The intermodal shipping container is a large steel box created to transport goods by train, truck, or ship for the past 50 years. The pioneer of this revolution is a man named Malcom McLean who began his interest in transportation with his own trucking company (McLean Trucking) which he grew into one of the largest in the nation. From there, in 1956, he developed the steel container, which replaced the previous loading and unloading method known as the “Break Bulk Method.” The Break Bulk method was a much less efficient method in which all goods were loaded individually using bags, boxes, drums, crates or barrels instead of large unified containers. This method is certainly much more time-consuming and risky than increasing theft or damage. These containers are only available in a few standard sizes (10', 20', and 40'), although there are many different types. Dry storage containers are very common and are used for dry goods without the need for temperature control. Flat rack containers are foldable containers, with or without walls, suitable for heavy loads or those that need to be unloaded from different sides. Open containers are just that as they have removable roofs for products that may need to be dumped from the top of the container, often used with conveying machinery. Tunnel bins have doors on each end for easy access to unload material from either side. Open side storage containers have doors on the sides of the container to carry much larger products. Insulated or thermal containers maintain warm temperatures for certain products. The tank containers are used for liquids and are made with a steel frame to protect the tank in...... middle of paper ...... and from 10 to 14.5 thousand TEU, and can only sail in the Panama Canal after the series of expansions received. Finally, the ultra-large container ship class can hold up to 14,500 TEUs. The largest in the world right now is owned by the Danish shipping company Maersk and can hold 18,270 twenty-foot equivalent containers. (Maersk) Some ships are equipped with their own gantry cranes, but most rely on ports to have them available, as they are at less risk of damage in port than at sea. Plus, they save you money on fuel without adding weight and, overall, require less maintenance. The cranes can support over 10 tonnes of weight and are capable of moving a container on or off the ship in around three minutes. Land-based gantry cranes increased efficiency over boat cranes and represented another huge step forward in increasing overall efficiency.