Shipping containers have been a hot commodity lately, and for good reason. Those looking for a physical structure to channel their specific wants and needs have lately turned to repurposed shipping containers. At Bob’s, we offer affordable pricing so that anyone can get their hands on a repurposed container. However, some factors have already affected the expansion of our revolutionary business. One big factor has been the global effects of the Suez Canal blockage. Other factors that may have impacts on shipping container pricing include supply and demand, changes in a container’s lifespan, and used vs. new shipping containers. Let’s talk more about all of those factors.
The Ever Given Cargo Carrier
Back in March, a ship coined “The Ever Given” hauling over 20,000 shipping containers from China to the Netherlands turned sideways in the Suez Canal. This caused the ship’s bow and stern to jam and stick to two of the canal’s walls. The immobilization of The Ever Given caused another 400 vessels with shipping containers to pile up in a queue. The Ever Given was finally able to get going again after six long days of blocking vessel traffic. The Suez Canal was seeing an average of 51 vessels per day before the blockage, so it has unfortunately set back purchases in the shipping container industry and created pain points for most shipping container supply chains.
Due to the Suez Canal blockade back in March there has been a shortage of shipping containers for personal usage. We at Bob’s have done our best to bring in the same quantity and quality of shipping containers from trusted sellers. However, prices have fluctuated recently due to the crisis that happened with The Ever Given.
Shipping Container Lifespan
With that being said, there is good news pertaining to the repurposed shipping container industry. There have been changes made to the lifespan of shipping containers. Typically, containers will be in service for 10-12 years before being retired and deemed not seaworthy. However, it has been considered safe to keep containers in service for up to 30 years if they’re not used heavily. Bob’s has extensive experience in preparing used containers by taking necessary precautions to make sure they’re ready for personal use. The age of containers doesn’t necessarily make them bad or unusable, but they do require touch-ups. Having the right team behind you can double your container’s lifespan (or more).
Shipping Container Condition
New containers are harder to come by now that there’s been a wrench thrown in the shipping container business. However, new containers are still making their way onto Bob’s worksite. These containers are brand new and only used once, technically considered “one-trip” containers. They’re immediately ready to be painted with no treatment and come with little to no imperfections. The difference between new and used is not huge, but if you are looking to shave a few dollars off your cost, a used container may be a better option.
For more pricing information at Bob’s Containers, please contact sales@bobscontainers.com or call us at 833-265-3269.
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