Shipping containers have become increasingly popular in New Zealand, Australia, and throughout the world. Not only are they a convenient transport option, but shipping containers are also a versatile form of storage.
There are many things you might be considering when thinking about hiring or buying a container. To make your decision easier, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we get about shipping containers. Read on to find out more.
What does a shipping container cost?
The price of a shipping container varies according to its size and style, and whether or not you add any accessories. If you aren’t ready to buy a container yet, or you only need it for a limited period, there is also the option to hire one.
NZBOX offers containers for sale and for hire. Or you could even rent to own which can help spread the payments. Explore our range of shipping containers to find the best fit for you and enquire about pricing options.
Are shipping containers waterproof?
Thanks to their durable construction, shipping containers are waterproof. Quality door seals are used during construction to prevent leaks and the materials used are robust to ensure the container remains waterproof.
Read our article about how containers are made, to learn how they are waterproofed.
Why do they retire shipping containers?
Shipping containers are tough and durable. Nevertheless, there comes a time when all containers are retired and reused for other, less strenuous purposes.
Over a period of around 20 years, shipping containers used for transporting cargo have been moved and stacked full of goods many times. They would have been exposed to rain, seawater, wind, and sunlight, which can result in the container beginning to rust or lose its durability.
To make sure that items stored or transported in a container remain safe and protected from the elements, containers are retired once they begin to show signs of age.
What happens to empty shipping containers?
Once they are retired, empty shipping containers are often used for home storage or repurposed to use as offices and sleepouts. This helps prolong the lifespan of the container and ensures it can be used for many more years in a productive way.
The use of a retired container depends on its condition and age. If an older container is still in good condition and is not ready to be retired, it may be on-sold or hired out to another customer.
Do shipping containers ever fall off ships?
Though it is very rare, shipping containers can fall off ships during rough seas or due to improper loading on a container ship. It requires skill and experience to load a ship full of containers in the most efficient way possible, and it takes time. Each container’s weight must be reported, and the containers must be stacked properly to avoid incidents, including being dislodged during shipping.
However, even if the containers have been secured properly, rough seas are unpredictable and unforeseen conditions can occur. It is unlikely that a shipping container will fall off a ship, but it can happen from time to time.
Do you need council approval for a shipping container?
The use of your shipping container will determine if you need council approval or not. If it is a temporary storage solution on your property you might not even need to obtain resource consent. However, a shipping container that’s been converted into a habitable space like a sleepout or office may require building consent to ensure it complies with New Zealand building standards.
It is recommended you check with your local council for specific rules and regulations before you relocate a shipping container onto your property.
What are the dimensions of a shipping container?
Each style of shipping container comes in a variety of sizes and dimensions, including 20ft, 40ft, and high cube containers. Depending on what you need to store or transport, finding the right sized container is easy with the wide NZBOX range.
If you are looking to find out exactly how long a 20ft shipping container is, or how wide a 40ft shipping container is, check out our page on shipping container dimensions.
How much does a shipping container weigh?
Shipping containers are large and robust and made out of strong Corten steel. This means they can weigh a substantial amount. Depending on the size of the container, the tare weight can range from 2,000kg up to around 4,000kg.
NZBOX containers are the perfect option if you want to transport goods by sea or on land, if you want to store surplus items, or if you’re looking for a retired shipping container to convert into an office or sleepout. You can even buy container homes these days from specialist container home builders. If you’re looking for a shipping container to hire, or a shipping container for sale, the team at NZBOX can help you choose the perfect option. Get in touch today to have your shipping container questions answered.
