Shipping Containers in Newcastle

Container Sales in Newcastle

Buying a container can make sense for ongoing storage, regular site use or a project where you want to keep the unit afterwards. It can also provide more freedom if you intend to modify the container, although any proposed alterations should be considered alongside its future use.

Standard storage options include 10ft containers, 20ft shipping containers and 40ft shipping containers. The best size is not simply the largest one that will fit your goods. You also need enough room on site for delivery, door operation and practical access to the contents.

Containers are constructed with Corten steel and different conditions are available. A one-trip container has normally completed a single loaded journey from its manufacturer, so it generally has less wear than an older used unit. Used containers can have dents, repairs, surface corrosion and handling marks from their previous working life.

Wind and watertight describes a container intended to keep wind and rain from entering under normal storage conditions. Cargo-worthy is a different condition description associated with suitability for cargo transport. Age, repairs, inspection status and certification can vary between individual units, so the condition required should be discussed before purchase rather than relying on the grade name alone.

Container Hire in Newcastle

Hire is useful for temporary storage during building work, renovations, site projects and other requirements with a foreseeable end date. Instead of owning the container afterwards, arrangements can be made for collection when the agreed hire ends.

Consider the likely hire duration and future use before deciding between hire and purchase. If the requirement becomes long-term, the cost comparison can change. A purchased container may also be more appropriate where permanent alterations are planned.

With a hired container, agree on any proposed modifications before work is carried out. Cutting openings, installing permanent fittings or making other alterations may be restricted. Damage responsibility and the expected condition of the unit at collection should also be clear from the hire terms.

Keep the collection route in mind when choosing the original position. A container that can be delivered successfully may become difficult to collect later if access is subsequently blocked by fencing, building work, stored materials, vehicles or other site changes.

Special Container Types

Standard dry containers suit many storage requirements, but some goods need a different container design. Refrigerated, open top and flat rack containers serve more specific purposes and should be selected according to the load and how it needs to be handled.

Refrigerated containers, commonly called reefers, are intended for temperature-controlled applications. Open top containers allow loading from above where cargo cannot conveniently pass through standard end doors. Flat racks are intended for loads that may be oversized or unsuitable for a fully enclosed container.

These types are available in different sizes. For example, you can compare 20ft refrigerated containers, 20ft open top containers and 20ft flat rack containers where a standard dry container does not suit the intended use.

Check the Container Size Before Ordering

Container dimensions affect both storage capacity and delivery. A site may have enough room for the container itself but insufficient space for the delivery vehicle and crane operation.

A standard 20ft container is approximately 20ft long, 8ft wide and 8ft 6in high. If you are planning the site around a specific unit, check the full 20ft standard container dimensions rather than relying on the nominal 20ft description.

For larger storage requirements, check the 40ft standard container dimensions as part of the same process. Allow for the cargo doors to open and consider how people or equipment will move around the container once it is loaded.

Container Delivery and HIAB Placement in Newcastle

A HIAB is a lorry-mounted crane used to lift a shipping container from the delivery vehicle and position it on site. Successful placement depends on safe access for the vehicle and enough working space for the crane, not simply on the container fitting in the final position.

Before arranging delivery, check the complete route into the site. Useful information to provide includes:

• Gate and entrance width
• Road and access-track width
• Turning space for the delivery vehicle
• Ground condition and significant slopes
• Walls, fences and buildings close to the proposed position
• Overhead cables, trees and other obstructions
• Required door orientation
• Distance between the vehicle position and final container position

Tell the supplier in advance if the container needs to cross or be placed near grass, soft ground or a restricted access point. Ground that looks suitable for the container may not necessarily support the delivery vehicle or its stabilisers.

Crane reach is another consideration where the container cannot be positioned directly beside the delivery vehicle. Site information should be checked before delivery rather than assuming the crane can place a unit anywhere within the property.

Preparing the Container Position

A container should have firm, reasonably level support. If its supporting points settle unevenly, the container can twist, and the cargo doors may become difficult to open and close.

Drainage matters as well. Allowing water to collect beneath or immediately around the container can contribute to poor site conditions and make future access more difficult. The appropriate preparation depends on the ground and intended use, so see our guide to shipping container foundations when preparing the position.

Decide which way the cargo doors need to face before the container arrives. Think about loading, pedestrian access, vehicles and anything that could obstruct the doors in future. Changing the orientation after placement may require the container to be lifted again.

Using a Container for Storage

A wind and watertight container is intended to prevent external weather from entering, but condensation can still form inside. Moist air entering the container can condense against colder steel surfaces, particularly where damp goods are stored, or temperatures change.

Ventilation can help with some storage applications. Goods that are sensitive to moisture or temperature may need further measures such as lining or insulation, depending on what is being stored and the conditions on site.

Security should also be considered according to the contents and location. A lockbox helps shield the padlock area, but it is only one part of container security. The lock used, site access and how goods are packed also matter. Our guide to protecting a shipping container covers further practical measures.

Planning Permission for Containers in Newcastle

Planning requirements can depend on the intended use, duration, site status, location, neighbouring property, listed status, conservation areas, associated works and whether the proposal involves a change of use. A container being described as temporary does not by itself determine the planning position.

Before committing to a longer-term installation or significant modification, check the circumstances of the site. Our Newcastle shipping container planning permission page provides further information. Current requirements should also be checked with the relevant local council where there is uncertainty.

Using a Container for Export

A container suitable for static storage should not automatically be assumed suitable for international cargo. Export use can involve CSC status, inspection requirements and acceptance by the shipping line. CSC refers to the International Convention for Safe Containers and the safety approval information associated with containers used in international transport.

Other considerations can include Verified Gross Mass, commonly shortened to VGM, shipping documents, customs requirements, insurance and the agreed Incoterms 2020 responsibilities between parties. Delays can also lead to storage, detention or demurrage charges depending on the circumstances and transport arrangements.

If export is the intended use, our information on Shippers Own Containers is a useful starting point. Confirm the requirements for a particular shipment with the shipping line, freight forwarder, customs agent, insurer or relevant professional adviser before purchasing or loading the container.

Choosing a Shipping Container in Newcastle

Start with the intended use and expected duration. From there, choose the size and condition, check whether a specialist container is actually required and measure the site before arranging delivery.

For storage, consider access to the contents, security, ventilation and the ground beneath the container. For hire, preserve access for collection. For a purchased container, think about future use before making permanent modifications. If the container will be exported, establish the shipping requirements before choosing a unit.

To discuss the size, condition, hire or purchase requirement and delivery access for your Newcastle site, contact Shipping Containers of Leeds for a quote or call 0330 0130 636.