ABSTRACT
Containerization is a method of distributing merchandise in a unitized form thereby permitting an intermodal transport system to be developed providing a possible combination of rail, road, canal and maritime transport. The system is long established and was in being at the turn of the century in a somewhat less sophisticated form. It came more into use in the North American coastal trade in the 1930s when the vessels were called Van ships. Today we have seen the evolution of the fourth generation of container ships as the benefits of containerization become more attractive on a worldwide scale thereby aiding rising living standards and facilitating trade expansion.
