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The legality of 45ft containers in the European intermodal marketplace: Samskip sets the record straight
The legality or otherwise of transporting 45ft containers on the European road network after 1 January 2007 has been the subject of much recent press coverage. There have been a number of conflicting or vaguely-worded statements made by various bodies, leaving shippers and road transport operators highly confused.
Samskip would like to reassure its customers that all of its 45ft containers conform to the EU Directive 96/53 and therefore can be transported without hindrance by road, rail or barge throughout Europe. There is no question regarding their legality either now or in the future.
Since 1996, Samskip and those companies it has recently acquired, including Geest North Sea Line, Seawheel and Van Dieren Maritime, have invested in 45ft containers with specially adapted corner posts and corner castings that enable them to meet all of the regulations relating to the dimensions of road vehicles operating within the EU. This is also the case with most if not all other European intermodal/shortsea operators. Where necessary, securing devices on the skeletal trailers that carry these containers have also been re-designed to guarantee legality under 96/53.
Ocean carriers, on the other hand, continued to build large numbers of standard 45ft containers that did not conform to Directive 96/53. Earlier this year, a lobby campaign was mounted on behalf of the deepsea lines to legitimise 45ft containers with conventional corner posts and corner castings. It is apparent from feedback received by Samskip that the resultant press coverage has clearly confused many European shippers.
It does seem that the EU is now minded to allow conventional 45ft deepsea containers to be moved by road but only on a national basis and only for a limited period. To encourage intermodalism, special arrangements will need to be established if such containers are to be moved by road between different EU countries. Clarification is still needed on a number of points and member states will be the final arbiters.
It does seem that the EU is now minded to allow conventional 45ft deepsea containers to be moved by road but only on a national basis and only for a limited period. To encourage intermodalism, special arrangements will need to be established if such containers are to be moved by road between different EU countries. Clarification is still needed on a number of points and member states will be the final arbiters.
The importance of the 45ft palletwide container as operated by Samskip cannot be understated. Able to load 33 Europallets, it enables the European shortsea/intermodal industry to compete on equal terms with road transport operators utilising 13.6m trailers. Consequently they provide shippers seeking more environmentally friendly or cost effective forms of transport with a serious alternative to road haulage. It is therefore essential that shippers and their logistics partners understand that the debate concerning the legality of 45ft containers is solely confined to the deepsea trades. For shortsea/intermodal operators, it is business as usual.
