UNIT45 drives on

Rotterdam based UNIT45 B.V. is now offering automotive logistics companies in Europe a range of 45ft high-cube containers fitted with the Trans-Rak car transport system. Previously, Trans-Raks have only been installed in 40ft containers for deepsea operations.

UNIT45, which focuses exclusively on the development, construction, financing and leasing of 45ft containers is currently trialling a number of 45ft x 2.5m palletwide car carrying units with its customers.

According to UNIT45 general manager Jan Koolen, with the container’s increased length, five VW Polo-sized cars can now be loaded into a single container, while the increased 2.5m width permits more space within the container to work. “Users now have a new and valuable cargo, which can be delivered right to the customer’s door. Furthermore the cars are hidden from view adding to the security against damage and theft” he said.

To operate, the retractable Trans-Rak car transport system is fitted inside a UNIT45 container and cars can be loaded from ground or trailer deck level. Once the cars are driven out of the container, the Trans-Rak wind up (using a Milwaukee drill) into the roof space of the container, so that it is clear and ready to load general cargo.

The 45ft multimodal car container was among a number of new 45ft designs unveiled by UNIT45 at the Intermodal 2006 exhibition in Hamburg. Others included a diesel-electric 45ft high-cube reefer capable of accommodating 33 europallets or 66 low height pallets loaded on a specially-developed double-deck system. Equipped with Carrier (Vector or Magic), or Thermo King (SL200 or 400) reefer units, the new design is aimed specifically at rail and inland waterway operations where on board power is not usually available. The units can run for up to five days using their onboard diesel generator.

Also on display were new 45ft high-cube palletwide garment, open top, curtainside and bulk containers. With a loading capacity of 89m3, the latter, developed in association with Nijmegen based Polar Express, is equipped with seven roof hatches and can carry a 40ft payload.