Intermodal 2006 packs in the crowds

This year’s event saw a number of major announcements and product launches. Canadian company Conforce International, a specialist in the repair and sale of containers, launched a new flooring system, EKO-FLOR, designed to replace traditional wooden floors. Cakeboxx of the US introduced its revolutionary new doorless cargo container concept, which reduces risks of theft and terrorism and facilitates tracking.

Unit45 of the Netherlands displayed its diverse range of 45 ft containers, manufactured in China for supply to intermodal customers in Europe. They included new curtain-sided, bulk and reefer products, as well as the 2,500th unit to join the company’s lease fleet. Attracting special interest were a 45 ft container fitted with the Trans-Rak car transport system and a double-stack reefer unit capable of carrying 66 pallets.

The Intermodal conference attracted more than 100 delegates and focused on the need for effective transport capacity management across the European transport network. On a lighter note, the exhibition again featured the Art-on-a-Box project, an initiative by the Port of Amsterdam to raise its international profile. Twelve Dutch artists have been commissioned over a four-year period to paint 40 ft containers with imagery representing the city port.