The future of containerisation has a name: Cargoshell
Cargoshell, the new container concept, offers several crucial innovations whilst retaining the successful qualities of the current container. Of particular significance is the substantial CO2 reduction that will be realised by replacing the current container worldwide with Cargoshell. This decrease in CO2 reduction does not involve higher costs. Saving weight and space reduces operating costs, which also makes Cargoshell attractive from a business economic viewpoint. Monitoring the cargo hold during transport guarantees better quality control of the cargo. And last but not least, the large-scale global introduction of Cargoshell will benefit marine safety, as it will be monitored by means of good track and trace systems that are part and parcel of Cargoshell. International patents protect all the innovations.

Click here to discover how Cargoshell is folded up in 30 seconds.



Fewer CO2 emissions
- Cargoshell is made of composite material and is therefore much lighter than a steel container. Transporting a light container consumes less energy (generated from fossil fuels), resulting in a considerable CO2 reduction.
- The volume of empty steel containers is just as high as that of full containers. The volume of empty Cargoshells is much smaller because these new containers can be folded up when they have been emptied. This means that several empty Cargoshells can be transported at one time. This innovation also reduces the fuel consumption and the associated CO2 emissions. An additional benefit is a big reduction in the transport of empty containers. When all the steel containers have been replaced by Cargoshells, the number of transport kilometres will decrease by 75%. This will save 10,000 transport movements in the port of Rotterdam alone, representing 250 fewer trucks a day during peak hours.
- As Cargoshells are lighter, less energy is needed for movements by crane. Extra energy is saved (in the form of CO2 emissions) by moving several empty, folded Cargoshells in a single hoisting movement.
- The composite of which Cargoshell is made also has advantages for climate-controlled transport. Composite is an insulating material. A better-insulated container can be developed for climate controlled transport. Less energy will then be needed to maintain the container’s temperature.

Efficiency benefit by saving space
- The storage of empty containers is a major problem: they take up valuable space. Cargoshells can be folded, thereby occupying only a quarter of the original volume. Total replacement by Cargoshells will take up at least 75% less space, representing an exceptionally attractive saving in terms of expensive square metres.

Maintaining the quality and hygiene of the cargo
- The insulating nature of composite makes it easier to apply wall insulation in a Cargoshell than in a steel container. Consequently, virtually no internal condensation occurs, so the cargo is better protected against humidity. Thanks to insulation, variable weather conditions and temperature have less influence on the cargo. This expands the opportunity to transport in particular more vulnerable cargoes. It is conceivable that cargoes that now have to be transported under refrigeration will require no cooling in a better-insulated Cargoshell.
- Cargoshells have vapour-tight composite walls. Thanks to these walls the interior temperature is easier to control.
- Composite is a hygienic material. It is not a nutrient medium for fungi and insects, nor can it harbour any fungi or insects.
- Composite is a low-maintenance material. It does not corrode and is easy to clean.

Tracking & tracing / monitoring the cargo
- The composite of which Cargoshells are made admits radio signals. Signals transmitted by GPS satellites can therefore be received without any problem and information can be sent without disruption, for example for position finding. As composite does not disturb radio signals, transmitting and receiving equipment can be built in anywhere.
- Through the use of built-in GPS devices, Cargoshells can be located anywhere at any time. Thanks to optimum tracking & tracing the logistic process can be improved for transport, transfer and storage.
- By miniaturising electronic equipment and thanks to the ability of composite to admit signals devices to carefully monitoring the conditions in the Cargoshell can be built in. The status of the cargo can therefore be constantly monitored (might anything have affected the cargo?).
- Proven advanced electronics and IT technology can be applied so that the position of the Cargoshells and the condition of the cargoes can be monitored remotely.

Less pollution, greater safety
- A paint coating is needed in order to prevent steel containers from becoming corroded. Composite does not corrode if it comes into contact with the open air and seawater. Therefore no protective coating is needed for the production of Cargoshells, not even for colouring purposes, because composite can be manufactured in any required colour. This also means that no coating needs to be touched up or reapplied during the lifetime of a Cargoshell, as is the case with a steel container. The environment is not polluted by flaking paint and metal particles. Tons of paint are required every year to protect the current steel containers. Saving on paint represents considerable CO2 savings as well.
- Containers that are washed overboard are a danger to shipping and a source of contamination if they sink to the seabed. A built-in GPS system allows the container to be traced quickly and recovered from the sea.

Reducing costs
- An important justification for replacing steel containers by Cargoshells that are made of composite is the environmental benefit (CO2 reduction). The new concept offers additional ways of bringing down the financial costs.
- The following cost reductions are possible:
1. Lower Maintenance & Repair costs.
2. Lower costs for storing empty containers in the empty container depot.
3. Lower costs for transporting empty containers, as several empty containers can be delivered simultaneously to the shipping agent.
4. Lower costs arising from contamination of products, thanks to the smooth internal structure of Cargoshells.
5. Lower sea freight costs because of a reduction of the number of cargo slots for empty return transport.
6. Lower costs arising from extra provisions for ventilating products when using traditional containers.

Here you can see a summary compiled by a group of students at the Rotterdam University, giving comparative cost reductions when using the Cargoshell. You can also watch the presentation here.