Did you know that 80% of all goods are currently carried by sea? If you’re involved in the shipping business, then you know that shipping containers are vital for transporting anything by water.
Oftentimes these containers contain hundreds of thousands or even millions worth of material. So why is that such little thought goes toward the condition of shipping container floors?
The reality is that the wrong type of flooring in a container can potentially damage the things you’re transporting. In this article, we’ll dive into the real reason why shipping container flooring matters. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Are Shipping Containers and Their Floors Made Of?
Before we get into the importance of shipping container floors it’s important that we first understand what they’re made of. Let’s start with the shipping containers themselves.
Most containers are made out of steel that’s sourced from China. Specifically, it’s made from special COR-TEN steel that’s made of weather-resistant materials. At the base of these containers are steel beams that connect horizontally to the sidewall.
These beams are used to hold the flooring material. Most containers use a type of marine plywood. This type of flooring is ideal because it’s extremely tough and can take repeated abuse during the shipping process.
Best of all, if it’s damaged then you can afford to replace it at the nearest repair depot.
What Types of Material Can Be Used On Shipping Container Floors?
As we mentioned, shipping container floors are commonly made with marine plywood. This type of wood comes from tropical hardwood trees like Keruing or Apitong.
The only problem with this type of material is that it attracts all sorts of pests. The worst types of pests, insects, and rats are so attracted to the wood that they often hitch a ride on boats to feed off the stuff.
As such, it’s important that whatever wood you use on your container floors is treated with both insecticide and fungicide. Here are some popular types of insecticides used on container floors:
- Aldrin
- Dieldrin
- Chlordane
- Lindane
However, the insecticide you apply to wood mustn’t contaminate whatever product you’re transporting. One solution is by sealing these chemicals using an epoxy coating.
What Can You Transport On a Shipping Container Floor?
As long as it fits you can transport almost any cargo goods on a shipping container floor. This includes things like refrigerated items, heavy equipment, and bulk items.
The only thing that you can’t transport on shipping container floors is a contaminated or hazardous material. Otherwise, this material can seep into the floor and make it unsafe. As such, they require specialized shipping containers.
Why Is the Condition of Shipping Container Floors So Important?
For one thing, you want to get the most life out of shipping floor containers. That means fewer unnecessary expenses on replacement wood.
So, if you make sure that you get approved, quality flooring material, then you can expect your floors to withstand heavy cargos for between fifteen and twenty years.
However, if you choose poor quality wood, then your floors will likely only last a few years if that. As we mentioned, proper container floors also come with pesticide chemicals to keep away pests.
This ensures that whatever you’re shipping isn’t contaminated by things like rats or insects. If you aren’t careful, then you can lose a whole supply of perishable goods to pests.
Finally, shipping floors are important because they protect your cargo. Maritime shipping can be a bumpy ride, to say the least. As such, it’s important to have floors that are up-to-date in terms of their conditions. Otherwise, you could potentially damage the heavy cargo.
When Do You Need to Replace Shipping Container Floors?
There is no easy answer to the question, When should you replace your shipping container floors? This is because a variety of factors determine when you should replace your flooring. Here are some considerations that should go into the decisions:
- What are the typical loads placed on the container?
- How many different ocean trade routes have the shipping container been on?
- What is the average length of the journey that the shipping container goes on?
The answer to these questions will determine when the shipping containers require either major or minor repair. Most of the time, you can expect shipping box floors to last around ten years.
The good news is that most container yards have the equipment to repair your container floor. However, there will come a time when it’s no longer feasible or realistic to replace the container floor. When this occurs it’s time to buy a new shipping container.
When Should You Consider Buying a Different Shipping Container
At some point, it doesn’t matter how often you replace your container floors. Your shipping container will be too damaged to be used. This can occur when the floor reams become damaged.
It can also occur if it is external to the container. Huge bumps and compromised openings are two big signs that it’s time to buy a new container instead of new floors.
The good news is that there are tons of retailers offering a great Conex box for sale. Best of all you can either purchase them new or old. That way, if you’re on a budget, then you can save some money.
Want More Content? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you learn why the condition of shipping container floors is important to consider when transporting your goods. If your shipping container fails, then you stand to lose a lot of money replacing your cargo.
As such, it’s worth it to take the time to ensure that your container floors are strong enough to handle your transport. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
