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Containers Direct logoQuality you can see, experience you can trust.
Quality you can see, experience you can trust.

The Shipping Container - A Brief Guide

What was the shipping container built for?

Developed in the 1950s to carry cargo around the world, the shipping container became one of the most disruptive technological advancements of the last century. Decimating traditional docks like London and Liverpool by slashing the cost of international shipping, it paved the way for Asia to become the workshop of the world, at the expense of traditional manufacturing industries in Europe and North America

The rise of the shipping container has seen millions of winners and losers. Luckily for you the customer, and us at Containers Direct, we're on the winning side! Shipping containers are an ideal structure for something as simple as a cheap storage unit, right through to bold and imaginative living spaces.

How has the shipping container adapted?

For many years shipping containers were used as they came off the ship - a basic unit with a uniform width of 8ft, 20ft or 40ft long, and either 9ft 6 or 8ft 6 high. However, over the last 10 years a number of innovative and imaginative British companies have emerged treating shipping containers like building blocks; cutting them down to create shorter containers, slicing them apart to make wider containers, and transforming them into anything from portable buildings that can blend into woodland environments, to mobile luxury hotels. Containers Direct are proud to have been at the forefront of this industry!

Now you're a bit more familiar with the shipping container why not go to our Popular Containers range?

Our Popular Shipping Containers

An industry leading choice of optional extras

Our choice of upgrades can be used to adapt your container to make it fit for your particular purpose. For instance, wood cladding can help with planning permission requirements. Whether it's a steel ramp, ply lining or doors in the side, our range of modifications to second hand containers are carried out by our own skilled, in-house workforce and are offered at prices that reflect our commitment to giving our clients the best deals. When you buy a refurbished steel container from Containers Direct, you can be assured of quality and value by our 12 month guarantee.



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Contact our sales team for your no obligation quote, including delivery!

Testimonials

As a long established and reputable shipping container company, we want to instil confidence in our customers that we can deliver on our promises, and provide high quality products and service.

But don't just take our word for it, see for yourself what our past and present clients have to say about Containers Direct.
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"Overall very pleased with everything."Kevin Williams, Parklands Services NW Ltd
9th December 2024
order - a Used 10ft Container
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"I would recommend you to anyone wanting a container office, it's way better than I could've imagined. So much so that my wife is now going to purchase one for her business."Graeme Stuart
29th November 2024
order - a 10ft Modibox Office
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"The delivery person was great. Helpful and jolly."Knowlands
20th November 2024
Ordered a 3m Flat Pack Store Container
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"A great service and quality product. Everything went to plan and we are very happy with the outcome, thanks!"Day's Rental
15th November 2024
Ordered a Used 12ft Container
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"Excellent service from all concerned from start to finish. Communications from order to delivery was excellent. The instructions were straight forward and easy to follow. From start to finish it took us about an hour to have it up, secured and ready to use."Bruce Graham
14th November 2024
Ordered a 3m Flat Pack Store Container
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"Just wanted to say a big thank you for your seamless and professional customer service when looking after me when purchasing my container."Kerry, Salon On The Hill
13th November 2024
Ordered a Used 20ft Container
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Committed to Quality

We are ISOQAR Approved; certified to the ISO standard relating to Quality Management Systems, demonstrating our Company's commitment to quality. We are also members of MakeUK who champion and celebrate British manufacturing and manufacturers, and member of the Container Self Storage and Traders Association; an international organisation representing the interests of Container Self-Storage Operators, Traders and Innovators.
ISOQAR Approved
ISO Cert No. 13586-QNS-001
ISO 9001:2015
Member of MakeUK
Member of the Container Self Storage and Traders Association
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