What are the advantages of sending goods by container ship?

A container is an internationally standardised packing box for cargo in which goods can be safely stowed away, stored and transported. It is designed for the most efficient use of space and for any type of transportation, be it by road, rail or sea. Standard ocean shipping containers are weatherproof, made of steel or similar material, constructed to withstand the high forces to which they may be subjected in heavy seas, and usually designed and sized to permit their efficient interchange for connecting with intermodal systems for inland rail or highway movement. Shipping containers are available in a variety of configurations that include end opening, side opening, half heights, open top, flatrack, refrigerated, liquid bulk (tank), and modular (quadcon/tricon).