Shipping containers-Disposable ?? or in short supply??

[underpants]

I think it was on CBS last week that I saw a report about using shipping containers to build apartment buildings in England. That report said that these things were basically one-use only--too many goods coming FROM Asia to the UK and the US and no one wants to ship back empties so they just junk them. Well my quick research tells me that the Wall Street Journal says that US companies are claiming a shortage.

:shrug: something to watch.

Bob Villa is on it.
http://www.bobvila.com/BVTV/Bob_Vila/Project-0201.html

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Container Shortage Frustrates U.S. Exporters
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121028483313278907.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
May 9, 2008; Page A4

Surging U.S. exports on a range of goods including corn, soybeans and frozen pork are hitting a bottleneck in the nation's overloaded ports, threatening to crimp profits for U.S. farmers and agricultural processors at a time when it is easier than ever for them to sell their goods abroad.

The problem can be traced to a shortage of once-plentiful shipping containers and other transportation equipment, along with a lack of space on outgoing ships. The shortage is affecting other industries, including exporters of manufactured goods and sellers of scrap metal and paper.

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Shipping container structure breaks new ground for Ottawa
Maria Cook, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The price is cheap and the look is admired by some designers as industrial-chic. A new trend toward transforming shipping containers into buildings may be the answer to Ottawa's need for arts and culture space.

The byproduct of a global economy, containers are plentiful. They are made everywhere and are stacked at ports and railway yards around the world. They cost about $3,000 to $5,000 apiece depending on size.

High-profile projects using the containers include the live/work Container City in London's Docklands, South Korea's popular Papertainer Museum and Oslo's GAD art gallery.

"You can get a container about as easily as ordering office supplies," says Mr. Donkin.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=0d178e66-31b6-43d4-a61a-b0c384249f25

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Sophisticated Simplicity with Shipping Containers
http://www.jetsongreen.com/2008/04/sophisticated-s.html

April 21, 2008

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. It might be that the overabundance is just the UK, not the US

As I recall, the UK does not export much.

[fed-up]

2. I call BS-I bought my 8x20 insulated container 1 year ago for $1400

here are a few websites in California/Oregon-most want you to call/email for prices

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=cargo+containers&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

http://internationalcontainerservices.com/

http://mobilestorage-c.ndssearch.com/portable-storage-containers.htm?source=goo&cat=containers&_kk=cargo%20containers&_kt=c0141d53-11ae-4c9f-9da7-3a377bcfcf69&gclid=CM7tlrepoZMCFRJIagodrHF1ww

[Turbineguy]

3. Ocean shipping containers

are not one-use disposable. Empty containers are repositioned as needed and as space is available. Ships can only carry a certain number of boxes. Preferrably full (revenue producing) than empty. They are replaced as they wear out or fail inspections by classification societies. There is a lot of wear and tear due to loading and unloading, sea motion, and crane moves and road travel. Also, companies like to have new containers rather than old beaters for business reasons. Even a company name change (as is the case of the containers in the picture) can drive replacement.

(I am a retired containership Chief Engineer)

[underpants]

4. Thanks

good information

:hi: