. Countries with less restrictions needed more shipping containers, while countries with tight lockdowns needed few. This disparity caused an imbalance of the distribution of shipping containers—that is to say, they’re all in the wrong spots.

Some ports are overwhelmed and crowded with containers, struggling to load and unload fast enough. In Los Angeles, there was a reported “parking lot” of cargo ships waiting to unload for weeks. In China, a shut-down port caused the delay of over 350,000 containers for two months. Depending on the product, shipping delays can be anywhere from days to months. It’s a domino effect: delays stack on delays, as backlog increases, demand increases, and prices spike. With all this compounding disarray, there’s no end in sight; the global shipping container shortage is likely to last into 2022.

How Does This Affect Us?

As consumers, we aren’t directly involved in the day-to-day affairs of international shipping. However, we will certainly bear some of the economic strain of the crisis. Consumer goods, from cereal to t-shirts, are facing inflated prices. Companies cannot afford to pay for the growing expenses of shipping containers, and are forced to place some of the cost on us. While price increases for many products are negligible, they add up.

In turn, there’s growing speculation around the impact on the upcoming holiday season. As CEO of the large marine consulting firm Sea Intelligence ApS Alan Murphy stated, “It’s a crisis of excessively high demand and a severe shortage of supply of vessel space and empty containers… don’t be surprised if your Christmas shopping list comes out short.” Maybe it’s time to begin your holiday shopping, right now!

Local Shipping Container Surplus

Here at Moon Trailer Leasing, we’re pleased to report that we have had no issues with shipping container shortages! As one of Kentucky’s largest full-service leasing companies, Moon is proud to rent and sell 20ft and 40ft storage containers. Locally-owned and operated, we offer affordable, fast service and delivery. Call 502-776-2199 to get started today!

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The Benefits of Renting a Storage Trailer

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Storage trailers are flexible, useful units that can help your business. Storage Trailer rentals are the perfect solution for seasonal overstock or for unexpected increases in production that requires an immediate need for extra storage capacity. Whether your requirements are short or long term, we can deliver storage trailers to your location on short notice.

Here’s our overview of the benefits of renting a storage trailer.

Flexible Storage Trailer Terms and Sizes

Did you know you can rent storage trailers both short and long-term? Whether your extra storage requirements are short or long term, our storage trailers will enable you to meet seasonal requirements or an unexpected increase in demand quickly.

We offer 28 ft, 40 ft, 45 ft, 48 ft and 53 ft trailers for rent. Storage trailers are loading dock accessible and are equipped with either swing doors or roll-up doors. Equipped with durable hardwood floors, our storage trailer rentals are pallet-jack and forklift accessible.

Useful for Different Situations

You can actually use a storage trailer as an extension for warehousing. Our rental trailers or storage vans are a cost-effective alternative to paying warehouse rent while providing instant extra square footage without disrupting product flow within your existing warehouse arrangement. Eliminate the need to transport product to and from another warehouse when storing excess inventory becomes necessary. Our semi-trailers for rent provide an instant on-site warehouse environment that is dry, clean and secure.

Working With Us is Easy

When it comes to the logistics of getting your trailer, we make it easy for you. We typically need to know the following: When do you need your trailer by? Will it be picked up at our location or will we deliver it to you? If you need your trailer delivered, what is the exact address that we will be bringing it to? We are able to accommodate a variety of needs in terms of trailer pick up and deliver including same day local delivery in some situations.

Our extensive inventory of trailers is constantly changing since we are always selling and renting units and acquiring new ones. Once we understand the type of trailer you need in we’ll let you know what we have in stock. We’ll invite you to our storage yard so that you have a chance to inspect our inventory in person and see exactly what you are buying. We operate on long term business relationships with our customers. It is very important to us that you are 100% satisfied with the shipping containers that you rent or buy from us.

If you are interested in learning more about renting storage containers from Moon Trailer Leasing, please contact us today by phone at 502-776-2199 or by email. Locally-owned and operated, Moon Trailer Leasing has offices in Louisville, Kentucky and Lexington, Kentucky. Moon Trailer Leasing has new and used trailers for customers throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Shipping Containers Southern Indiana

Conex Boxes at Moon Trailer Leasing

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Moon Trailer Leasing offers quality Conex boxes for rent and sale. These versatile shipping containers can handle a wide array of transportation, shipping, and cargo needs in a globalized context. Here’s why you should consider renting or buying a Conex box with Moon. 

Versatility

The Conex box, also referred to as a shipping container or ocean freight container, is at the heart of modern industry all around the world. These steel containers are designed to be safe, secure, and reliable for all kinds of freight. In fact, they are so common that today there are an estimated 30 million or more of these containers in use around the world.

One key aspect of their versatility is the variety of sizes there are available. Here at Moon, we offer both 20 and 40 foot containers for rent and sale. Depending on the scale of shipping in your business, you may prefer one of these two sizes. 

Quality Steel That Meets Regulations

Moon’s Conex boxes are all ISO-approved. The ISO, or International Organization for Standardization, is an organization that issues standards around industrial practices. ISO guidelines around Conex boxes include safety and strength specifications to ensure you are getting a quality Conex box. This also ensures containers are weatherproof and tamperproof, keeping goods safe as they travel across the world to consumers. Our ISO-approved Conex boxes have the durability, strong steel components, and stackability you need to ensure your products are transported safely and efficiently. 

Features That Increase Efficiency

Those efficiency-focused features play a key role in your success in the industry. For example, Moon’s Conex boxes come with secured lock boxes to increase security (in most units). Our Conex boxes also have swinging doors on both the front and back of each unit, making loading and unloading easier. They are also accessible by forklift, meaning you can move units around quickly. All of these features work together to give you the flexibility you need to meet challenges in the day-to-day operations of your business. 

Conex Boxes for Every Situation

Here at Moon, we are proud to offer a wide selection of Conex boxes that vary in use and grade. Our units come in different colors, conditions, sizes, and grades. We price these units fairly depending on all of these factors. This means that we have something for everyone, depending on what you are looking for and what your budget is. From well-used to like new, and from high grade to lower grade, we offer this selection so that you always have options when you work with us. We will work with you to determine the best unit for your unique situation. 

If you are interested in learning more about purchasing used Conex boxes from Moon Trailer Leasing, please contact us today by phone at 502-776-2199 or by email. Locally-owned and operated, Moon Trailer Leasing has offices in Louisville, Kentucky and Lexington, Kentucky. Moon Trailer Leasing has sold new and used Conex boxes to customers throughout Kentucky and Southern, Indiana for over two decades.

Shipping Containers For Rent and For Sale at Moon Trailer Leasing

Decarbonization in the Shipping Industry

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There are some major changes underway in the shipping industry. Recently, several major organizations in the industry committed to decarbonization by 2030. Today on the blog we’ll look at the significance of this commitment. 

Support for $5 Billion Research Fund

Back on March 10, 2021, representatives from all over the industry came together to announce something big. They were supporting a proposed $5 billion fund to develop and support decarbonization in the industry. Eight governments backed this proposal and submitted it to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for review. This is significant for several reasons. 

For one, without coordinated international efforts like this, decarbonization is simply a pipe dream. It is an initiative that requires international cooperation. So, with eight countries (Nigeria, Switzerland, Singapore, Greece, Georgia, Liberia, Malta, and Japan) and several large organizations (BIMCO and IMCA to name two) backing the proposal, this signals true cross-national commitment. Additionally, the funding proposal itself is targeted with very particular goals to drive change. It would create a research and development board which would fund R&D efforts across the globe, including in developing countries. 

This is a key commitment, as currently there aren’t the necessary technologies to decarbonize the industry at scale. So, with this plan in place, the foundation is in place for accelerated change. 

Decarbonization: A UN Initiative

This proposal is actually in response to an initiative from the United Nations. Back in 2018, UN delegates associated with the IMO agreed to reduce total emissions by 50% (from levels in 2008) by 2050. The recent proposal is a sign of additional commitment to specific action steps to help meet this goal. By putting funding behind research and development for emerging technologies, the industry will be able to create a decarbonized future that can reduce environmental impact and also create sustainable practices.

Potential Solutions: Ammonia and More

Creating these low- and no-carbon solutions will be a challenge. However, there are already some ideas about how this might develop. One such solution is ammonia. Ammonia is a fuel source that doesn’t emit any carbon when it’s burned. Also, it can be made fairly simply with renewable electricity, air, and water, and it can be stored much more easily than other fuel sources like hydrogen. Plus, it boasts an extremely high energy density, making it an ideal fuel source. 

However, there aren’t currently any shipping vessels with the equipment to burn ammonia for fuel. Plus, nobody is creating ammonia in a climate-friendly way at scale currently. So, these are two areas to be on the lookout for over the next several years. It’s likely that some of the projects from the $5 billion research and development fund will focus on green ammonia production and creating ammonia-fueled ships. There are some other options innovators are considering as well. For example, hydrogen could be a potential fuel source going forward. Additionally, innovative fuel cells and wind-harnessing technologies are in the works. 

One thing is for certain: there’s a revolution in the shipping industry to move towards greener, more sustainable practices. This is an exciting and necessary step as we try to protect the environment while serving consumer and business needs across the globe. 

Moon Trailer Leasing offers mobile offices to companies and organizations across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. We have offices of all sizes for rent and sale. Call 502-776-2199 for a fast and free quote.

Container for Sale, Conex Boxes, Used and New Shipping Containers

Shipping Container Maintenance

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If you rent or own shipping containers, you know they are a valuable asset that enables your business to run smoothly. Maintaining shipping containers is essential- a small amount of prevention and monitoring can help you avoid costly issues. Here’s our guide to shipping container maintenance!

Look Out for Rust and Holes

Shipping containers go through a lot when they travel. They are exposed to different temperatures, weather conditions, and more. It’s only natural that they wear over time. Make sure you regularly assess your containers to keep an eye on their condition. Be on the lookout for signs of trouble like rust, holes, pests, and other kinds of deterioration. Shipping containers are made of steel and wood, and these issues can spell trouble.

If you do see any rust, you can use a rust remover to address it. If there are any holes that have worn through, you may be able to simply seal them with an industrial sealant. When a hole is big enough, though, you may need to weld over it with more steel to shore up the integrity of the container. Be on the lookout for pests as well- you may need to treat your containers for extermination. There are several international organizations providing guidelines here that can be helpful.

Cleaning is Key for Shipping Container Maintenance

Along with these issues, you should regularly check your containers for cleanliness. How strict you need to be with this really depends on what you store or ship in your containers. If you have containers hauling food, medical supplies, or other sensitive goods, you’ll need to be extra careful. Additionally, if you have been hauling any hazardous chemicals or materials, be very cautious and follow proper procedures to clean those containers.

In general, there are a few cleaning steps you can take. First, it’s always good to sweep out your containers whenever you have an opportunity between usages. You’ll get at a lot of the dirt, dust, and other debris that can build up. Plus, it’ll help you out with identifying any areas for repair (like we talked about already).

You can then use water to wash out the interiors of containers. You can either use a hose, a power washer, or some other method. Start with the roof first, and then work your way down. Washing containers with water will get at some of the gunk and grime that a simple sweep won’t account for. You can also look into some cleaning solvents that are safe to use with steel. Again, take into consideration what you have been hauling. Some hazardous materials can leave waste that will react with water or other chemicals, so you may need to pursue another cleaning method.

Drying and Other Final Steps

If you have used water and/or other chemicals to clean out your containers, make sure you let them dry out afterwards. This is a key way to prevent rust formation. Once dry, your containers are ready for further maintenance and repairs. You can repaint, weld, and further fit your containers as needed from here.

Moon Trailer Leasing offers mobile offices to companies and organizations across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. We have offices of all sizes for rent and sale. Call 502-776-2199 for a fast and free quote.

Used and New Shipping Containers

How Railcars are Designed to Haul Shipping Containers

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Rail freight transport is a huge industry. Railways help businesses haul cargo of all types, from cars to raw materials and steel frames. There are several types of rail car, each designed for a particular purpose. Some of these specifically haul containers. Let’s take a look at some of the main railcars for containers.

Overview of Rail Transport

For context, here’s a quick summary of rail freight transport. Any use of railroads for commercial cargo purposes (not transportation) is rail freight transport. Locomotives haul a series of linked freight cars along railway infrastructure as part of the supply chain. They may move goods partially or fully between shippers and destinations. There are numerous freight car types for different goods and materials. Some of these are specifically focused on containers, like Moon’s storage containers. Containerization has become an integral part of rail freight transport, just like with all other aspects of the global supply chain today. Below, we will review two of the most common car types used for containers.

Conventional Intermodal Railcars

One of the common railcar types used for shipping containers is the conventional intermodal railcar. These are articulated (meaning they share wheels between cars) flat railcars that are great for trailers and containers. They haul shipping containers that can’t stack, usually due to route height restrictions. The articulated feature helps these railcars reduce slack between cars. Slack action is basically how much movement one car has before its motion affects an adjoined car. By reducing slack, the ride quality is better and makes for a less bumpy trip for fragile cargo. Sizing on these railcars can vary, from around 50 feet to over 80 feet in length.

Double Stack Intermodal Railcars: Maximum Efficiency for Containers

Double stack intermodal railcars are similar to conventional intermodal railcars in a few ways. They are also articulated to help improve ride quality for fragile cargo, and are flat. However, these railcars have the ability to haul stacked shipping containers. They can carry a second shipping container on top of the first. This maximizes efficiency and allows for a greater amount of cargo transportation. They also utilize wells often times. Wells reduce the height of stacked containers and lower the center of gravity. This both avoids problems with height restrictions along routes and creates more stability. Wells also improve security for containers. The walls created by the well surround the bottom container and make it impossible to open the container door while it is on the railcar.

There is a high degree of size customization on these railcars, due to their specialization for shipping container transportation. As such, sizes vary from 40 feet to 50 feet and more for containers of all sizes, from 20 foot to 40 and 50 foot containers and larger.

Moon Trailer Leasing offers mobile offices to companies and organizations across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. We have offices of all sizes for rent and sale. Call 502-776-2199 for a fast and free quote.

Cargo Shipping Containers for Sale

Shipping Containers: A Brief History

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Shipping containers. They’re a ubiquitous part of our global economy. Most global consumer goods you own have a good chance of having been in a container at some point. Today’s supply chain, built around the shipping container, allows for an efficient distribution of goods worldwide. It hasn’t always been this way, though. In fact, the shipping container as we know it is only around 64 years old. Let’s take a look at the history of the shipping container.

1956: Malcolm McLean and the First Shipping Containers

1956 is an important year for the modern shipping container. This is when Malcolm McLean, owner of a large trucking company, launched the first voyage of a modern container. For decades, McLean had seen the inefficiency of transporting goods in non-standardized wooden crates during the operation of his company. He eventually purchased Pan Atlantic Tanker Company, a company with significant shipping assets, and experimented with ideas for standard shipping box designs. He eventually settled on the idea of a one-sized metal box. This design was sturdy, could be stacked, was easily transferred to trucks and trains for ground shipping, and was secure. In 1956, the ship Ideal X launched, becoming the first container ship to be used with modern containers.

Over the next several years, McLean worked to refine the shipping container design. Containers became fitted to interlock when stacking. He also implemented cranes at dock sites to speed up loading efficiency and safety. These innovations and others helped drive the popular use of container ships as viable methods of shipping.

1968: Modern Container Ships

1968 marks another important point in time for shipping containers. This is the year that the ISO imposed international standards for container dimensions and requirements. With this step, modern containers as we know them became widespread. This standard is relatively similar to standards for today, and is a key reason for mass shipping as we know it. With international standards in place, companies could maximize efficiency in the supply chain. As a result, the cargo shipping industry boomed through the 1970s and 1980s. This boom impacted other transportation modes in the chain too- trucks, trains and planes that carried goods after shipping by sea were transformed to maximize efficiency as well. With standards across multiple modes of transport, containers truly became the key to global shipping that they are today. By the end of the 20th century, shipping containers accounted for around 90% of all cargo globally.

Today and What’s Next

The start of the 21st century has seen continued technological innovations. Today, remote tracking systems are a core aspect of international shipping. Refrigerated shipping has become crucial for distributing fruit and vegetables around the globe, keeping goods cold for weeks at a time. Looking to the future, there are innovative ideas to utilize crewless container ships, blockchain technology, and further automatization to continue improving the industry.

Moon Trailer Leasing offers shipping containers to companies and organizations across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. We have containers both for rent and sale. Call 502-776-2199 today for a fast and free quote.

Metal Shipping Containers for Rent or for Sale

Shipping Containers: How They Are Made

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Everyone relies on shipping containers – they haul goods all around the world. Shipping containers are a reliable way to transport nearly anything. So how are they designed to handle all of this work?

There’s an array of steps involved, and quite a bit of manual labor. Here’s a look at how shipping containers are built. 

1. Make Wall Panels

First, huge steel sheets are methodically cut to 8×3 feet rectangles by machines. These rectangular sheets will form the wall panels of containers. The sheets are then sandblasted and primed to remove any contaminants. Next, they are corrugated, giving them the wave-like texture that makes them so distinctive. This both helps increase their strength and makes them easier to stack. Roof panels and floor braces are made separately. Wall panels are then welded together, and square tubing is welded to the tops of wall panels.

2. Assemble Floor Frame

Next, two long I-beams are laid parallel to each other and welded to a number shorter I-beams that go between them perpendicularly. This forms a box-like frame for the floor of the container. 

3. Make Shipping Container Doors and Corner Posts

Doors are up next. Corrugated steel is cut to the proper size and welded to steel tubing around its borders; this creates a door. Each container will get two doors. Corner posts are then welded to I-beams, making a door frame. The two doors are then welded to the frame. 

4. Assemble the Shipping Containers

With all of the pieces created, it’s then time to construct the container. First, a crane lifts the door and lowers it to the floor frame, where it is installed by welding. Then, a crane lifts and slots in the wall panels, which get welded to the door, floor frame, and back wall frame. Last, the roof panel is lifted to the top of the container and welded on to complete the container’s structure. 

5. Paint and Prime

With the structure completed, the next step is to start the finishing touches. Primer is sprayed all around and inside the shipping container to make the container hold paint better, and get a slim layer of extra protection. Then, workers spray paint over the primer once it has dried. Several layers of paint are added in this fashion.

6. Fit Flooring

Keep in mind that at this point, there’s still no floor, just a frame! So, the next step is to install plywood flooring. The flooring is varnished before installation to strengthen it and prevent insects or pests from occupying the wood. Next, six finished plywood panels are fit into each container. Finally, workers drill holes around the borders of the panes and then attach them to the floor frame with steel screws.  

7. Add Decals, Identification, Logos

Any company logos or decals can be added to the sides of containers at this point. Workers apply adhesive stickers with the required designs or text. Additionally, containers are given unique identification codes, which are labelled on the outside of the container. 

8. Door finishing, Testing and Waterproofing the Shipping Containers

Workers next install locking mechanisms on container doors. They also waterproof the doors by installing seals around door edges. Next, the bottom of the container is sprayed with waterproofing sealant. 

After this, workers perform a test to ensure containers are waterproof. Containers are sprayed with water and then rigorously inspected on the interior for any signs of leaks. 

Check out this video to see all of the steps in action!

Moon Trailer Leasing offers shipping containers to companies and organizations across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. We have containers both for rent and sale. Call 502-776-2199 today for a fast and free quote.