Storage & Container News — Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit

Around 90% of everything that is purchased has traveled at some stage in a container. Containerization and the standardization of the size of containers in and around 1970 changed the face of the planet.  Before standardization of the container cargo was loaded at 1.3 tonnes per hour.  Post 1970 ships were loaded at 30 tonnes per hour.  Resistance by dockworkers was crushed, docks rebuilt for container ships, jobs lost but profits were up and suddenly global trade spiraled off the graph. The 20 ft and 40 ft containers we use today became the standard which is referred to as TEU...