Shipping Containers in Wallsend

Container Sales in Wallsend

Buying a container can suit ongoing storage, regular site use or a project where you expect to keep the unit afterwards. It can also give you more freedom to make alterations in future, although any modification should be considered in relation to how the container will eventually be used.

Common sizes include 10ft containers, 20ft shipping containers and 40ft shipping containers. Choosing a size is not simply a question of storage capacity. You also need sufficient space for delivery, door operation and practical access to the contents once the container is in position.

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

Wind and watertight describes a container intended to prevent wind and rain from entering under normal storage conditions. Cargo-worthy is a different condition description associated with cargo transport. Age, repairs, inspection status and certification can vary, so choose a container according to its intended use rather than relying on the grade name alone.

Container Hire in Wallsend

Container hire can suit building work, renovations, temporary site storage and other projects where there is an expected end date. At the end of the hire, the unit can be collected rather than becoming something you need to store, relocate or sell.

Consider the likely duration before choosing between hire and purchase. A short-term requirement may suit hire, while buying can make more sense if the container is likely to remain useful after the original project has finished.

Any proposed alterations to a hired container should be discussed before work is carried out. Cutting openings, fitting permanent equipment or making other modifications may be restricted. Responsibility for damage and the condition expected when the container is collected should also be understood from the hire terms.

Keep collection access in mind when deciding where the container will be placed. Fencing, building work, parked machinery or stored materials can make collection difficult even if the site was easily accessible when the container arrived.

Special Container Types

A standard dry container suits many general storage requirements, but some loads need a different design. Refrigerated, open top and flat rack containers are intended for more specific applications and should be selected according to the goods and the way they need to be handled.

Refrigerated containers, often 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 designed for loads that may be oversized or unsuitable for a fully enclosed container.

Where a standard dry unit does not suit the job, options include 20ft refrigerated containers, 20ft open top containers and 20ft flat rack containers. The container type should match the load rather than being chosen purely on size.

Check Container Dimensions Before Ordering

The nominal container length does not tell you how much space the entire delivery and storage operation will require. Allow room for the container itself, cargo doors, access around the unit and the vehicle and crane used to place it.

A standard 20ft container is approximately 20ft long, 8ft wide and 8ft 6in high. If space is restricted, check the full 20ft standard container dimensions before preparing the site.

For larger storage requirements, check the 40ft standard container dimensions. A 40ft unit provides substantially more storage capacity but needs a longer clear position and suitable access for delivery.

Container Delivery and HIAB Placement in Wallsend

A HIAB is a lorry-mounted crane used to lift a shipping container from the delivery vehicle and place it on site. Successful delivery depends on more than the container fitting in the final position. The vehicle needs safe access and enough working space for lifting and placement.

Before delivery, check the full route into the site and tell the supplier about:

• Gate and entrance width
• Road or access-track width
• Tight bends and turning space
• Grass, soft ground and significant slopes
• Walls, fences and buildings near the proposed position
• Overhead cables, trees and other obstructions
• Distance between the delivery vehicle and final position
• Required cargo-door orientation

Grass or soft ground should be mentioned before delivery is arranged. The delivery vehicle and its stabilisers need suitable support as well as the container itself.

Crane reach also needs to be considered where the final position is away from the side of the vehicle or beyond a wall, fence or other obstruction. Provide site details in advance rather than assuming the crane will be able to reach any point within the property.

Preparing the Ground for a Shipping Container

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

Drainage matters too. Water collecting around or beneath the unit can contribute to poor ground conditions and make future access more difficult. Our guide to container foundations explains the main factors to consider when preparing the position.

Decide which direction the doors need to face before delivery. Think about how the container will be loaded, where vehicles or people will approach from and whether anything could obstruct the doors later. Reversing the container after placement may require another lift.

Preparing a Container for Storage

A wind and watertight container is intended to keep external weather out, but condensation can still develop inside. Moist air can condense against colder steel surfaces as temperatures change, and damp goods placed inside can increase the amount of moisture present.

Ventilation can help in some storage situations. Goods that are particularly sensitive to temperature or moisture may need further measures such as lining or insulation. The right approach depends on what is being stored, the site conditions and how long the goods will remain inside.

A lockbox helps shield the padlock area, but security also depends on the lock used and how the site is managed. Packing matters as well. Keep regularly used items accessible rather than filling the container in a way that makes the rear difficult to reach. Our guide to protecting a shipping container covers further practical considerations.

Planning Permission for Containers in Wallsend

Planning requirements can depend on the intended use, how long the container will remain on site, the status and location of the land, neighbouring property, listed status, conservation areas, associated works and whether the proposal involves a change of use.

A container being used temporarily does not automatically determine the planning position. Before committing to a longer-term installation or significant work, check the circumstances of the site. Our page on shipping container planning permission in Wallsend provides further information. Where there is uncertainty, check current requirements with the relevant local council.

Using a Container for Export

A container that is suitable for static storage should not automatically be assumed suitable for international shipping. Export use can require the appropriate CSC status, inspection 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.

An export movement can also involve Verified Gross Mass, usually shortened to VGM, shipping documents, customs requirements, insurance and Incoterms 2020. Delays or changes to transport arrangements can also result in storage, detention or demurrage charges depending on the circumstances.

Our information on Shippers Own Containers covers relevant points for customers considering using their own container for shipping. For a specific export movement, confirm requirements with the shipping line, freight forwarder, customs agent, insurer or other relevant adviser before buying or loading a container.

Choosing a Shipping Container in Wallsend

Start with the intended use and likely duration, then choose the size, type and condition. Check the whole delivery route as well as the final position, including ground conditions, overhead obstructions and space for the delivery vehicle and crane.

For storage, consider security, ventilation, drainage and access to the contents. For hire, make sure the container can still be reached for collection later. If you intend to modify or export a purchased container, establish those requirements before selecting the unit.

To discuss container size, condition, hire or purchase requirements and access to your Wallsend site, contact Shipping Containers of Leeds for a quote or call 0330 0130 636.