ISBU Shipping Container Benefits

Initially, the greatest interest in ISBU Shipping Container homes and construction seemed to be the need to remove hundreds of thousands of surplus Shipping Containers sitting in the United States and other Global ports. The benefits would help the environment and save money...

[Graphics: Green Quest Research]

Was it Global surplus, or simply Global inventory?

By 2005, the news media and misinformed professionals reported that an estimated 700,000 surplus shipping containers were sitting in US ports due to the exploding growth of imports from Mainland China. This statement was never true.

It’s very important to understand this principle: there is a vast difference between the terms surplus and seasonal Inventory.
 • Surplus Inventory: Un-used; not needed
 • Seasonal Inventory: Needed, but temporarily un-used; reserved for peak seasons.

The shipping and logistics industry has peak seasons for arious commodities. During these seasons, some ports have temporary shortages, and other ports have surpluses. The containers are then moved to areas where they are needed and gradually returned to China to prepare for the peak seasons.

Every country has a Seasonal Inventory a few times a year for one reason or another. Seasonal Inventory, is not the same as Surplus inventory which needs to be sold.

No Global Surplus?

Indeed, there was some temporary surplus, but only about 100,000 units globally for a short time, but not just in the United States.

That small global surplus was quickly reduced due to the increased awareness from the news media, and the ISBU Association websites.

This surge in global interest was undoubtedly due to the awareness of the benefits the containers offered in the design and construction industry. Rugged but flexible steel modules with quick and low-cost construction were grabbing the attention of everyone everywhere.

The news media finally began correcting this surplus number after the formation of the ISBU Association in 2006 and after the Association began calculating actual totals from Dealers and Shipping Companies in 2007. Everyone was surprised to learn that the inventories of "surplus" shipping containers at US and global ports were reportedly down about 75% of what the News Media and trade professionals reported. 

However, even as the truth of no surplus was exposed, the vast interest in ISBU modules for container home construction continued. Now, the most significant interest was the incredible strength and versatility of an ISBU, not the surplus or low cost. The trend and interest in solid ISO Containers have continued and haven't stopped since.

From global surplus, to global shortages...

Global Shortages?

By February and March 2010, due to the increased consumer demand, news media, and global economy, an actual shortage of Shipping Containers and ISBU had been created.

Container manufacturers in China miscalculated the economy in 2009 and cut back too much on production. Or, as some ask, “Was it intentional?”

The shipping companies also miscalculated in 2009, or so they say. With AP-Maersk leading the frenzy, they cut back on ships for the transport of shipping containers and ISBU and closed hundreds of offices worldwide. The demand was actually increasing in early 2010, and soon, disastrous shortages were created in the shipping and ISBU industry.

Again, many ask the obvious question: “How could such knowledgeable, experienced global corporations miscalculate so badly…”

The result, ...shipping prices rose to record highs,
and the cost of shipping containers did the same.

It took nearly two (2) years for the global correction. By the spring of 2013, inventories were relatively stabilized however many global Container Dealers and related professionals were either out of business or in severe financial condition.

Container Homes Are Here To Stay (?)

After those three (3) years of much publicity, hype, and interest, it seems that ISBU modular construction was not a fad at all, but an incredible growing trend. ...not because of the US and global economy getting healthier, but because ISBU modules are so strong, easy to use, and versatile--almost like stacking blocks.

[Credit:: Green Quest Institute]

Although some builders, such as Travelodge, build a frame and then insert the ISBU's 8 or more levels high, other, even larger builders, such as Container City, and Tempo Housing, are very successful with just stacking them as the ocean shipping companies do, then connect them to each other in almost the same way ...a definite trend, not a fad.

ISBU Modules Are Unibody Construction

Although unibody construction is the strongest and most common body architecture in automobiles, SUVs, yachts, and airplanes today, you may need to realize that connecting multiple ISBU shipping containers together is also unibody construction. In fact, by connecting multiple ISBU modules together, whether multiple one-level, or multiple ten-level, you have created the ultimate unibody construction unit with far more strength than the already super stronger container alone

"The honeycomb effect"

If you are impressed with the strength and durability of just one ISBU, imagine the incredible strength when two, four, six, or 100 are connected together—top, bottom, and sides. Even with fairly extreme modifications and wall cut-outs, the strength of multiple ISBU modules is far greater than that of any conventional home or building. The total ISBU container structure becomes one single, strong “honeycomb unit.” Sweet!

The uses of Container technology construction are endless.

 Storage Boxes- safe, vandal proof
• Products and Equipment
• Internet Servers• Instant warehouse 
• Construction supplies
• Farm equipment
• Security storage
• Home storage sheds  

Modular Construction- pre-modified single units
• Construction offices• Work shops, home
• Work shops, business
• Sales offices
• Laboratories
• Shower modules
• Restrooms & Toilets• Kitchens• Canteens
• Business Kiosks
• Classrooms
• Refrigerators / Freezers
• Emergency Housing
• Emergency Office
• Computer Data Centers
• Garages
• Recreation Vehicles 

Modular Construction Blocks- multiple container units 
• Housing, traditional architecture
• Housing, low income 
• Apartments
• Condominiums
• Campus housing
• Mountain homes
• Trendy homes
• Office buildings
• Storage units
• Multi-car garages
• Commercial U-Store type storage units
• Emergency Shelters 

Benefits of ISBU construction-
• Sustainable--very!
• Recyclable, and Upcyclable
• Unibody construction. The honeycomb effect…
• Strongest modular building construction on the planet
• Earthquake resistant• Fire resistant
• Tornado / Hurricane resistant
• Strong non-corrosion Corten steel
• Extreme security
• Green construction and modifications
• Saves trees
• Ideal for multiple floors and levels
• Fast construction
• Insulation: bonds easily spray-foam, and with space-age Ceramic coatings
• Exceeds local and International Building Codes
• Easily adapted to Prefab automation
• Easily adapted to Custom homes
• Economically covered with traditional stucco, vinyl siding, woods, brick, and other cladding.
• Mobile and transport via road without special permits. Even rail and ocean shipping.

After 18 years as an organization, we have learned that the list of creative construction and artistic uses for Container technology is never-ending.