Analysis of problems with containers as intermodal loading unit

Abstract

Current growth of freight flows between world economical regions stipulates increasing growth of the use of containers. They can be assumed as the most versatile type of loading units being in use all over the world. On the other hand, during the last few decades, all over the world evolved a lot of types of containers with different technological features. This in turn could become a significant problem for interoperability of different transport modes. Moreover, besides of differences in technical standards, the problem with organization of empty containers trips becomes more and more sharp. Because of these circumstances, this paper presents analysis of current state of the world container market, description of problems related to empty container trips and overview of the latest technological developments of the containers in the EU.