Intermodal Containers Case Study

Introduction
In the past, the competition between modes has tended to produce a transport system that was segmented and un-integrated. The carriers of each modes has sought to exploit its own advantages in term cost, service, reliability and safety. All the modes saw each other as competitor and were viewed with a level of suspicion and mistrust. Modalism was also favoured because it was difficult to transfer goods from one mode to another which incurring additional terminal costs and delays, due to the load unit needs to be changed.
Since the 1960s, efforts have been made to integrate separate transport system through intermodalism which included setting of maritime networks and better connected with inland network. The intermodal containers

The sustainability challenge can be categorized into two: protecting the environment and empty intermodal

Collapsible or folding containers are designed with hinged walls to fold down when empty. They can decrease the space needed to store containers and the cost of moving empties. This allows many more containers to be shipped back with the same cubic space as set up containers and they reduce logistical need for land storage. This option leads to saving in storage savings in empty container return freight costs, repair and durability issues of moving parts of folding walls and time and labour cost. Figure 3: Collapsible container
Secondary Uses of Empty Containers
Many containers depots should find new revenue streams and focus on more efficient use of resources. One of the diversification is into trading and local leasing of containers. Many depots have developed a good business in selling containers for domestic use of as “one way to nowhere boxes” and in many places there is profitable business in modifying containers to make offices, housing units, hostel and a whole range of other uses.
Other than regular uses, second-hand containers can also be used in emergency situations such as relocate-able relief housing with application for a variety needs, including post flood, fire, earthquake, or similar natural disasters.