container traffic

Container traffic refers to a special type of container transport based on intermodal, stackable metal containers (such as air freight containers, ISO containers, etc.). These containers are manufactured according to standardised dimensions and can be efficiently loaded, unloaded, stacked, transported and transferred between different means of transport. This system had its origins in container transport in the 19th century and was further developed into standardised container transport in the early 20th century. It experienced a worldwide spread after the Second World War, which led to a significant reduction in transport costs (“container revolution”). This clearly accelerated the globalisation of trade flows.