Container Leasing and Rental Services Key Terms

Container leasing and rental service key terms knowledge is vital in container selection

Leasing or renting a container, either for storage or transportation, requires the understanding of several key terms. Containers vary by size, the point of entry, the type of transportation they are geared for and even the type of product that will be housed within them. A knowledge of the terminology associated with these considerations is important, because there are so many options in the container industry. In addition, certain unique terminology pertaining to container weight could greatly impact your rental costs.

Temperature control

Refrigerated or temperature-controlled storage containers are ideal for those in the catering business or those who need to transport items that will suffer if exposed to variant temperatures. Caterers, food companies and even pharmaceutical companies often rent refrigerated containers to transport their wares. Fresh items like fruits and vegetables are often transported from farms to the distribution company using temperature-controlled storage containers.

Specialized container transport

Certain cargoes, such as cars and even certain chemicals, cannot be transported using a one-size-fits-all container. These types of cargo are thus labeled "specialized." It is important that your container rental or leasing company is an expert in specialized container transport.

Container dimensions

Your rental or leasing rate will depend, in part, on your container dimensions. In the transport industry, many measurements are taken of the container, including the inside length and height as well as the door dimensions and even the cargo capacity.

Tare weight

A container's tare weight (TW), its weight when empty, will also impact its price. This is because, when it comes to shipping and transport, every pound counts. The heavier the tare weight and its weight after loading, the more you can expect to pay as part of your rental or leasing agreement.

Container tracking

Container tracking services are add-on services that can be included in your rental or leasing agreement. A tracking system placed on your container will allow it to be located in the event it is lost in transit.

Payload

Payload is the maximum allowed weight for a container. It is calculated by subtracting the tare weight from the container's rating (the total weight of the container plus it's goods). Similar to tare weight, the higher your payload the more you will pay when you rent or lease a container.

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