Containers

The history of containers began in the 1950s, when the American entrepreneur Malcolm McLean had a revolutionary idea: transporting goods in standardised containers. Before this innovation, transporting goods by ship was laborious and time-consuming, as each item of cargo had to be loaded and unloaded individually. McLean realised that a standardised system could significantly increase efficiency.

First container shipments in 1956

In 1956, he carried out the first container shipment by loading his specially designed containers onto a ship. These containers were robust, stackable and could be easily transported by lorry and train. The introduction of the container fundamentally transformed the logistics industry. Within a few years, ports worldwide began to switch to containerised transport, and the first container terminals were established.

The advantages of container transport are manifold: it significantly reduces loading and unloading times, minimises the risk of damage and theft, and lowers transport costs. This led to an increase in international trade and the globalisation of the economy. Countries were now able to interact more efficiently with one another, and businesses benefited from new markets.

Containers today

Today, containers are an indispensable part of global trade. They come in various sizes and shapes and are suitable for transporting almost all types of goods. Containerisation has not only revolutionised the way goods are transported, but has also influenced the entire economy. The history of the container is thus a story of innovation, efficiency and global connectivity.

There are an estimated 20 million shipping containers in circulation worldwide. These containers are vital for international trade and the transport of goods by sea, land and air.

Outlook

Forecasts suggest that container traffic will continue to grow in the coming years as globalisation and international trade continue to expand. The industry is also working on sustainable solutions to reduce its environmental footprint.

Fun fact

In 2021 and 2022, there were reports of a global container shortage caused by increased demand and logistical challenges. This led to higher freight rates and longer delivery times.