3.9 HOW HAS CONTAINERISATION ACCELERATED GLOBALISATION?

Question 1

What is containerisation?

Answer 1

A method of shipping freight in relatively uniform, sealed, movable containers whose contents do not have to be unloaded at each point of transfer

Question 2

How have containerisation transformed global trade?

Answer 2

• Transporting goods in separate bags or boxes wastes time and the labour is intensive
• Overall, containers help to reduce costs and increase the efficiency

Question 3

Advantages of containers:

Answer 3

1. Flexibility
2. Speed of transportation
3. Durability
4. Safety and security

Question 4

What is flexibility?

Answer 4

Containers can transport a very large variety of goods ranging from grains of food products to machinery

Question 5

What is speed of transportation?

Answer 5

With bigger and more powerful cargo ships and modern container handling equipment transhipment times have reduced drastically

Question 6

What is durability?

Answer 6

Depending on the usage a shipping container can last for 10 to 25 years

Question 7

What is safety and security?

Answer 7

Intermodal containers are safe and secure