GGR365H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Vaclav Smil, Container Ship, Containerization
Document Summary
The rapid diffusion of containerization was facilitated by the fact that its initiator, Malcolm mclean, purposely did not patent his invention. Reefers are refrigerated containers and typically carry frozen goods such as food, flowers and medicine over long distances. In many developing countries, discarded containers are often used as storage, housing, office and retail structures. Stacking: the arrangement of containers, both at terminals and on modes (containership and double-stack trains) is a complex problem. At the time of loading, it becomes imperative to make sure that containers that must be taken out first are not below the pile. Commodity: marketable item produced to satisfy wants or needs. Main characteristics: they are needed by modern societies and they greatly fluctuate in price. Commodity futures: agreement to buy or sell a commodity at a specific date in the future at a specific price.
