Container Alliance understands what it means to be “sustainable and green.” Since 2007, we’ve been in the business of reducing waste, transportation costs, energy expenditures and storage needs by reusing our shipping and storage containers for countless uses.

The nature of our business model, selling, leasing, and releasing storage containers and shipping containers, could be considered one of the newest and fastest growing sustainable businesses. Container Alliance is happy to help businesses, large and small, with logistics help and direction through our container management services featuring sustainable shipping containers. We work with some of the largest leasing companies and shipping lines to re-purpose the containers that are coming off lease as well as working with an individual who no longer has a use for the storage container or shipping container that they already own. We approach each situation with the same attitude and philosophy regardless of the size or situation.

Our companies’ philosophies for environmental responsibility can best be described with three words: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle. More details of our sustainable process are listed below.

Reduce Organic Material Consumption

Container Alliance’s containers or any ISO container for that matter can decrease the need for one-way packaging, as well as for straps, wooden pallets, and other moving materials that usually end up in landfills as the final step in their production process. Our reusable shipping containers reduce the unnecessary use of wood, trees, and the organic and inorganic materials used in packaging.

Reuse Storage And Shipping Containers

Each and every Container Alliance shipping & storage container is reusable for multiple customers’ benefits. When shipping containers make their way back to a Container Alliance Partner, we inspect, repair, clean, and store those same containers for the next client’s intended use. If they come back damaged beyond repair, these containers are sent to our recycling partners to ensure the reuse of the materials in a next generation of products.

We will buy back containers from not only leasing companies or shipping lines but from end users or small businesses. Contact Us today for a buyback estimate.

Recycle Storage And Shipping Containers

Container Alliance Partnerships is committed to keeping our shipping containers from ending up in landfills or littering the countryside. When we replace old shipping containers for our clients we offer a free service that includes transporting the container to the nearest recycling center where the containers are broken down into raw material to be re-used or recycled.

This service provides a huge savings of time and energy for our clients, so they don’t have worry about disposing of it themselves and insures that they will be disposed of properly in an environmentally sound facility. This is our way making our planet a more sustainable place.

Contact Container Alliance for Reusable Shipping Container Rental Pricing and Container Management services and information.

Give us a call at (888) 856-5084 for more information about our shipping container rental services and container management solutions, or click on this link to Get a quote now.

Mclean had invested millions of dollars in the steamship company Pan-Atlantic which he later coined Sea-Land. In the late 1950’s the modified oil tanker owned by Sea-Land “Ideal X” sailed from New Jersey to Houston carrying 58 of the newly devised steel boxes.  As the news of containerization started to spread, and the breadth of this new method of carrying cargo began to take shape, other companies started their own investments in the rising industry.  Matson, a USA shipping line, was investing in it’s own finances into the new modular steel boxes.  There was a slight dis-connect however: Mclean had been using 33 foot long containers due to being the limited length permitted for loading onto truck chassis at the time, and Matson chose a 24 foot container sighting weight concerns as they began to ship heavier cargo overseas.

The difference in the size of containers that companies were deciding to use became a problem.  The military were extremely interested in the freight containers, however in a time of war they needed consistency in the size of the boxes so they could anticipate the amount of cargo being shipped and received.  The government began to push for standardization, while Mclean’s vigilance in the same goal resulted in container designs that were ultimately awarded patent protection.Understanding that standardization was the only route to major industry growth, Mclean issued a royalty-free lease of the patent to the Industrial Organization for Standardization (ISO).  From this point on, it absolutely caught fire.  From the first Sea-Land ship carrying 58 boxes in 1958, to just a decade later when “SeaLand Industries” had 27,000 containers, 36 ships and access to over 30 port cities.

In 1969, a mechanical engineer named Richard Gibney coined the phrase “Twenty Foot Equivalent” (TEU), and to this day is the term used to describe containers.  20’ shipping containers that were 8’ wide and 8’6 high (1 TEU) and 40’ shipping containers of the same dimension (2 TEU), would become the standard.

Bear in mind, the advent of the shipping container was not the beginning of cargo transport.  A 1955 article in the Wall Street Journal stated, “ One of the nation’s oldest and sickest industries is embarking on a quiet attempt to cure some of it’s own ills.”  Little did they know that Malcolm Mclean’s patent of the containers corner-post design would not only cure the “ills”, it would revolutionize the entire industry.The standards that Mclean had developed, and eventually, the design of the corner-post was the groundbreaking factor that stood the test of time.  In simple terms the containers have not changed since the 1950s.  Materials have become much stronger, production capabilities and efficiency has increased.  Today the ISO Shipping Container is expected to last much longer then thirty or forty years ago for many reasons including materials, maintenance practice and better and more precise handling equipment.  The container industry is very proud to say that we have come together worldwide to create something that is standard. All the containers that are being transported these days are 20ft shipping Containers, 30ft shipping containers or 45ft shipping containers. With 40ft and 45ft Containers available in high cube dimension which is exactly 1ft higher then the typical 8’6” Standard Container.

It is difficult to find standardization in industry, especially things like units of measure; the ISO Shipping Container remains equal, worldwide.

Written By:  Gabe Crane Container Alliance Co.

If you are a retail business owner looking for additional on-site storage solutions for your seasonal inventory, have a construction site that has expensive tools and equipment that needs protection or you are a transportation & distribution company needing more storage at your docks.  Then a used shipping container might be the best business solution for your storage needs.

Storage and shipping containers are versatile and can have multiple applications, these are just a few of industries that can benefit from purchasing used shipping containers.  Sometimes for businesses it just makes more economic sense to purchase a used shipping container from a Container Alliance partner company for often half the cost of a new storage container. Buying a used intermodal container can cut thousands of dollars off your investment, and the technology and quality that are used in constructing cargo containers makes the shelf life of a used container last decades. So it is not always necessary to buy a brand new shipping or storage container. Container Alliance is the best resource to help you get the best unit at the best price. Learn how to save thousands of dollars on a “like new” used unit.

Shipping container architecture is a form of architecture using steel intermodal containers (shipping containers) as structural element, because of their inherent strength, wide availability and relatively low cost.

Factors that affect Used Shipping Container Prices and Costs

The cost for a used shipping container can vary and usually ranges between $1,000-$5,000, there are many aspects and factors that affect the price you will pay for one, including:

• Condition- a used shipping container that needs to be fixed or refurbished can go for as low as $1200 for a new 20′ Shipping Container, while a container that is considered  ”like new” will usually go for around $3000 for a new 20′ shipping container.
• Size- The larger ones like the, 40ft and 48 ft extra wide units often cost the most and are usually 20-30% more pricey than a standard 8×20 ft unit.
• Options- When purchasing a used container that has been modified with additional options such as refrigeration, vents,  door locking systems, or you need any other features installed, then you can expect to pay a premium.
• Delivery- Shipping companies range of delivery is usually around 200 miles distance, but for larger orders the company may travel further. Delivery fees can be priced into the purchase so it’s always a good idea to ask all these questions before you pull the trigger buying a container.  As you can imagine the further you are from a port location, the container will cost more money.  Transportation is expensive.
• Quantity- Making larger orders lowers your over costs significantly. if you are buying a bunch of used shipping containers, often storage container company suppliers will offer bulk discount rates so the cost per unit will be less.

Here are the Advantages of Buying Used Shipping Containers.    

Strength and durability

Shipping and storage containers are in many ways an ideal building material. They are designed to be tough and carry heavy loads and they can stacked in high columns. They are also built to last in harsh elements and environments – such as going on board oil tankers or coated with road salt while transported on roads. Due to their high strength capacities, containers are ideal for storing almost anything that can fit inside them.  Why do you think the military uses them so much?

Modular

Most shipping containers are made to ISO standard measurements and as such they come with modular elements that can be combined into bigger structures. This simplifies design, planning and transport of them. They are made to interlock for the ease of mobility during transportation, structural construction is completed by simply arranging them together on top of each other. The containers’ modular design makes other construction uses as simple as stacking more containers. They can be stacked up to 12 high when empty.

Transport

Already assembled modules can be transported by truck, ship or train, because they already conform to ISO standard shipping sizes.

Availability

Used shipping containers are often available in any state in the US in many, many markets.  The fact that ISO containers are available in so many locations make them a very affordable option for your storage needs.

Cost

Many used containers are available at a price that is much lower compared to a finished structure built by other labor-intensive means such as bricks and mortar buildings and modular spaces— which require larger and more expensive foundations. Storage container construction involves a lot less human labor.  Used shipping and storage containers usually only require simple modifications which can be purchased from major transport organizations, sometimes for as little as US $1,500 each. Even if you buy one that is brand new they don’t normally cost more than US $8000.

Tips to think about before Purchasing a Used Shipping Container:

• Find out if it is damaged at all?
• Ask if it has a watertight seal?
• Ask as many questions as possible.
• Compare prices and different unit sizes.
• Find out if the unit has a warranty, or if warranties are available for purchase.
• Find out if delivery fees are included in the price of the unit.
• Buy your container from the nearest Container Alliance represented partner company.

Conclusion:

If you have questions about the costs of purchasing a used shipping container, our professional account executives can help answer anything and make recommendations for what makes the most sense for businesses needs.  GET QUOTE NOW  

November 11, 2011  Harbor Marine Works is a family owned and operated full service Marine Yard located in Santa Barbara, CA.  The facility is situated in the Beautiful Santa Barbara Harbor, and serves in a number of vital roles as the only haul-out yard in all of Santa Barbara County.  As an important gateway destination to the Channel Islands and a harbor of safe refuge proximate to Point Conception, they support very active home ported, recreational, commercial, sport-fishing and agency fleets, as well as many coastwise cruising and transient vessels.  Their philosophy is quite simply, the very best service available at the very best price possible.  This philosophy means the world to people, when the next boatyard seems a world away.

Within the services they provide, there is an inherent amount of marine worthy storage needed in an area that is extremely exposed to the elements.  Essentially right on the sand!  Due to the exposure at their location, Harbor MarineWorks contacted Container Alliance, because some of their existing storage containers previously purchased were beginning to rust out, creating problems for their state of the art equipment and tools needed for the services they provide.  Container Alliance went to the location to see exactly what was needed to properly accommodate their storage needs.  The solution was two, 20’ One Trip Containers.  One Trip Shipping Containers are the best option for this type of location due to being newly manufactured, having solid hardwood floors, and can serve as the best possible unit in terms of portable storage with regards to being safe from the elements, absolutely wind and water tight, as well as structurally sound.  The new 20′ containers are built with COR-TEN Steel which is essentially the same material that has been used to repair bridges.   COR-TEN is considered a “weathering steel” due to it’s chemical composition, these steels exhibit increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion compared to other steels. This is because the steel forms a protective layer on its surface under the influence of the weather.  Container Alliance recommended this type of steel container for Harbor Marineworks due to their close proximity to the ocean and therefore Container Alliance is certain Harbor Marineworks has selected the perfect product for there container storage needs.

As a general mission, Container Alliance tries to provide excellent customer service and outstanding value when it comes to providing Shipping Containers for storage.  Being located in Santa Barbara County, we always take extra care, and try to take that extra step in our community to make sure that local businesses stay successful, and that we all stay supportive of each other.

Harbor MarineWorks is an institution when it comes to their long lasting reputation as the experts in marine vessel haul-out and repair.  Their high level of experience has served the area for years, and with decades of experience, they will be the go to facility for generations to come.  Container Alliance is honored to have a relationship with Harbor MarineWorks in helping them with their Portable Storage needs.

For More Information about Harbor Marine Works visit www.sbboatyard.com

Written by:  Gabe Crane, Container Alliance in collaboration with Harbor MarineWorks

In today’s world, technology is at its peak. It seems as if we can do everything on our phones or on our computers. Not only is it more convenient but it is also the goal to keep technology up to speed with our daily lives. Well, Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin were thinking exactly that, when they co-founded Lynda.com a web based business model to help busy professionals keep up to speed on their software skills.

Lynda.com helps the users master software whether it is Adobe Photoshop, Light room or countless other software applications. The Lynda.com software training involves an immense amount of video tutorials and other tools that will enhance the learning of most computer software. Lynda.com strives to be user friendly and a huge asset to the learning of many software and programs.

Lynda.com recently purchased a 40’ Super High Cube Container from Container Alliance, for added storage on their site in Carpinteria, CA. The container chosen is a 40’ shipping container that is 10’ 6” high.  In order to Access the container from the side they had Container Alliance install a 7ft roll up door on the side of the container.  The second modification to the 40′ shipping container was to paint the container a special color to match the new office and administration building.  The container was a great addition because it adds significantly more storage room in an economical way.  The container was placed in the parking lot at the lynda.com headquarters and is conveniently located right outside the main building. The container serves as great auxiliary storage. The benefit of adding the roll up door will ensure that fitting things of bigger size will roll in very effectively while not needing to access through the standard cargo door on one end of the 40′ storage container.  Lynda.com specializes in making things easier for their customers and so do we. We believe storage solutions should be economical, environmentally sound, and designed your way. Lynda.com picked the size of container and modifications they saw fit on the 40’ super high cube container, and we delivered. Thank you Lynda.com, we look forward to working with you again in the future.  We always enjoy working with local progressive companies in the Santa Barbara area.

For more information visit: lynda.com

About The Author: Alex Wilson,  Sales Representative at Container Alliance  http://www.ContainerAlliance.com

There is a wide range of cargo handled at the shipping line terminals. Depending on the size, weight category and destination. Automobiles are handled at many ports and are usually carried on specialized roll-on, roll-off ships. Break Bulk Cargo is typically material stacked on pallets and lifted into and out of the hold of a vessel by cranes on the dock or aboard the ship itself. The volume of break bulk cargo has declined dramatically worldwide as containerization has grown. A safe and secure way to secure break bulk and freight in containers is by using Dunnage Bags. Bulk Cargo, such as salt, oil, tallow, and scrap metal, is usually defined as commodities that are neither on pallets nor in containers. Bulk cargoes are not handled as individual pieces, the heavy-lift and project cargoes are. Alumina, grain, gypsum, logs and wood chips, for instance, are bulk cargoes. It all boils down to size and weight, when determining what can be transported in a Cargo Freight Container.

A Cargo Freight Container or Ocean Freight Containers are the largest and fastest growing cargo category at most ports worldwide. Containerized cargo includes everything from auto parts, machinery and manufacturing components to shoes and toys to frozen meat and seafood. Project cargo and the Heavy Lift cargo include items like manufacturing equipment, air conditioners, factory components, generators, wind turbines, military equipment, and almost any other oversized or overweight cargo, which is too big or too heavy to fit into a container. A shipping container, or a Cargo Freight Container is a container with strength suitable to withstand shipment, storage, and handling. Shipping containers range from large reusable steel boxes used for intermodal shipments to the ubiquitous corrugated boxes. In the context of international shipping trade, “container” or “shipping container” is virtually synonymous with “standard intermodal container” (a container designed to be moved from one mode of transport to another without unloading and reloading).

The discussion of the contents of the Cargo Freight Container really has come up based on health standard issues. If shipping containers have had automobile parts inside that have oils, or lubricants within the parts themselves, they can be disrupted during the shipping process, intermodal transit or trucking. When they are off-hired and go on the open market for sale, there can be a smell on the interior or a justified concern about wether or not something including lead based paint, asbestos or any hazardous material for that matter, was inside the container they are now using to store their animals’ food, spending time, or even living.

There are many more examples of and plenty more information regarding the concerns people have for utilizing a used Cargo Freight Container for something where health and safety standards need to be met. It is my feeling that, as we move forward into a more eco-friendly society, awareness is being raised around the world as to how things are manufactured, as well as how things are transported. I truly feel it can only get better. As for the old used containers, just step cautiously… Buy “One Trip Containers”, or do what you can to clean them as well as possible if they are going to be used for something that involves long-term physical contact like housing.

Stay posted, as there are many more informative articles on the way regarding Shipping Containers and Containerized Housing: past, present and future…

Written by Gabe Crane, Container Alliance

Customer Spotlight: Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Container Alliance partner company Container Technology, Inc was contracted by the Atlanta Botanical Garden to convert a 40ft non-working refrigerated container otherwise known as 40ft insulated container into their “Frog Pod”. They approached us with the concept to create on-site lab to cultivate new and endangered species of frogs. They called it a “bio-secure amphibian research lab”.

A non-working refrigerated container (or insulated container) was a perfect fit for their application. They didn’t the refrigeration machine to be functional. They needed an insulated area where the temperature and humidity could be controlled for the frogs.
Container Technology, Inc created two separate rooms within the 40ft insulated container. The smaller room or “clean room”

is where they enter the lab. They come into this area and prepare themselves to enter the lab. This is done to avoid bringing any outside contaminants into the lab itself. We installed the access door from the exterior, interior door, electrical, overhead lighting, window A/C and linoleum flooring. The botanical garden also installed some of their own components as well as the plumbing.

The interior door opens up into the lab area. This area is where the frog specimens are cultivated and monitored. We installed the exterior door, windows, electrical, overhead lighting, and window A/C. All of the tanks, racks, tank lighting and miscellaneous components were installed by the botanical garden.

It was a fun an innovative project to be a part of…The “Frog Pod” represents another creative way in which a container (in this case, a non-working refrigerated container) can be converted and used in the aftermarket.

Author: Ray Gregorio
Company: Container Technology Inc.
Contact:ray@containertech.com | 770-960-6210

Container Technology, Inc the leading portable storage provider based in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Container Technology specializes in the sale of standard and specialized storage containers. Container Alliance is proud to be a part of the development of the new web base for Container Technology which showcases the quality and efficiency. Visit www.containertech.com and take a look at the new content.

The Shipping Container industry is one that is of massive global proportions.  The majority of finished goods and non bulk cargo is transported throughout the world inside the ISO shipping container. Most ocean freight containers are in circulation for 8-12 years before they are made available for sale or “off-hired” to the major port cities.  These off-hires are now available as a shipping container for sale.  The post shipping life of the container has become an entirely new industry of innovation and sustainability due to the fact that the containers are being “up-cycled” or “re-used” “re-cycled” or “re-purposed”.  Regardless of the term you are using the bottom line is that the 1 million and 1 uses for a cargo container is a good thing.   To see just a few examples of these new uses for containers visit this page:  creative uses for containers

Let’s first take a look back in time:  Many people think the Shipping Container was invented in China — not true.  The first shipping container was invented and patented in 1956 by an American named Malcolm McLean.  McLean was not an ocean shipper, but was a trucker and by 1956 he owned the largest trucking fleet in the South and the fifth largest trucking company in all the United States. He saved his money and bought his first truck in 1934. During those years all cargo was loaded and unloaded in odd sized wooden crates. The process was very slow, extremely expensive and certainly not standardized. After observing this slow and inefficient process for 20 years, he finally decided to step back and develop some standardized way of loading cargo from trucks to ships and warehouses. Malcolm then purchased Pan Atlantic Tanker Company, which owned a bunch of fairly rusted tankers. He re-named the new shipping company Sea-Land Shipping.  With this shipping company he could finally experiment with better ways to load and un-load trucks and ships.  After many experiments, his final design is what we know now as the Shipping Container. …super strong, uniform design, theft resistant, stackable, easy to load, unload, truck, rail, ship, and certainly store.  Now, it becomes available to the public, as a shipping container for sale and the economic impact has been nothing less than monumental.

Matson, on the West coast of the US also attempted the container concept, but failed sorely. The final boost to standardize McLean’s concept was the US Navy and by the early 70′s were globally accepted.  Although McLean had the first concept and working system in 1956, it was the US military who finally accomplished what was necessary to make the ISO  (International Organization for Standardization) shipping container accepted by every shipping line and every country of the world.

Because it was so much faster and organized to load and unload, the cost of loading freight was reduced by more than 90%. Thus, the cost of products you sell or buy were reduced greatly because of the invention and standardization of the ISO shipping container.   The shipping container for sale had become a global economic phenomenon

The worldwide transportation industry responded rapidly to this new invention of the Shipping Container and the rest of the world also began to find more uses for this “super box”, not just for shipping. The new shipping container for sale was so well designed that it can hold tons of cargo inside, and also easily withstand the weight of 8 or 10 more fully loaded containers on the top of it.  ISO shipping containers are the strongest mobile or stationary modular structure in the world.

So although Malcolm McLean invented and developed the first ISO Shipping Container, it was the U.S. Military who pushed the use of these ISO Boxes to become standard in shipping and ship building.  The military was also were the first to officially create the ISBU for use as quick, strong military housing, offices, power plants and instant set up medical facilities.

Now that we have a little history on the global economic significance of Cargo Containers, let’s take a look at what has become increasingly important in the world as we move forward: Sustainability.

Traditionally, shipping lines have had their containers fitted with tropical hardwood floors.  It takes two cubic meters of hardwood to produce floors for three, 40ft containers.  The container industry uses approximately 1.2-1.5 million cubic meters of hardwood annually to meet demand for new containers.  Environmental awareness has brought new materials to the manufacturing table that is less harmful to the environment then the old growth hardwoods traditionally used in the past. Container factories have also taken a longer look at paint application processes and the steel manufacturing process to become more efficient and less wasteful.

With the recent economic slowdown, the production of a shipping container for sale has slowed almost to a halt.  This has been somewhat of a reason for the general public to overlook the damage that building new containers has done, and will continue to do, to the environment.   However, now that manufacturing is seeing a slight uptick due to some economic recovery; that is starting to change. After having such a positive fiscal impact on the global economy, some of the largest container manufacturing companies are now taking responsibility with some of the negative aspects that the cargo freight industry has brought on.

To that end, Maersk line has introduced a new policy that insures all new manufactured Ocean Freight Containers are designed with responsible forestry practices or non-wood alternatives such as bamboo and recycled plastic.  Maersk sources say that any tropical hardwood that is used will be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); also stated is the fact that as an interim solution applicable only in 2011, tropical hardwood verified as legal by FSC will be accepted while the alternative types are scaled up in production.  The new cargo containers produced by Maersk will be FSC-labeled in hopes that this type of shipping container manufacturing will become a standard in that industry.  Maersk representative’s state that they are confident that the work and testing they have done with regards to alternative solutions for floors has been sufficient, and believe they can convey this to customers.  This new policy will not only be implemented within the Maersk organization, but throughout their global supply chain.  Which is significant.

The invention and production of ocean freight containers has been obviously been a large economic boost in our world.  Now we are faced with the inevitable environmental impacts that have been created from that outset.  The more we read, talk and scrutinize these factors, the more chances we have that change will happen.

For now, Container Alliance, as a network of small to mid-sized portable storage companies, will continue to work diligently to help our clients innovate and find as many new uses as possible for the ISO shipping container by offering storage containers for sale throughout the United States. In addition, it is our goal to continue to raise awareness about the positive aspects of sustainability within the Container industry.

Written By Gabe Crane

About The Author: Gabe Crane Sales Representative,  New Business Developer and ISBU Expert at Container Alliance  http://www.ContainerAlliance.com

Visit the site for more great information related to 20 ft shipping containers, 40 ft shipping container solutions, used container sales and more information about how to rent a shipping container.