Daily, thousands of containers leave and arrive at seaports in different nations. Sea liners carry these freight boxes to facilitate goods delivery and trade. But where do these shipping containers go after landing at their destinations? Do they have any value to keep them in use after their initial delivery?
This post answers the above questions profoundly. We discuss four main things that happen to these freight boxes. Remain on board to learn more.
Four Things That Happen to Shipping Containers After Delivery
Upon discharging a container at the port, it gets ferried to a shipper’s factory or warehouse using a freight truck. After offloading, the box becomes empty, paving the way for the next four things that happen to them.
1. Shipped to New Destinations With Cargo
First, these containers can be reloaded with more cargo to deliver to their original port of departure or any other destination. For instance, if a ship leaves with 50 containers from London to New York City, it can pick up other cargo back to London or South America before returning to London.
2. Shipped to New Destinations Empty
Alternatively, offloaded cargo containers can be shipped back to their original port of departure empty. They may also be sent to other destinations empty. Shipping empty containers cost the same amount as shipping loaded ones because they occupy the same space.
3. Piled Up at Depots and Ports
Cargo boxes aren’t used in the first two ways pile at ports and depots.
4. They Are Repurposed
Shipping containers can be repurposed in many creative ways. Here are some innovative and productive ways of reusing these containers :
- Container Homes
The current housing scarcity is forcing companies into creative ways of utilizing shipping containers for home construction. Numerous commercial developers, general contractors, and builders across North America use them as cost-effective building materials.
These boxes are easy to convert into budget-friendly housing units. Container homes vary in size, depending on one’s budget. They come as single or multiple units costing more dollars. The smaller versions are becoming popular rental hubs for popular travel tourist sites like Airbnb.
- Swimming Pools
Homeowners with limited space may use these units to create swimming pools. They are ideal for built-in or above-ground swimming pools to cool you and your family during hot months. You can comfortably swim to desirable lengths and fully submerge yourself underwater for a refreshing moment. Additionally, their watertight nature makes them more secure.
- Gyms
If you lack enough room to put up a private gym, you can use a shipping container to build one. These containers are suitable for public gyms without spending a fortune. They’re economical, sturdy, and durable. Their tough nature makes them more secure for your gym equipment because thieves can’t easily break into them.
- Offices
Companies may use shipping containers to build office spaces in remote locations. They are an excellent alternative for building stone-and-mortar offices or leasing them for the long term. You can easily convert them into offices with doors, windows, and other regular office features.
Besides, those with home-based businesses requiring offices may take advantage of these boxes to save costs. The containers are suitable for home-based enterprises because you can easily repurpose or sell them once done with them.
- Farms
Farmers have used freight containers for many years for their farm storage. However, they’re fast becoming popular for modular or vertical farming. These boxes provide small-scale farmers with farms with a controlled agricultural environment. They have insulated, automated, and enhanced components that support modern farming.
These boxes are ideal for boosting food production worldwide without worrying about today’s unpredictable weather patterns. They are also perfect because they grow any crop without the limitations seasons impose on traditional farms. Plants in these containers get all their necessary nutrients from water and light energy from in-house LEDs.
More interestingly, plants growing in these boxes use up to 95% less water than traditional farming. No wonder container farming is gaining traction among households that want to maximize their space and avoid unnecessary chemicals in their food crops.
- Garages
Homeowners can use these boxes to solve their storage problems. The containers are convertible into garages or sheds and can add valuable space to your existing property. You may use them for parking your car, storing your household tools, and keeping your garden supplies.
Proper temperature control allows shipping containers to safely store sensitive and volatile materials in your home. Don’t forget that building a container shed or garage definitely adds to your home’s sale or resale value.
- Food Trucks
Those with an entrepreneurial spirit may optimize these boxes for the food truck business. With one or two containers, you can start an eating joint with enough space for people to line up and order food. These containers are excellent tools because of their portable nature and size. You can easily transport it to another spot in town without incurring the cost of renting a new space or constructing one.
This alternative gives you sufficient space for your food joint’s staff and kitchen. You don’t need to get a big loan to start it the way you would when starting a conventional food hub.
- Student Dormitories
Lastly, entrepreneurs can reuse these containers to solve student housing problems. Many higher learning institutions are exploring these boxes as alternative and cheaper ways of housing their students.
They are easy to stack up, thus saving much on limited space. This way, they give students a communal sense of living without spending huge sums on expensive conventional buildings. Better still, it lets you organize how to set up living spaces because of their simplicity, standardization, and convenient shape.
Let’s Help You With Your Shipping Needs Today
Containers end up in different hands after delivering cargo to their destinations. They can be repurposed in many beneficial ways that address other needs.
Do you need shipping services or containers to meet your daily needs? Don’t hesitate to contact us for all your storage and shipping needs today.
