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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.

Cargo Containers, Used and New Containers, Buy Cargo Containers

3 Ways You Can Re-purpose A Shipping Container In Kentucky

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A cargo shipping container can be used for a variety of purposes besides transportation. Here are a few ways re-purposed cargo containers are used around the world and in Kentucky.

3 Ways You Can Re-purpose Shipping Containers In Kentucky

Living Spaces

People have been making residences out of shipping containers for years. Homes, apartments, and dorms are all creations that you can build or purchase from companies that convert containers. These residences aren’t just mobile and compact. They can have as many features as you want, including full plumbing, bathrooms, air conditioning, heat, rooftops, porches, and more.

Here in Kentucky, there have been many notable shipping container home projects in the past several years. In 2014, Habitat for Humanity started work on one of the first shipping container homes in Kentucky near Elizabethtown.

Plus, back in 2016, there were plans to build a series of container homes in the Schnitzelburg neighborhood in Louisville (the plans were later scrapped, though). You can even stay in a shipping container cabin in Slade near the Red River Gorge through Airbnb.

Restaurants and Office Spaces

In addition, restaurant and other business owners have re-purposed shipping containers for use. Worldwide, there are pop-up shops in London, England and a container city in Cholula, Mexico, just to name two instances.

In Louisville, a few examples have also sprung up recently. Copper & Kings, a brandy distillery in the Butchertown neighborhood, has used several shipping containers for a boutique and visitor’s center. Plus, Royal’s Chicken’s location in Nulu has shipping containers outside for seating.

Most recently, the initial building for a project called Opportunity Corner in Russell has begun to take form in Louisville. The project will provide office spaces to help grow a self-sustaining space for entrepreneurs and other community members. This project follows in a tradition of using mobile offices as workplaces. Construction professionals have long used storage container offices on-site. They provide the advantage of mobility, sturdiness, and flexible work and storage space.

Shipping Container Farming

Lastly, farmers have used shipping containers to produce food. There are a growing number of companies that make shipping containers for agricultural work. Farmers can grow everything from herbs to leafy greens for industries like nutrition and fragrance.

These container farms offer a few key benefits for farmers. They are readily available, compact, cheap up front, and easy to transport. Many farmers are excited about container farms and see them as a way to produce fresh and local food more readily. However, there are some challenges as well. For one, the environment within the containers can be hard to control. In addition, a container that is too small for the number of farm workers may be difficult to move around in. Plus, overhead can become expensive after the initial container build.

It can certainly take a lot of work and money to make a shipping container a living space or business location. But with the right investment, they have the potential to be a sustainable solution. One thing is for sure: interest in re-purposing these containers has increased over the past few years and shows no sign of stopping.

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

What To Expect When Buying A Shipping Container For Sale in Louisville Kentucky

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Shopping for a New or Used Shipping Container in Louisville?

Here’s an overview of what happens when you buy a shipping container from Moon Trailer Leasing.

Shipping Containers for Sale in Louisville KY

Moon Trailer Leasing is headquartered in Louisville Kentucky and has been selling used and new shipping containers in Louisville since the 1990s.

Moon Trailer Leasing has been buying and selling new and used shipping containers in Louisville Kentucky since the early 1990s. Over the years, we’ve built up a large inventory and have gained access to some of the best new and used containers for sale in the region. Our inventory includes commercial quality shipping containers designed for all types of yard storage. We also have mobile office container units for rent and for sale.

All of our storage freight units meet ISO standards and are clean, dry and secure. Our selection of shipping containers for sale in Louisville Kentucky ranges from brand new shipping containers, to one time use, to lower priced used containers with a varying amount of wear and tear.

When you are shopping for shipping containers, we’ll be interested in knowing what kind of containers you need. Are you shopping for a new shipping container or will a used container meet your needs?

We will also want to know more about what size and style conex box you are seeking. Are you looking for 20 foot containers or 40 foot containers? Do you need swing doors on one end or both ends? Do you want a hi-cube container or a standard size? Are you looking for a ground level container or dock level? We’ll be interested in your answers to all of these questions so that we can provide you with detailed information about our inventory and pricing.

Your answer to the type of container that you are shopping for including new vs. used and the size and/or style may in part be based on what you are storing in your container. Our experienced team can help guide you if you are unsure or if you have any questions about the different types of containers available on the market.

Our team will also be interested in knowing whether you want to rent a shipping container or whether you would like to buy one.

Another common question that we ask our customers involves timing. When do you need your shipping container by? Will it be picked up at our location or will we deliver it to you? If you need your container 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 shipping container pick up and deliver including same day local delivery in some situations.

Our extensive inventory of shipping containers is constantly changing since we are always selling and renting shipping containers and acquiring new ones. Once we understand the type of shipping container you need in Louisville, Kentucky, 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 and it is very important to us that you are 100% satisfied with the shipping containers that you rent or buy from us.