Have you ever wondered what is a Conex when you hear the word? Conex has a long history that is closely related to the world’s shipping industry, which has existed since World War II.
Long before the “storage container” term we know today, people used Conex to ship goods between countries. Conex has significantly changed the way we handle logistics and design buildings.
Then, what is a Conex?
Conex is a short form of “container express.” Invented during the Korean War, the Conex box was used to transport and store supplies. Later on, Malcolm McLean reintroduced the Conex box in two standard lengths, 20′ and 40′, allowing it to be transported by sea, rail, and road.
In this modern era, the box is better known as larger ISO-standard shipping containers and is widely used as shipping containers by many companies around the world.
The History of Conex Box
The history of Conex Box began in the 1950s during the Korean War. However, before the box was initiated, there was the Transporter, Conex’s predecessor. At the beginning of World War II, the US Army used transporters to send supplies to the battlefield.
At that time, the length of time to load and unload ships resulted in a lot of cargo being delayed at ports, which led to theft and damage of supplies during transit.
In late 1952, the Transportation Corps developed the Conex to replace the Transporter. The Conex was used in Korea because it was thought to reduce theft, damage, and delivery time of goods. Therefore, after its proven success in Korea, Conex boxes were initiated for faster and more convenient delivery.
By 1967, the US military had over 100,000 Conex boxes to support the escalation of the Vietnam War. Conex’s usage during the Vietnam War included freight storage, weapons storage, command posts, pharmacies, portable warehouses, and bunkers.
The Usage of Conex Box
A Conex box is usually made from corten steel, a high-quality and corrugated steel type. This type of material allows the box to be stacked during shipping and storage. After the completion of the Vietnam War, people used Conex boxes for various things such as:
- Shipping various types of goods overseas.
- Alternative housing, pop-up shops, bars, and cafes.
- Modular and on-site offices.
- A place to store goods such as food, household appliances, agricultural equipment, vehicle spare parts, etc. that are safe and durable.
- Warehouse storage for perishable goods and other items.
- Equipment and tool storage at home and other locations.
- Storage solutions for various workplaces.
- Container relocation and home renovation.
In addition to the box usage above, you can convert it into more space. Therefore, many people love Conex box for their versatility which allows them to expand their use beyond their traditional purpose.
Conex Box Vs Storage Container
Decades after the birth of the Conex box, there have been many other types of boxes with similar functions. Of the many types of boxes, the most popular one is the storage container. Check out the following table to know the basic comparison of the Conex box and Storage box!
The Comparison of Conex Box and Storage Container
| Conex Box | Storage Container |
| Available in sizes 20’ and 40’ | Available in sizes 10’, 20’, and 40’ |
| Watertight
(is not waterproof but provides dry storage for your goods) |
Watertight
(is not waterproof but provides dry storage for your goods) |
| Made from corrugated steel or corten steel | Made from maritime-grade corten steel, a combination of steel and other metals. |
When we analyze both of the boxes from their shape, there is almost nothing that distinguishes Conex boxes from storage containers. Both are defined as large steel boxes used to ship goods. What differentiates them is only their names as the container industry has branded their products with various names over time.
People use multiple terms for the same thing because of historical and other differences. For example, English people use “football” to define a sport that requires two teams to kick a ball to score a goal, while people in the US call it “soccer”. Regardless of the name, those two words mean the same thing.
Conclusion
Ever since the Korean War in the 1970s, Conex boxes have been considered an efficient tool to ship goods. You can use a Conex box to ship small items that require little space or extra protection. However, if you need a much bigger space or even a smaller one, you can try a storage container from Tradecorp. Tradecorp provides containers of various sizes ranging from 10′, 10.5′, 20′, 40′, to 45′. If you are interested in purchasing shipping containers from Tradecorp, fill out the quote form immediately to be contacted by our salesperson.