Swap body
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A swap body, exchangeable container or interchangeable unit,[1] is one of the types of standard freight containers for road and rail transport.
Based on and very similar to the more widespread
On the other hand, swap bodies do not have upper corner fittings, are not stackable and must be lifted by the bottom frame. Thus, they require special handling when transported by rail and are unsuitable for ship-based overseas transportation.[2]
Swap bodies take advantage of the large number of trailers used to carry standard ISO containers. The design of swap bodies and roller containers is optimized to minimize empty weight, saving on trucking fuel cost (less dead weight to be transported) and the cost of building reloading terminals[clarification needed].[3]
Due to security concerns,[clarification needed] an increasing number of swap bodies have a hard surface instead of curtains and tarpaulins.
Swap bodies are typically more expensive than equivalent payload ISO containers. This is because the ISO containers used in Europe are typically manufactured in China, whereas swap bodies are made in Europe (central Europe and the UK). This extra cost is offset by the lighter weight of the body and increased cargo capacity, resulting in fuel savings during transport.
Many swap bodies are fitted with four up-folding legs under their frame.[4] These legs make it possible to change, or swap, their body from one carriage to another, or to leave the swap body at a destination, without using extra equipment [4] such as a crane or hoist.
Special swap bodies may have more doors or sliding panels than ordinary hard boxes for trucks, railroad cars, or sea containers. This feature makes unloading and loading faster and easier.
Many swap bodies are fitted with keyhole tracks. These secure a range of extras such as shoring bars and cargo nets to extend its uses in various applications. Recently a second flooring using folding shelves has been used to aid postal companies.
Special steel frames or racks are available in certain
All swap bodies are subject to extensive non-destructive (in most cases) testing, some in-house others not, regulated by certifying authorities.
Basic standardization is set with
Swap bodies in Europe are all manufactured to a DIN standard of DIN EN 283. In the United States there are no standard sizes. Demountable Concepts, Inc., however maintains compliance will all applicable cargo securement standards for its swap bodies.
See also
- CargoBeamer
- Containerization
- Containerlift
- Roller container
- Semi-trailer
- Sidelifter
- Tank chassis
- ULD
Notes
- ^ "Das Logistik-Glossar" [The Logistics Glossary]. DHL Logbook. DHL. 2008.
- ^ ICF Consulting Ltd. (13 October 2003), Economic Analysis of Proposed Standardisation and Harmonisation Requirements, Final Report (PDF), The European Commission, archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2010
- ISSN 1232-3829.
- ^ a b "Swap bodies". DFDS Logistics. 2014.