New half-height containers launched

Grindrod Intermodal has just taken delivery of 70 newly built 6metre half height containers, engineered specifically for the transportation of heavy bulk products with a maximum payload of 30 440 kilograms. This follows numerous successful road and rail trials conducted between Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal carrying various mineral mining products. At the conclusion of the trials, the rail option was measured to show a carbon footprint saving of 243%. Each container comes with a removable solid lid which controls dust and loose product – and is easily removed using a conventional forklift. Discharge of the container can either be by the conventional end-door or through the tipping hatch situated at either end – when using the tipper option cargo flow is aided by smooth steel floors and anti-corrosion lined internal walls. This versatile container will enable product to be collected at source and delivered to the packing station, Grindrod Intermodal’s chief commercial officer, George Georgiev, told FTW. Another advantage of these containers is that they can be returned double-stacked when empty on the rail wagons although, Georgiev stressed, the ideal would be to return these containers to source with incoming bulk products. Regular block rail/road loads are envisaged to commence shortly. Stacks of Grindrod Intermodal’s new half-height containers – designed as an alternative method for the inland door-to-door transportation of heavy bulk products to the Port of Durban.