Waterborne Container Carriers Key Terms

Understand basic vocabulary to relate to the world of waterborne container carriers

By Lisa Maloney

Waterborne container carriers are often the most cost effective way of transporting goods and services between countries or over major waterways. Standardized as a part of the intermodal transport network, waterborne containers are often packed away from the port of origin, shipped to that port, transported over the water, and finally taken to the final destination before the goods are unpacked and inspected.

Intermodal and waterborne transport container carriers, their standards and the ways they're used are not terribly complicated. The following key terms give you a good basis for understanding the ocean transport industry and its equipment.

Intermodal

Most waterborne containers reach their port of origin, and are then carried away from the destination port by truck or rail. This makes them intermodal containers, meaning they're specifically constructed and packed to be transported by more than one method before they reach their final destination.
Try: LoadMatch explains intermodal shipping and gives several examples of how it works.

ISO containers

Almost all waterborne containers are ISO intermodal containers, manufactured to meet the regulations of the International Standards Organization (ISO) for intermodal shipping.
Try: GlobalSpec explains the different types of ISO containers, their characteristics and capabilities, as well as how they're typically handled and loaded.

ISO 6780:2003

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets and oversees standards for shipping and manufacturing around the world. ISO 6780:2003 sets the standard for pallets used for intercontinental shipping, including waterborne containers.
Try: Use the International Organization for Standardization to learn more about pallets and waterborne containers.

Europallet

Also known as a European pallet or a CEN pallet, the Europallet is the standard shipping unit in Europe. European distributors may insist that goods shipped to them in waterborne containers be packaged on European pallets, in which case the container must be packed differently to satisfy the requirements.
Try: Compliance Packaging International explains the Europallet and provides essential facts about its use.

Tare

Tare or tare weight is a common specification you'll encounter when reviewing waterborne containers. Tare is the weight of the container alone, before it is loaded.
Try: wiseGEEK gives an explanation of tare or tare weight and why it's so important in shipping.

High cube

High cube waterborne containers are the same dimensions as a standard container, except that they typically offer an extra foot or more in height. Because so many different sizes of standard containers are available, the specification "high cube" on its own is not enough to fully explain the size of a container; you must request specific dimensions to be sure what you're getting.
Try: National Intermodal Services compares the dimensions of standard waterborne containers against high cube equipment.