As a general rule, buying a used sea container is much more profitable than buying a new one. This is due to the fact that the module has a certain percentage of depreciation. Although this should not affect the performance in any way. In this article, we will consider all factors that may affect the cost of a container.

Factors that affect the cost of a container

Sea containers have a lot of possible uses. For this reason, they are very popular among businessmen in particular. However, not everyone knows how to choose the right container and what affects its cost.

Equipment prices are affected by:

1. Type of installation. There is dry cargo, refrigerated and special. The latest models, due to the special technical parameters of additional installations, are more expensive, even in used condition;

2. The size. In the used configuration there are block containers for 10, 20, 30, 40, and 45 feet. All of them differ in length: by 3, 6, 9, 12, and 13.5 meters, respectively. In width in the standard modification, they are 2.4 m each, and 2.5 m in height. Although there may be an option with an increased capacity in width or height – Pallet Wide or High Cube. This is more expensive;

3. Modification. In addition to the standard Dry Cube size, dry-cargo block containers have modules without a roof – Open Top. The price is affected by its type – removable hard doors or a soft tested coating;

4. Download type. Models with standard side loading are the cheapest. Options with side doorways most often come out a little more expensive. Even more expensive is the purchase of a modification with duplicated doors – on both sides or on the side and from the end;

5. State. This is an evaluation criterion, which consists of a combination of factors: year of manufacture, duration and intensity of operation, quality characteristics, and serviceability. It makes no sense to buy a non-new block container, even cheaper, and then invest in its repair.

How do you determine if a used block is in good condition?

If you are not a specialist in logistics or rigging, then at first glance it is not always easy to evaluate the technical characteristics of a used sea container. The following tips will help you make the right choice.

Tip number 1. It makes sense to contact a specialist. To do this, attract a knowledgeable person from your environment or entrust this matter to the employees of your company responsible for the transport and logistics direction.

Tip number 2. It is good if it is possible to purchase a product, not from an online catalog but to examine it with your own eyes in the terminal before buying it. There are places in St. Petersburg where you can make a choice and visually examine the state of the module.

Tip number 3. Trust only trusted sellers. If a company values ​​its reputation, then it is definitely not interested in selling low-quality, incomplete, or handicraft products. For all used containers, certifying documents and an inspection certificate are provided. Plus, the module is transferred with a supply contract, delivery and acceptance certificate, a bill of lading, and an invoice.

Is it worth spending?

When choosing a new or used analog container for the transportation of dry heavy cargo, some factors are taken into account. Among them is the peculiarity and intensity of use. For transport companies that use the module on an ongoing basis, it makes no sense to buy an already worn one. They need a new block that will last a long time. For those who use the container from time to time or plan to re-equip it later, there is nothing to overpay for a new container. Such a block can be used as temporary housing for builders and workers, refugees, and migrants. Recently, the trend of country and garage construction from a box with a metal frame has been relevant.

Similarly, it makes sense to consider buying a container to save storage space. Renting capital buildings or erecting them on the territory of a leased property complex can be costly. And the purchase of a sea container and its modernization for the needs of storage facilities is a reasonable waste of money. In this case, it makes no sense to overpay for a new block.

A used container is bought with a limited amount of funds. This solution is worth considering especially when you need not one, but several blocks. Companies that are engaged in the independent delivery of raw materials or consumables for production depend on the speed and completeness of deliveries. Therefore, they will be interested in such a proposal.

Container age

Most shipping containers are not sold until they are 10-12 years old. Some blocks are used even for 18-20 years. The main reason for the sale is that the shipping line or leasing company has not fully utilized the working life of the container and there are still several years of useful “sea life” left. 10-12 years is generally considered a good time to sell as maintenance and repair costs start to increase and if a container can be sold at a reasonable price it makes sense to do so.

Keep in mind that when you ask for the age of a container, the seller will probably not give you an exact figure, but will suggest a range, such as 10-12 years. More often than not, this does not mean that the seller is lying. The fact is that to determine the exact age of the transport block, it is necessary to check the individual information of the CSC.

Summary

For sea transportation, a special container is used, which is a high-strength structure that protects the goods inside from all kinds of influences (mechanical, environmental, etc.). The cost of such a container depends on several characteristics: dimensions, manufacturer, features, etc. If you’re dreaming of buying a container to convert it into a business space, look no further than Pelican Containers. The company offers containers of various sizes suitable for immediate use.