Container logistics

The term basically refers to the planning, coordination and control of material or immaterial flows of goods. Container logistics ultimately involves the complete handling of the transport of goods with containers. In this context, the following processes are in the foreground:

• Disposition
• procurement
• Transport and handling
• storage
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Maintenance and repair
• Inspection

Container logistics has its origins in the 18th century. At that time, wooden crates were used for the first time to transport goods by rail or horse. Today, containers play an overriding role in global freight transport, as 90 % of all general cargo is shipped by container. Large-capacity containers with standardised dimensions according to ISO 668 are used. The standard makes the containers universally usable, freightable and stackable.