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Originally Posted On: https://tuffshippingcontainers.com/conex-storage-boxes-provide-the-ideal-solution-to-storage-issues/

 

There are more than 17 million steel shipping containers in circulation at the moment. And, a good number of those metal storage containers are Conex boxes.

 

Conex storage boxes are the ideal solution for anyone looking for durable, metal shipping containers for a wide range of purposes. If you’re in this boat, you can take advantage of these types of shipping containers for some pretty practical uses.

So, are you ready to learn how Conex boxes can help your business? Keep reading and we’ll walk you through everything there is to know about these handy steel storage containers.

What is a Conex Storage Box?

The first step to understanding the benefits of Conex storage solutions is to understand what a Conex box is. Conex boxes are a type of cargo shipping container.

In fact, Conex is the abbreviation of the words ‘express’ and ‘container’. The name indicates that shippers can transport the box by all means of travel, helping save travel time.

Conex boxes are modular units that shippers can easily stack. That makes it possible for them to store lots of cargo in a single location without taking up tons of ground space.

Aside from the name Conex, you’ll also hear these boxes referred to as cargo shipping containers. No matter which name you hear them referred to as these are all the same thing.

A Brief History of Conex Containers

Conex shipping containers first appeared during the first and second world wars. During these years, the United States military needed faster, more convenient ways of transporting supplies to soldiers abroad.

Their cargo transportation method simply wasn’t efficient enough as it required huge amounts of time for loading and unloading the cargo. Plus, many times, the cargo arrived damaged.

To get around this problem, the military needed to come up with a box that was cost-effective, safe, and compatible with road trailers. In the 1940s, they came up with their solutions: steel and aluminum containers to ship supplies.

It was in 1948 that the US army came up with the first Conex box. They called their prototype The Transporter and designed it so that it could carry roughly 9000 pounds of goods.

The box was a huge success, and quickly became adopted around the world. By the early 1950s, the Conex box system had been established in both full-size and half-size units.

Features of Conex Boxes

There are a few different features that not only make Conex boxes stand out from other types of transportation but that make them the best shipping containers. Let’s check out a few key features of the boxes.

Versatile

Conex boxes are extremely versatile. They can be used for anything from shipping goods to serving as an office or even living space!

Safe

Conex boxes are made out of corrugated steel, which makes them highly durable. On top of that, the containers feature skids on the bottom of the container which prevents them from slipping or toppling over.

Stackable

Conex boxes have an interlocking mechanism that makes it possible to stack them. The mechanism connects to adjacent systems on the box beneath it and has to be released in order for you to move them. Plus, the metal rings on the four corners make it easy for cranes to stack and unstack the boxes.

Global

By the late 1960s, the US military was using more than 100,000 of these boxes around the world. They quickly became adopted around the world, making them a globally acceptable and viable option for shipping companies.

Types of Conex Boxes

Now that we’ve covered a bit more history and features of these boxes, it’s time to get an idea of what types of Conex boxes are out there. After all, there are tons of different styles of Conex storage you can purchase. Let’s take a look.

Dry Storage Containers

Dry storage containers are your standard shipping containers. They’re airtight and made out of steel and come in 20-foot, 40-foot, and 40-foot high cube sizes. High cube sizes provide about 30% more space in the box and are better for heavy loads.

Flat Rack Containers

Flat rack containers work the same way as open box containers except that they don’t have sidewalls. Sometimes, they won’t have front or rear walls either. They’re perfect for atypical loads.

Open Side Containers

Open side containers measure either 20-feet or 40-feet long and have a side opening. They’re perfect for transporting long merchandise with odd dimensions that don’t fit into regular shipping containers.

Open Top Containers

An open-top Conex box has the same dimensions as a standard container. However, it’s open at the top. It has a removable canvas roof, enabling shippers to transport bulky loads.

Refrigerated Containers

Refrigerated containers feature a power supply that provides a temperature-controlled environment. They can drop the temperatures to as low as -18ºF if needed. These containers are available in 20-foot, 40-foot, and 40-foot high cube sizes.

Tank Box Containers

Tank box containers work for transporting liquids. They’re ideal for companies that need to move corrosive, toxic, or combustible liquids as well as standard items such as milk or oil. These containers have polyethylene tanks to store the liquids.

Ventilated Box Containers

Ventilated box containers are ideal for transporting coffee or cocoa and other products that require ventilation while in transit. Because they’re so often used to transport coffee, they’re sometimes referred to as “coffee containers.”

How to Use Conex Boxes

Originally, Conex boxes solely served the purpose of transporting military supplies. However, today companies use Conex boxes across a wide range of industries.

For the most part, companies use Conex boxes to move goods across the ocean. They also often use them as warehouses for storing perishable and nonperishable goods.

Sometimes you’ll find Conex boxes serving as tool and equipment storage. These can be located within homes, at workplaces, or in other locations.

Construction teams also frequently use Conex boxes. They use them as shifting containers or for house renovation projects.

You may also find Conex boxes in the agricultural industry. These boxes work well for storing agricultural equipment.

Conex boxes also work well for storing documents for businesses. And, in more recent years, they’ve become innovative upcycled solutions for apartment buildings, dormitories, office spaces, studios, restaurants, and retail shops.

The Costs of Conex Boxes

Conex boxes, as we’ve seen, provide tons of benefits to businesses. And, although they’re not the cheapest storage solution, they’re well worth the cost.

Conex boxes have a lifespan of 10-12 years, although they can last for twice that amount of time if they’re well-kept. Thanks to this durability, they’re considered a cost-effective solution.

If you want to purchase Conex boxes outright you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,400 to $9,400. If you want to rent a container, prices drop down to just $75 to 200 per month.

Renting vs Buying Conex Boxes

Before you acquire a Conex box, you need to consider whether you want to rent or buy the box. Both options work well, but each has its own benefits and disadvantages. Let’s check out what to know about each choice.

Renting

If you rent a Conex box, you’ll save yourself storage and maintenance fees. This is an ideal solution if you’re only looking for a short-term solution or need storage for a one-time event.

Renting also provides the advantage of eliminating your liability, maintenance, and disposal concerns. Just keep in mind that over time the costs to rent can add up, making them a less attractive option if you need a more permanent solution.

Buying

The cost to buy a Conex box outright works out to be about the same price as renting a box for a year. If you’re needing a long-term solution for storage, buying might be a better choice.

However, when you purchase a box you’ll be responsible for maintenance and storage fees. Make sure to budget for these expenses when thinking about whether or not to purchase a Conex storage container.

Get Started With Conex Storage Solutions

Conex boxes are a great solution for anyone needing storage boxes or cargo containers. They’re highly versatile storage systems that make it easy for all kinds of businesses to transport goods anywhere in the world.

Are you ready to get started with Conex storage systems? Get in touch with our team and we’ll get you hooked up with a quote for a Conex storage solution today.