Container parts
corner post
A corner post is a vertical steel member at each corner of a container. It joins the top and bottom corner castings and carries stacking loads down through the frame. A container has four corner posts. The posts give the box its strength and are welded to the rails.
Why it matters
Corner posts hold up the box. When containers stack, the weight goes through the corner castings and down the posts, not through the walls. For operators, a bent or cracked post means a unit may be unsafe to lift or stack. Forklifts, trucks and tilt-bed winches can cause such damage during handling. The wall panels are thin and can look worse than they are, while post damage can hide behind a small dent. A common mistake is to patch the sheet metal and leave a weakened post. During inspection, look straight along each post for bows, kinks, cracks and bad welds.
Read: Shipping container sizes and dimensions for rental fleets
Definition source: containerhandbuch.de
Related terms
corner casting
A corner casting is a cast steel fitting at each corner of a container. Eight of them sit at the corners. Cranes, twistlocks and lashing gear grip them to lift, stack and secure the box. They are also called corner fittings.
top side rail
A top side rail is the long steel beam along the upper edge of each side of a container. It joins the upper corner castings and supports the roof. Each box has two. Together with the bottom rails they form the frame.
bottom side rail
A bottom side rail is the long steel beam along the lower edge of each side of a container. It joins the corner castings and holds the cross members that support the floor. Each box has two. It is a main part of the base frame of the box.
container inspection
A container inspection is a check of a container's outside, inside, doors, floor and roof for damage, leaks and wear. Buyers do it before purchase. Operators do it when units go out and come back. It can be a quick look or a formal review to a standard.
container repair
Container repair is work that fixes damage to a container, such as holes, dents, floors and doors. The IICL repair manual says the purpose of any repair is to restore structural integrity so the container can work safely in intermodal transport. Methods include straightening, welding, patching, inserting and replacing parts.
container survey
A container survey is a formal inspection of a container by a qualified surveyor, with a written result. Surveys check that a container meets safety standards, such as the CSC, before shipping. They can also support valuation and damage assessment. Costs vary by provider.
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