All New Shipping Containers are Used
One thing that must be understood is that there are no “new” shipping containers in Cape Town and South Africa, they are not manufactured in Cape Town or South Africa in a factory and made ready to be used. Most shipping containers are manufactured in China and then distributed throughout the world. The closest to a new container you will get is a “one tripper” meaning that it was transported on a cargo carrier at-least once from its date of manufacture.
The terms below outline the grades of used shipping containers available on the market in Cape Town and South Africa:
- CW, Cargo Worthy- meets export specifications and structural requirements.
- WWT, Wind and water tight – no leaks whether air or water.
- As-is, Voetstoets, needs work, TLC etc.
Shipping containers are robust and made to last, in reality there is no real lowering in the value of a one tripper vs. a freshly manufactured shipping container. Most shipping container depots have strict handling regulations and only employ experienced riggers and container movers, like us at RigRite, to transport the shipping containers from the Depots to the customers premises. This ensures no damage to the containers and they arrive in good “as new” condition.
Think of it like a car that is bought as a demo model vs. off the showroom floor. Demo models have been driven and tested by potential customers and are not in un-driven direct from the factory condition. The same way the “newest” shipping container you will get would of at least been in transit once before purchase. Like a used car gets traded in, so do the containers, as their service life decreases, so does their condition, however even long after decommission you can still find “A-grade” shipping containers which have been well kept.
Grades of Used Shipping Containers
A Grade
As new, Like new, one trip containers. Mainly originating from China, not brand new containers manufactured in South Africa, has spent one trip on a cargo ship since it was manufactured. “Brand new” containers do not exist in South Africa as such. PTI reports, pre-trip inspection reports available from reputable container dealers, like ALMAR .
B Grade
Under 5 years old, can have numerous trips on cargo vessels and condition is to be assessed, eligible for grading as CW or Cargo Worthy and would generally be WWT Wind and Water tight.
C Grade
Older than 5 years service life, Can be graded as WWT, wind and water tight, rarely can be CW cargo worthy without some refurbishment work done to the container. Often sold Voets Toets or in “as-is” condition which often has the following defects:
- dents,
- rust,
- leaks,
- hinge damage,
- mold,
- warped panels,
- torn door seals
- worn sealant inside container
Shipping containers can be refurbished and repaired to bring them back up to standard, however this may only make them usable in a shipping container conversion locally rather than cargo worthy or export quality.
All shipping containers available on the resale market in South Africa are used which are graded in terms of condition and age.
