Shipping Container FAQ

Yes.  Our secure, weatherproof, dry storage containers are perfect for general storage. Our customers use our containers to store a wide range of items including home contents, retail stock, vehicles, paperwork archives, and animal feed. Our new and used containers are strong, made out of steel, and have an anti-vandal structure, are easily converted, cost-effective, weatherproof, and come complete with heavy duty flooring. They are also intermodal and easily movable, quick and easy to site.

Our steel storage and shipping containers are delivered using a hi-ab or craned vehicle. Safety is our priority, and this is reflected in everything from the delivery of the containers to the PPE worn by our appointed persons when on site. In order to deliver the container, the vehicle has to be able to pull up parallel to the delivery site, so that the container can then be lifted using the trucks’ crane via chains, and positioned as required. Deliveries usually take place between 7am – 8pm, Monday to Friday. However we will always be as flexible and accommodating to your needs as much as possible. Container deliveries include 30 minutes on site for the driver to lift and position your unit. As a rule, the delivery drivers cannot drive over grass or muddy areas – if this is the case for your delivery, we can arrange a site visit to ensure minimum disruption and maximum success. ​

We advise that you contact your local council regarding planning permission for containers, as permissions vary between local authorities. These are considered temporary structures and in most cases it would not be required, however, if you are siting your container in a rural area, you may want to consider painting the container. For instance, painting the container green will help blend in with its surroundings, or maybe cladding the container. ​

If you require a container that is outside of the standard 10ft, 20ft and 40ft dimensions, then we can help with that! We have a number of different options such as:​

High Cube Containers: These provide an extra 1ft in height, the width will always be 8ft and the length of shipping containers remain in relatively standard lengths.

Bespoke Container Sizes: We are able to offer out of the ordinary or “special” sized containers from 4ft to 45ft.

​Converted Containers: If you require a specific length of container not listed, we are able to convert containers into anything from a site office or canteen, to a Biomass boiler housing or a toilet block.

Containers are basically steel boxes, so although they are mainly wind and water tight, condensation may occur depending on how you treat your container, or what you store in it. Preventing condensation in your shipping or storage container is easy if you follow one or a combination of the tips below.

• It seems obvious, but closing the doors during rainy weather will greatly reduce condensation.
• Use extra condensation control when storing items that hold moisture (such as food, drink, metals or white goods).
• Have Grafo-Therm applied to the roof of your container.
• Use Moisture Traps inside your container.

Yes! We have many years experience in container modifications and conversions, and can convert your container into pretty much anything you desire. Our conversions are based on customer specifications, meaning that we can bring your bespoke project to life. Our container conversion services include:

• Local services and customer visits: We work together with you and your colleagues to ensure we achieve the correct end product.
• A dedicated account manager: From initial enquiry to project build, delivery and after sales.
• CAD drawing services: We provide an accurate interpretation of your container conversion and to ensure that the container you want is the container you get.
• Full project management: Including snagging report at depot prior to delivery to your site.
• Organisation of delivery: As well as off-loading relative to your container conversion.
• Full after-sales support: We have been involved in a number of shipping container conversion projects and our fully trained, expert staff are able to guide you through your requirement from start to finish. 

Containers are manufactured to conform to DNV 2.7-1, and are suitable for the harsh offshore environmental conditions. We can supply the following offshore containers and skips:

• General Cargo Containers (closed with doors).
• Cargo Baskets (open top containers for general / special cargo).
• Tank Containers (for dangerous / non-dangerous fluids – Chemical, Acid or ISO).
• Bulk Containers (for bulk solids).
• Special Containers (for special cargo such as bottle racks).
• Offshore Service Containers (labs, workshops, stores or control stations).
• Offshore Waste Skips (for the removal and storage of waste).

Our new containers are available as blue or green, however with used containers, we can not specify or guarantee colours, as this depends on current stock holdings. If you have a preference for a container colour such as red, blue, green etc. then we advise you have your container repainted. We would paint your container with self-priming specialised container paint of your choice. We are also able to paint your container as a branding or marketing opportunity or simply to blend in to your surroundings.

Containers can be made secure by fitting a tamper proof lock to the doors. One of the most popular ways to make your container secure is using a high security Lockbox and insurance rated CISA Padlock. The high security lockbox is a steel shroud that is fitted onto the cargo doors to help protect the insurance rated padlock, which is positioned onto the steel lug. The insurance rated padlock is a hardened steel CISA lock that not only acts as a deterrent to criminals but is also cut resistant, pick resistant and tampers proof. We now also supply Keyed Alike CISA Locks and Master Key CISA Locks. Our Keyed Alike locks are also known as a suite, all padlocks are the same so they work from the same key. Our Master Key locks have different locks and keys, but one master key can over-ride the whole set (perfect for self-storage!)

Yes. You may either buy a new container for shipping or a used container. In order to use a container for shipping it needs to have a CSC Verification Plate. If your used containers’ CSC plate has expired we can arrange for your container to be re-inspected for shipping. CSC Verification can be described as a shipping containers‘passport’. It is a small metal plate fixed to the doors of the container to confirm to shipping lines that the container is structurally sound and safe to ship cargo by vessel around the world.  The container the plate is fitted to can be new or used and in any aesthetic condition, just because a container is CSC verified it does not mean that it will be a brand new, aesthetically pleasing container. As standard container shipping sizes are 20ft or 40ft, these are the sizes of container than will be CSC plated, however, specialised equipment or abnormal sizes can be plated but you should discuss your requirements with your supplier prior to purchase. ​