SEA-GO ING containers have been “stretched” to 53-foot to integrate into the US trucking system. According to Ron Widdows, CEO of APL, the 53-foot container is the standard for US internal transport systems. But 53-foot boxes have not been strong enough for ocean transport. Importers ship cargo to the US West Coast in 20, 40 or 45-foot boxes, then transfer to 53-foot containers at US ports for truck or rail transport to the final destination, he says. The first ‘oceancapable’ 53-foot containers will be deployed from November 7 on APL’s premier South China to Los Angeles service.
