Difference between Cargo Containers and Portable Storage Containers | LOTUS Containers

Since the invention of shipping boxes, the logistics industry has come up with a lot of different names for its products like shipping containers, cargo containers, conex, and portable storage containers. Shippers and even carrier companies are often seen bewildered with their different types. Many claims that there is no such difference between them and most of these terms are used as synonyms for each other.

Well, to understand this, you need to travel back to history. Prior to the year 1940, there was no such existence of any containers. It was during the Korean and Vietnam war when standard size steel boxes known as CONEX box were developed with an intent to transport and store supply materials to soldiers at borders. It was then further reinvented by Malcolm McLean, an American transportation entrepreneur and widely started getting used for the transportation of heavy and large size goods from one location to another covering both domestic and international markets.

From where did the box get its name- cargo containers?

There is no such point to ponder about as it is not a different breed. The only reason associated with this name is that the box is loaded with cargo and hence people started using the name as synonyms.

One might have also come up with the term intermodal containers- This name applies to the containers that can be used in intermodal transportation. This means it can be transported over road, rail, and sea.

One might have also come across the term ‘ISO Containers’ and again this is not a different breed rather it’s a property that sets a general size steel box containers apart from a standard-sized steel box. It complies with the dimension and features specified by the International Organization for standardization.
So now we know that conex, cargo, ISO and intermodal are just used as synonyms. The truly existing difference is between cargo and portable storage containers.

What are cargo containers?

Cargo containers also are known as shipping containers is a large massive size steel box manufactured from high quality corrugated steel. They come in different types and sizes to serve a different purpose. The most common sizes are 20’, 40’ 40 High Cube and 45’ High Cube to load tons of goods to be transported over long distances. They are manufactured in such a way that they can withstand worse climatic conditions and yet serve 12-15 years in the shipping industry. At any point in its life, it can be retired and can be used for various other purposes like- building materials or for storage purposes as storage containers.

What are portable storage containers?

Unlike shipping boxes, portable storage containers limit itself in terms of dimension. They come in different dimensions according to the specification of goods to be stored in them and are a little smaller in size from shipping containers. These are generally used to ship things that are later stored in the same. Manufactured from light-weighted material like aluminum they do not provide much strength and durability to be transported over long distances confronting extreme weather. They do not have doors like shipping boxes. Rather they have doors that roll up like that of a shop or garage allowing easier access to loading and unloading of goods. The estimated life span up to which they serve the companies or individuals is 5 to 10 years.

Conclusion

Now when you have a good knowledge of all types and hope that you might have understood the difference between portable storage and shipping containers, it’s going to be easy for you to decide which one will fulfill your needs. You can easily buy, rent or lease them from our diversely spread LOTUS Containers platform at a much reasonable rate.