New generation curtain-sided container shows its tougher side

4 May, 2016 – Samskip has committed to enhancing multimodal as a transport option by introducing the next generation of 45ft curtain-sided containers, after full trials of new units designed for enhanced endurance.

The 45ft curtain-sided container meets transportation needs where ease of side access for loading and discharging of goods is a must. However, its unique advantage – the curtain sidewall – can at times also be its weakness, as it is vulnerable to damage compared to a regular 45ft container.

Samskip has worked on improving curtain-sider specifications to achieve the twin goals of better reliability and lower repair costs. Over the last two years, two prototype curtain-sided containers, built in China, have been tested extensively across Samskip’s service network.

Enhanced features
The new curtain-sided container features improved damage-resistance, establishing further service reliability, through the following design enhancements:

• New top rail – protecting the curtain rail from damages from top and side
• New curtain-runners – top quality and able to resist very low temperatures
• Stronger curtain by integrating reinforced belts
• New type of ratchet (used to tighten and secure the curtain)
• Additional lashing eyes inside and outside the container for better load securing

To date, 150 curtain-sided containers have been built. Samskip intends to phase out and replace older curtain-sided containers during the second half of 2016.

Note to editors:

Samskip operates one of Europe’s largest multimodal container logistics systems. The Samskip network has the flexibility to move containers door-to-door between over 30 countries from the United Kingdom and Ireland to Russia, Scandinavia, Poland, the Baltic States, Finland and Iceland in the north to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia in Southern and Central Europe.

Samskip offers a wide range of routing options, utilising road, rail, sea and inland waterways as appropriate to provide the best combination of rate and transit time to suit individual customer requirements and preferences. It has over 13,000 containers at its disposal, ranging from 20ft to 45ft pallet-wide high cube containers including reefers, curtain-siders and flat-racks.