With the world becoming more interconnected, shipping is being used more than ever to transport items globally. This is generally done by putting items into shipping containers and moving them overseas. Although shipping containers look similar, they can differ in terms of size, with shipping container dimensions varying depending on what the shipping container is transporting or how it is being used. In fact, you can use shipping containers in situations that are not related to shipping in any way. Due to their versatility, there is no doubt that plenty of people are interested in utilizing shipping containers.
Despite that, there are still plenty of myths and misinformation surrounding shipping containers. Here are a few popular myths regarding shipping containers that we have identified and explained below, so be sure to keep reading to learn more about this topic.
Building with them is always efficient
While most people believe that building with containers makes construction work a lot of efficient (and in some respects, this is true), whether a project will be efficient or not actually depends more on its requirements. In fact, the biggest benefits a shipping container can bring is that it is affordable and extremely durable, meaning you can reduce material costs and the amount of maintenance to upkeep a structure.
On the other hand, if you are looking to customize your building project with plenty of upgrades and high-end finishes, then additional costs may end up eating into your funds. In this way, building with shipping containers is not so different from any other construction project – you also have to consider the costs of permits, land, and inspections, in addition to any further adjustments needed down the line.
They are not eco friendly
As consumers become more aware of how our actions impact the environment, companies are looking to become more eco-friendly and sustainable. Unfortunately, when it comes to shipping, it is responsible for huge emissions of carbon when transporting goods. As such, some people may also come to believe that using shipping containers is not an eco-friendly choice. However, this could not be further from the truth. This is because after a shipping container’s shipping life is over, people can repurpose themfor other situations. In fact, it is actually more environmentally damaging to build from scratch using traditional building materials in comparison to recycling shipping containers. Right now, you can use shipping containers to build offices, storage spaces, homes, and more, if you only put your mind to it.
Additionally, when it comes to actually repurposing a shipping container, builders have a new opportunity to reuse any materials that were unused from another project. As such, this allows them to reduce waste overall. You also may not need a foundation when building with a shipping container – which means less carbon footprint in the long run.
Shipping containers are easy to repurpose yourselves.
Although, at first glance, repurposing a shipping container may seem easy, it is anything but. Most experts agree that you should leave construction projects to be trained and certified professionals. This is because you need to make many considerations when it comes to modifying a shipping container, such as where the container will be placed, its size, building code, permits, and zoning regulations. This is not even getting into any extra materials or equipment required for a particular building project. Of course, if you outsource the construction, then you will not have to worry about any of these issues. But if you were doing things yourself, then you may end up running the risk of missing a few requirements or doing something wrong, therefore wasting your hard-earned investment on the project.
There are a lot of unutilized shipping containers.
Before the global pandemic hit, around 99% of all shipping containers were used to carry items on boats overseas. However, now most ocean carriers are, in fact, struggling to find any usable shipping containers. This is due to a global shortage of containers. Although shipping containers can be made quickly, the pace they are being produced is still not enough to keep up with the growing demand for new containers worldwide. Therefore, this growing demand is driving up the cost of all new containers, making them more expensive. So, most shipping lines are now choosing to stock old containers longer to meet their shipping and freight demands.However, there are still places like Miami and Houston where you can find them. Finding quality shipping containers in Miami, Florida that are on sale is easy when you know where to look. Check out Conexwest, and see for yourself what they have to offer. The good thing is they don’t operate only in Miami but all over the US so scroll around until you find the right container on sale for your exact needs.”
You cannot transport shipping containers.
Intuitively, this belief seems to make sense. As once you have used a shipping container to construct something, it generally remains static and cannot be moved. However, converted shipping containers are not necessarily stationary. In fact, they can surprisingly be transported to another location! People can transport them pretty easily, which is a great thing if you are planning to move the structure frequently or semi-frequently.
Objects will get ruined in a shipping container.
This is a big worry for most shippers, or generally anyone who is putting objects inside a shipping container. However, you will be glad to know that your belongings will remain safe and sound inside. For instance, some companies have modified shipping containers to be weatherproof and ventilated, meaning mold and intense weather conditions will likely not end up damaging your goods. Some containers include tie-down hooks on both sides, top and bottom, as well as the inside in order to secure any belongings. Shipping containers also generally remain pretty sturdy and durable for a long time.
However, please keep in mind there are certain objects that you should not store in a shipping container. These generally include anything hazardous, such as explosives or flammable materials, as well as propane tanks, gasoline, and oil.
Shipping containers are contaminated.
This myth tends to scare first-timers into not using shipping containers, especially since most people view their health as a priority. According to the myth, since shipping containers are used multiple times and are shipped around the world, some harmful chemicals may end up spilling on the floors, contaminating any goods as well as making the container unsafe for humans to use. The good news is that this is completely false. Most shipping companies thoroughly check and regulate their shipping containers for any signs of contamination so that they will not harm people who are using them in any way.
