Shipping Containers in Washington

Container Sales in Washington

Buying can suit long-term storage, regular site use or projects where you expect to keep the container afterwards. It can also provide more flexibility if you intend to alter the unit in future, although modifications should be considered in relation to its intended use.

Common storage sizes include 10ft containers, 20ft shipping containers and 40ft shipping containers. A larger unit gives you more storage capacity, but it also needs more site space and suitable access for delivery and placement.

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 can have dents, repairs, surface corrosion and marks from previous 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 between individual containers, so choose according to the condition and intended use rather than relying on a grade name alone.

Container Hire in Washington

Hire can work well for temporary storage during building work, renovations, site projects and other requirements with an expected end date. When the requirement finishes, the container can be collected rather than becoming something you need to store, relocate or dispose of.

Consider the likely duration before deciding between hire and purchase. A short-term requirement may favour hire, while ownership may make more sense where the container will remain useful for longer. Future use matters as much as the initial project.

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

Think about collection access when choosing the original position. Fencing, building work, parked machinery, stored materials or other site changes can make a container difficult to recover even if delivery access was straightforward at the start.

Special Container Types

A standard dry container suits many general storage jobs, but some loads require a different design. Refrigerated, open top and flat rack containers have specific purposes and should be selected according to the goods and handling method.

Refrigerated containers, commonly called reefers, are intended for temperature-controlled applications. Open top containers allow cargo to be loaded from above where it 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 container does not suit the job, options include 20ft refrigerated containers, 20ft open top containers and 20ft flat rack containers. Check the requirements of the load before choosing a specialist type.

Check the Size and Space Required

The nominal length is only part of the space calculation. You need room for the container itself, its cargo doors and practical access around it. Delivery may require considerably more working space than the final container footprint.

A standard 20ft container is approximately 20ft long, 8ft wide and 8ft 6in high. For detailed measurements, check the 20ft standard container dimensions before preparing the site.

If you need greater storage capacity, check the 40ft standard container dimensions as part of the same process. A 40ft container also needs a longer clear position and suitable vehicle access, so do not choose on internal capacity alone.

Container Delivery and HIAB Placement in Washington

A HIAB is a lorry-mounted crane used to lift the container from the delivery vehicle and position it on site. Placement depends on vehicle access, available working space, ground conditions and crane reach. A space large enough for the container is not necessarily accessible for the delivery operation.

Before delivery, check the complete access route and tell the supplier about:

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

Grass and other soft surfaces need particular attention because the delivery vehicle and its stabilisers also require suitable support. Tell the supplier about questionable ground conditions before delivery is arranged.

Crane reach should be checked where the container needs to be placed away from the side of the vehicle or beyond an obstruction. Site details should be discussed before delivery rather than assuming the crane can reach the proposed position.

Preparing the Ground for a Container

A container needs firm, reasonably level support. Uneven settlement can twist the container frame and make the cargo doors harder to operate. Good preparation also makes it easier to keep the unit stable during its time on site.

Drainage should be considered at the same time. Allowing water to collect around or beneath the container can create poor ground conditions and make future access more difficult. Our guide to container foundations explains the main siting considerations.

Decide on the door direction before the delivery vehicle arrives. Consider where vehicles, people and stored materials will be positioned once the container is in use. Reversing the container later 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 occur inside. Moist air can condense against cold steel surfaces as temperatures change. Damp goods placed inside can add further moisture.

Ventilation can help for some storage uses. Contents that are particularly sensitive to moisture or temperature may require a more considered approach involving lining or insulation. The right arrangement depends on the goods, site and length of storage.

A lockbox helps protect the padlock area from direct access, but security also depends on the lock used and how the site is controlled. Packing matters too. Keep frequently used items accessible rather than filling the container in a way that requires everything to be unloaded to reach goods at the rear. Our guide to protecting a shipping container covers further practical considerations.

Planning Permission for Containers in Washington

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

Temporary use does not automatically determine whether permission is required. Before committing to placement or significant modifications, check the circumstances of the site. Our page on shipping container planning permission in Washington provides further information. Where there is uncertainty, check current requirements with the relevant local council.

Using a Container for Export

A container suitable for static storage should not automatically be assumed suitable for international shipping. Export use can require an 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 for 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 the transport plan can result in storage, detention or demurrage charges depending on the arrangements involved.

Our information on Shippers Own Containers covers relevant points for customers considering 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 the container.

Choosing a Shipping Container in Washington

Start with the intended use and expected duration, then choose the size and condition. Check the site before ordering, including the access route, ground, overhead obstructions and space needed for the delivery vehicle and crane.

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

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