Premier Box Shipping Containers

Urban Agriculture, Food Production and Shipping Containers

Did you know that by 2050 more than twice as many of our current population will be living in cities or urban areas?

An increasing population needs to be fed and the world needs to create more food. Rising costs of production on traditional farms due to such things as drought or flood and increased overheads has seen many farmers struggling to keep their farms tenable or simply walking away from their land. As a result many of our ‘staples’ are not the same quality as we’ve enjoyed in the past or have dramatically increased in price.

People are looking for a viable alternative, and urban agriculture is that alternative.

What is Urban Agriculture?

Urban agriculture is the practice of growing, harvesting, cultivating, processing and distributing food in towns and cities. The most significant difference between rural and urban agriculture is that urban agriculture is integrated into the urban economic and ecological system. Crops are produced using local labour and supplied to local consumers. Typical urban resources are utilised, such as organic waste for compost and waste water for irrigation.

Why Urban Agriculture?

Urban agriculture is healthy and natural and because it is produced near the point of consumption it is a better, fresher alternative to crops that have been transported half way across the country before it gets to your table. Because more people are opting to live in cities and towns, urban agriculture is a more sustainable form of food supply for urbanites and there is much less transportation cost involved.

Food production is integral to Australia’s economic and social prosperity and important for improving both living conditions for people during climate change, and to maintain and develop businesses and employment.

How Can a Shipping Container Be Used?

Due to limited space in cities and urban areas and with increasing pollution, shipping containers are the ideal vessel to grow organic crops.

Shipping containers can be erected anywhere and cultivating crops within a controlled environment is not dependent on the climate.

Shipping containers can be fitted with tiers of growing platforms with the use of water (with added nutrients) rather than soil.

Monitors for temperature, humidity, etc can be installed and can even be remotely controlled via your iPhone! Shipping containers can also be customised to meet your needs e.g. by adding a window or a door.

What is the Benefit of Using a Shipping Container?

By ‘stacking’ rows of hydroponic crops vertically, space is used more economically. Hydroponic crops use 90% less water than traditional farms so by using only water, rather than soil, you can triple the production of traditional plants.

Due to the enclosed, controlled environment of a shipping container it is not necessary to use pesticides and there is less need for fertiliser, therefore satisfying the trend towards healthier organic food options.

There is no need for natural lighting so not having any windows does not present a problem by using a shipping container. Instead of sunlight, LED lighting (red and blue only in some instances) is used - this changes the spectrum slightly over the course of the day to stimulate different growing phases in the plants.

Shipping containers can be sited close to the end users e.g. local restaurants and blocks of apartments, so crops can go from harvest to your plate in just a matter of hours.

Seeing is Believing!

Shipping Container Greenhouse

This Urban Farm Unit (UFU) was designed by Damien Chivialle and made by using as shipping container at ground level and constructing a glasshouse on the top.

The unit can easily be moved to other locations if necessary to meet the needs of local residents.

Urban Farm Units utilising shipping containers are a way of re-thinking about the way food is produced and distributed … read more »

Podponics Brings Produce to the City

Podponics is a US based company who have been converting shipping containers into hydroponic farms that can be located anywhere there’s a spare bit of land. They believe that by growing crops near the point of consumption it will create a more sustainable food source for the world’s expanding population.

Currently, Podponics is mainly selling its produce to local restaurants - produced with no pesticides and recycled water … read more »

Looking to the Future

With the decrease in available land that is suitable for growing crops; the increase of urbanites; and the advances in technology, Urban Farm Units made from old shipping containers will certainly make an impact on urban agriculture into the future.

We’ll be seeing hydroponic farms created in old shipping containers wherever there is a vacant piece of land! Year-round locally grown food in an urban setting.

Teach Our Kids Healthier Eating Habits

What better place to teach kids about urban agriculture than in the school yard!

In August 2012 the government made a commitment to a healthy eating plan which is teaching healthy eating habits to primary school aged children all over Australia - the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program which received a further $5.4 million to the already $12.8 million committed in 2008-9.

An evaluation of the program in March 2013 showed the real difference it has made to students around Australia … read more »

Schools which meet certain criteria for disadvantage can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help with the establishment of garden infrastructure and to offset teacher training costs … So come on Principals - go out and buy a shipping container and create your own Urban Farm Unit and get your students on the right track to develop skills to enjoy healthy food choices.

Where Do I Get a Shipping Container?

Premier Box have a fleet of containers for sale or hire ready for immediate delivery to the site you’ve found to create your own Urban Farm Unit. Premier Box offers the most cost effective and efficient shipping container solutions available.

Contact them today on 1800 601 194 or get an online quote.

What You Should Know About Corten Steel

If you’ve ever wondered how shipping containers withstand the harsh and often damp environments they are used in without rusting away, the secret to their longevity may very well be in the type of steel used in their construction: Cor-Ten steel.

What is Cor-Ten Steel?

Cor-Ten steel is a weathering steel traditionally used in the construction of shipping containers. It exhibits increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion when compared to unalloyed steels by forming a firmly adhering protective rust-coloured oxide layer, or patina, on its surface. 

Non-Weathering Steel VS Cor-Ten Steel

Non-weathering steel has a porous oxide layer that holds moisture and promotes ongoing corrosion. After a certain time (dependent on conditions), the rust layer that forms on the steel will delaminate from the surface of the metal, exposing the surface and causing even more damage, giving shipping containers not made of Cor-Ten steel, such as aluminium containers, a useful lifespan of only 6 years. 

Cor-Ten steel reacts very differently to its environment by controlling the rate at which oxygen in the atmosphere can react with the surface of the metal, reducing further corrosion and formation of rust typically experienced by non-weathering steel. The layer protecting the surface develops and regenerates continuously when subjected to the influence of the weather. This process usually stabilises after 2-3 years and corrosion almost ceases completely, giving shipping containers made of Cor-Ten steel a lifespan of 15 years.

How Was Cor-Ten Steel Developed?

The United States Steel Corporation developed Cor-Ten steel in the 1930s for use in railway coal wagons and as a steel substitute for bridge building where maintenance of the underside was particularly difficult. This high-strength, low alloy, weldable steel was shown to possess good weather resistance in many atmospheric conditions without the need for protective coatings such as paint, which subsequently lent itself to further civil engineering applications in the early 1960s. While Cor-Ten is the primary brand name for the corrosion resistant products that were developed by the United States Steel Corporation, Cor-Ten has been licensed to be produced by other steel manufacturers. 

Properties of Cor-Ten

Cor-Ten steel gets its properties through careful manipulation of the alloying elements (up to 2.5%), such as copper, nickel and chromium, added to steel during the production process. There are two different types of Cor-Ten steel- Cor-Ten A and Cor-Ten B. They differ primarily in the amounts of phosphorus alloyed into the mixture, and their uses reflect the different properties imparted to the steel. Cor-Ten A is typically produced as a sheet or coil (from 1.0mm up to 12mm) and has applications in cladding and ductwork. Cor-Ten B is more commonly produced as plate (15mm up to 50mm). Cor-Ten A’s increased phosphorus and copper content assists in the production of the oxide patina that forms on the metal’s surface, thus reducing its susceptibility to rust and corrosion. 

Applications

Not only is Cor-Ten steel used in the production of shipping containers, it has also traditionally been used in the construction of bridges, rail cars, transmission towers, chimneys and ships. More recently, Cor-Ten has made an appearance in architectural features and used extensively in buildings such as The RSC Courtyard Theatre in Warwickshire, where the external walls were constructed out of Cor-Ten A. The design firm behind The RSC Courtyard Theatre, Ian Ritchie Architects, states on their website that Cor-Ten is “extremely viable when used appropriately. One vitally important aspect in designing with COR-TEN® is to understand the need for it to cycle between being wet and dry.” 

The Wet-Dry Cycle

A requirement for the formation of the protective patina is regular wetting and curing of the surface. The weathering process is dependent on the aggressiveness of the environment into which the steel is placed, and wet and salt-laden air environments may prevent the formation of the protective layer, making adequate ventilation essential. Extra protection against the elements can be achieved through painting the Cor-Ten, and the requirements for painting weathering steel are much the same as for normal grades of steel. One significant advantage that occurs when doing this (as is common in containerised storage) is that damage to the paint does not result in under-creep corrosion to the surrounding painted area.

Selecting a Cor-Ten Steel Shipping Container

Those seeking to hire or purchase a shipping container should always check with their supplier that the container being provided is constructed of Cor-Ten steel. This will ensure the container’s longevity and that an inferior product is not being supplied. Premier Box Shipping Containers is an Australian company providing shipping containers of the highest standard for rent, lease and sale, and offer immediate delivery in most areas of Australia. With 20 years combined experience in the shipping container industry, Premier Box offers the most cost effective, efficient and dependable shipping container solutions available. Call them now on 1800 601 194 or get a quote online.

The Best Way to Build a Level Foundation for your Shipping Container

In an earlier post, Top 8 Points to Consider When Buying or Hiring a Shipping Container, we discussed the need for a level foundation to place your shipping container on. Whether you’re hiring a container for a short term storage solution or buying a container as a workshop or shed, it’s important that you plan out your foundation properly. A solid, well prepared foundation will help to keep your shipping container stable and square, and can also help guard against exposure to moisture and the corrosion caused by this. If a shipping container is not kept on a level surface, you may encounter issues when trying to open and close the doors, particularly when the container is full. 

The most common types of foundations are:

1. Concrete slabs

2. Concrete footings

3. Wooden beam footings

Concrete Slabs

If space, time and budget aren’t an issue for you, then building a concrete slab may be an option. Due to the cost of materials and labour required, this is one of the most expensive methods of creating a solid foundation. The volume of concrete required is substantial and it needs to be poured quickly in order to set properly. Hiring a crew to help would be ideal. If you’re thinking of undertaking any of the building yourself, remember that a slab foundation for a shipping container should be designed differently than a normal slab foundation due in part to where the weight of the container is carried on the edges and corners of the foundation.

Concrete Footings

If you’re planning on keeping your container in one place for an extended period of time, but you’re conscious of budget and want to avoid building a slab, then concrete footings might be for you. But don’t be fooled- while they might be a more cost effective option, concrete footings require meticulous planning and attention to detail, so make sure you have plenty of time to invest in getting it right.

Here are a few things to consider when planning to build concrete footings:

1. How deep do the footings need to be? Think about whether the ground is prone to frost. 

2. How large do the footings need to be? 

3. How much space will you need? Measure and mark off the area, posting stakes and tying them off for a strong visual indication of the space needed for the container.

4. How much time do you have before the container arrives? The footings should be completed several weeks prior to arrival, but it’s recommended that you speak to a professional about this as the time taken for the concrete to cure can vary from area to area depending on variations in heat and humidity.

Wooden Beam Footings

The easiest and most affordable option for a shipping container foundation is using wooden beams. Less material is needed as you only need to build support for the four corners of the container, however supporting the middle points on the long side of the container can provide extra stability. Unlike concrete slabs and footings, wooden beams can be installed much closer to the arrival time of your container and require far less site preparation. 

It is recommended that a gravel bed is made under the wooden beams to help with drainage, keeping the beams dry and preventing premature rotting. Air circulation is allowed for by keeping the container at least 15cm (6 inches) off the ground. 

Once you’ve gone to the effort to build a solid foundation, make sure you’re putting a top quality shipping container on it. Speak to Premier Box Shipping Containers. They offer immediate delivery in most areas of Australia, and with 20 years combined experience in the shipping container industry, they offer the most cost effective, efficient and dependable shipping container solutions available. Call them now on 1800 601 194 or get a quote online. 

More Storage Space, FAST!

Businesses across Australia are making smarter decisions this year when it comes to finding cost effective solutions for temporary storage and warehousing. With the lead up to the holiday season putting pressure on many businesses to come up with extra space fast, hiring shipping containers for temporary warehousing purposes is the way to go.

Finding a short-term solution for storage shortages is often time consuming and expensive, but it needn’t be. Shipping container rental accommodates seasonal demand by providing a place to store extra inventory, seasonal items, promotional materials, equipment, documents and archives. Need more storage space for Christmas merchandise? How about extra office space for additional staff? Shipping containers are the perfect solution. 

Shipping containers’ ease of transport and mobility means that goods can be stored either onsite or offsite, or relocated to another area quickly and efficiently, allowing for flexibility that you just don’t get with permanent warehouses, storage facilities or offices. With short-term hire agreements available, shipping container rental is often far more convenient and cost effective than constructing a temporary warehouse or signing a lease on a building that extends longer than required.

A shipping container’s construction means that a wide range of products can be stored safely and securely. Their strong, corrosion resistant steel bodies offer protection against the elements. They are watertight, ventilated and vermin proof, and when you hire from Premier Box, they are also fitted with a lock box to ensure your valuable goods remain secure. Shipping containers allow for easy loading and unloading, sitting directly on the ground, and modifications are available meaning shelves and ramps can be added when needed.

When businesses choose to work with Premier Box, they are dealing with shipping container professionals who understand what it takes to meet storage shortages at this time of year. Premier Box offers immediate delivery of the highest quality containers across Australia, and are experts at ensuring their clients’ needs are met. Call Premier Box on 1800 601 194 to discuss your requirements, or get a quote online. 

Top 8 Shipping Container Homes

1. Redondo Beach House


Location: Redondo Beach, California USA
Client: Anna and Sven Pirkl
Designer/Architect: Peter DeMaria of DeMaria
DesignCost: $125/sq ft
Distinction: 2007 American Institute of Architects - Excellence in Design/ Innovation Award 2007
Use of Shipping Containers: 8 Shipping Containers used, varying sizes
Size: 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Bathrooms
Features: Spacious living room with 20-foot ceilings, in-ground shipping container swimming pool, glass-panel airplane hangar doors, natural ventilation. 

Constructed in 2006, this home is one of the first official shipping container houses in the USA. This stunning home in Redondo Beach was constructed from recycled steel shipping containers in conjunction with conventional building methods and prefabricated assemblies. Assembling 70% of the house offsite lead to substantial time and cost savings, as well as a reduction in construction waste.
Shipping containers are renowned for their strength and durability, and make this house resistant to fire, mold and termites. In fact, the industrial aesthetic of the shipping containers has been embraced in the design of this home. 

2. Recycled Shipping Container Home, Quebec, Canada

Location: St. Adele, Quebec, Canada
Designer/Architect: Bernard Morin and Joyce Labelle of Maison Idekit
Cost: $175,000
Use of Shipping Containers: 7 Shipping Containers used
Size: 4 Bedrooms, 3000 sq ft in total
Features: Recycled wooden cladding on exterior walls, exposed shipping container panels in interior’s design.

3. Infiniski’s Manifesto
 

Location: Curacavi, Chile
Designer/Architect: James & Mau
Use of Shipping Containers: 4 Shipping Containers used
Size: 160m sq
Project Year: 2009
Features: Recycled wooden pallets on exterior, airy and open living spaces, sliding walls for natural ventilation, geothermal heat pumps.

The Manifesto House takes environmentally conscious construction to a whole new level with up to 85% of its exterior and interior being created from recycled, reused and eco friendly materials. Utilising a prefabricated and modular design allowed for cheaper and faster construction methods. The wood pallets on the house’s exterior can be opened or closed depending on the need for natural solar heating or cooling, and are a unique feature of the design.
 4. Adriance House 

Location: Brooklin, Maine, USA
Designer/Architect: Adam Kalkin
Cost: $125/sq ft
Use of Shipping Containers: 12 Shipping Containers used
Size: 4000 sq ft
Project Year: 2003
Features: Floor to ceiling windows, double height garage door style opening, industrial yet cozy aesthetic.

5. Zigloo Domestique

Location: Victoria BC, Canada
Designer/Architect: Keith Dewey
Use of Shipping Containers: 8 Shipping Containers used
Size: 2000 sq ft / 185m sq, 3-4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Project Year: 2006
Features: Open living, dining and kitchen space, efficient soy-based spray foam insulation, in-floor heating system, green roof.

6. Quik House
 

Location: Califon, New Jersey, USA
Designer/Architect: Adam Kalkin
Use of Shipping Containers: 12 Shipping Container used
Size: 1920 sq ft, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Project Year: 2009
Features: Takes less than 3 months to assemble onsite, 75% recycled materials, shipping containers hidden behind drywall in interior but exposed on exterior.

7. SG Blocks Container House

Location: Displayed at the 2008 West Coast Green Conference
Designer/Architect: Lawrence Group
Cost: $150/ sq ft
Use of Shipping Containers: 5 Shipping Containers used
Features: Solar power, Agilewaves resource monitoring system, 

8. Mobile Dwelling Unit
 

Location: Exhibited at Whitney Museum of American Art, USA
Designer/Architect: LOT-EK
Use of Shipping Containers: 1 Shipping Container Size: 500 sq ft
Project Year: 2003
Features: Singular prefabricated unit, easily transportable, extruded sub-volumes, interior constructed of plywood and plastic coated plywood, built-in furniture.

If you would like more information on sourcing shipping containers to suit your unique circumstances, or simply want a shipping container to buy or hire, call Premier Box Shipping Containers at 1800 601 194, or click to Get a Quote Online. 

Shipping Container Coffee Shop

A bustling line of coffee-lovers at your doorstep each morning is every coffee shop owner’s dream. For Rick Caspersen of Mambo Coffee, this dream had become a reality, but it also brought about a challenge with wait times for morning coffees climbing to 20 minutes. How to cater to peak hour demand without breaking the bank by relocating or expanding?

With a spare coffee machine and some imagination, Rick came up with a brilliant solution for catering to the morning’s crowds without blowing the budget or interrupting trade.

He created a funky annex out of a shipping container. He’s not the first to see the potential in these steel boxes. Shipping container coffee shops, restaurants and even retail stores have been turning heads all over the world, from Old Montreal’s MUVBOX to Christchurch’s Re:START project. 

The cost to create additional space could have been substantially higher had Rick not decided to use a shipping container. He had some mates help him relocate the shipping container to the site and he modified it himself, hiring an engineer and electrician where needed. A friend donated a huge outdoor vinyl movie poster to use as an awning, and it cost him $80 to stitch in anchor ropes. The furniture is all ‘up-cycled’. “We used old fence palings for chair legs and Chep pallets for table tops,” explains Rick. “The focus was street grunge, and people seem to like sitting on milk crates”. A Brisbane artist, Sofles, was invited to graffiti the shipping container, adding to its underground appeal. 

But don’t be fooled, Mambo Coffee’s shipping container coffee shop is a gathering place for lawyers and hipsters alike. While the shipping container was undergoing it’s slow transformation, it created a talking point within the local community. Rick recalls that passers by were intrigued by what was going on, and since its completion, it has served to bring people of all walks of life together for their morning coffee ritual. 

When asked why Rick chose a shipping container, he explained that while it added to the street grunge feel of Mambo Coffee, it is also able to be closed up and relocated at a later date. “I can take it with me if I decide to move on,” he says.

Sunshine Coast City Council was helpful when Rick approached them with the idea. Their requirements were that he anchor it to a concrete foundation for safety reasons, and were happy to guide him through the process. Some of the bureaucrats he dealt with during the process are now regular customers.

In the two years since inception, Mambo Coffee has gathered a devoted following throughout Queensland. They have achieved this simply by roasting and serving consistently great coffee both at their signature outlets and through their wholesale customers’ espresso bars. They also conduct barista training in the annex on Saturday mornings. For more information visit www.MamboCoffee.com.au.

If you would like more information on sourcing shipping containers to suit your unique circumstances, or simply want a shipping container to buy or hire, call Premier Box Shipping Containers at 1800 601 194, or click to Get a Quote Online.

Top 8 Points to Consider When Buying or Hiring a Shipping Container

Size
Shipping containers measuring 6m (20ft) and 12m (40ft) long are the most cost effective options when considering what size to buy. Containers with these lengths are the most commonly used in the shipping industry and are therefore the most readily available. Smaller sizes such as 10ft containers are usually cut down from larger containers and are more expensive due to the labour involved. 

Construction
Whether hiring or buying a shipping container, it should be constructed from corrosion resistant Corten steel. Corten steel is designed for outdoor use and is incredibly strong. Due to its chemical compositions, this steel exhibits increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion compared to other steels. This is because the steel forms a protective layer on its surface under the influence of the weather. 

Check for Damage
When you take delivery of your shipping container you should always check for damage. Examine the walls, roof and floor from the inside. In the daylight, sunlight will filter through any holes there might be. There shouldn’t be any soft spots in the flooring so make sure you check the floor as well before the container is loaded.

Level Ground
Make sure that your shipping container is positioned on level ground, ideally on a concrete surface. If you do not have a concrete surface, wooden sleepers or concrete blocks can be used. If the shipping container is not kept on a level surface, you may encounter issues when trying to open and close the doors, particularly when the container is loaded.

Security
The most vulnerable area of a shipping container is the door. To reduce the risk of unauthorised access it is recommended that you purchase or hire a shipping container with a lockbox, or have one fitted before delivery if the container isn’t provided with one. A lockbox is a metal box that is welded onto the container doors to protect the padlock from being tampered with illegally. Using a high security padlock will also give you some added peace of mind. 

Delivery
Ensure you consider what sort of access there is to the site when arranging delivery of your shipping container. It would be advisable to notify the company you are hiring or purchasing from of any obstructions such as overhanging trees or power lines so that they may plan their delivery in the safest manner possible. You should also have the site prepared for the shipping container’s delivery prior to its arrival. Plan where you will need it placed for easy loading and unloading, and make sure there is ample room for the truck. There are generally several types of trucks available for shipping container delivery, so you should discuss which truck is best for the job with the company supplying your shipping container.

Insurance
Always speak to your shipping container provider about your insurance obligations when hiring or leasing a shipping container. More often than not you will need to arrange insurance against all risks and you will be responsible for any stock or goods stored or shipped in the container. Do your homework and be aware of your responsibilities under your agreement. 

Deal with a Shipping Container Professional
Last but not least, make sure you deal with a shipping container professional when buying or renting a shipping container. Some shipping container suppliers will offer a superior service to others and will go the extra mile to ensure you are being provided with a quality product. 

Premier Box Shipping Containers is an example of one such company. Their new shipping containers are produced to the highest standards, using the latest design and production techniques available. All new shipping containers are independently inspected during and after production to guarantee maximum build quality. Used shipping containers are inspected and surveyed on arrival to Australian depots. All of Premier Box’s containers are constructed from Corten steel and fitted with a lockbox to ensure your goods remain secure and in top condition. 

To speak to a shipping container professional about purchasing or hiring a shipping container, call Premier Box Shipping Containers on 1800 601 194, or request a quote online. 

Shipping Container to Restaurant in Under 2 Minutes

At the touch of a button, a discarded shipping container transforms into a restaurant in under 2 minutes, right before your eyes. This incredible and intriguing creation is called MUVBOX, and has become somewhat of a sensation in Old Montreal, and even across the globe. 

Inspired by Illy Cafe’s Push Button House, restauranteur and entrepreneur Daniel Noiseux designed the MUVBOX concept to create ‘fun experiences worth sharing with others’, and many would say that he has been successful in this. With a background in architecture and graphic design, Noisex understands functionality and aesthetics, and says he has a penchant for marrying design sensibilities with high quality food service. He loves to use objects differently from their original intention, and says that functionality is critical.  

The MUVBOX mission is to create a network of unique mobile concepts based on the slickly designed recycled steel container. The proposition is straightforward: Keep it simple, trendy and eco-friendly, and MOVBOX achieves this in a number of ways.

The portable restaurant is constructed from a 10 or 20 foot shipping container and is customised according to clients’ specifications. MUVBOX offers a full spectrum of services from conception and fabrication to shipping and the logistics of installation onsite, anywhere in the world. Eco-friendly options for materials are used in construction and solar panels provide enough energy for the interior lighting and the opening and closing of the box. All of the food packaging including napkins, trays and cups are made from recycled paper, and the utensils are made from biodegradable plastic. With each MUVBOX generation, Noiseux believes that the MUVBOX can continue to implement eco-responsible materials and evolve the box to the point where it has no imprint on the environment at all. 

The MUVBOX is constructed from a recycled international maritime shipping container which makes the box easily transported by land or sea. A basic MUVBOX unit takes approximately six weeks to produce, but can take longer depending on quantities ordered and custom finishing. As it is not permanently set on the ground, there is no need for building permits, and it can be placed anywhere with relative ease. 

If you would like more information on how shipping containers can be modified to suit your needs and circumstances, or would like to enquire into shipping containers for sale or hire, call Premier Box Shipping Containers on 1800 601 194, or Get a Quote Online.

Medical Clinics Go Mobile to Save Lives

In the aftermath of devastating natural disasters around the world, shipping containers have often been modified and retrofitted to quickly replace damaged infrastructure. The RE:Start project in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a perfect example of this. But while the residents of Christchurch were once again able to sip lattes and shop ‘til they drop in their stylish new surrounds, populations in Haiti following an earthquake in 2010, and those in New Orleans struck by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, struggled to receive even basic medical attention.

After a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti on 12 January 2010, much of Haiti’s infrastructure crumbled. Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince lost 80 percent of their buildings, leaving them to improvise using outdoor tarps and salvaging old cribs so that they may continue to help patients. But it’s not just victims of natural disasters who find themselves in urgent need of adequate medical assistance. A Kenyan man tells the story of his sister who returned home to have her first baby, as is customary in Kenya. She began to run a fever and the family decided to take her to the nearest hospital - 10 miles away. Their fastest method of transporting the woman was by wheelbarrow with each family member taking turns pushing. The woman died before they were able to get her assistance. 

There are now nonprofit organisations who are addressing this need in areas like Haiti and New Orleans, and in remote communities also, by retrofitting shipping containers and transforming them into portable medical clinics. They believe that people are dying needlessly in remote areas due to lack of health care or following natural disasters, however they are often unable to build permanent structures in areas where people are in need of treatment. The cost and time required to set up permanent structures with the required facilities just isn’t viable.

Containers to Clinics design, make, ship, install and operate portable medical clinics made from 20’ (6m) shipping containers. Specifically designed for remote locations, Containers to Clinics (C2C) takes advantage of the durability and portability offered by shipping containers in order to provide timely and quality health care around the world. Their first container clinics are being used in Haiti.

These fully-stocked, fully equipped health care centres use solar panels to generate electricity and were built to handle irregular power flows and pull power from a variety of sources including local grid power, any kind of generator, or any nearby house panel. Solar-powered fans, windows, insulation and a few coats of highly reflective white paint keep the clinic as cool as possible in place of air conditioners, and are shaded under custom-built canopies. The clinics are comprised of two private consultation areas, a laboratory and pharmacy, areas for admin and record keeping, and a shaded waiting and patient education area. The pharmacy and laboratory are equipped with a refrigerator, microscopes and basic diagnostic equipment, and the design allows for easy access for maintenance without interrupting the flow of the clinic. 

C2C’s innovative design has meant that they were able to assist Grace Children’s Hospital in Haiti by providing medical care for nearly 4500 patients in the eight months following the earthquake. Patients received primary and preventative services including vaccinations, pre- and postnatal care, infectious disease testing and treatment, and nutrition counselling. 

Clinic in a Can is another nonprofit organisation building and supplying shipping container medical clinics around the world. They have supplied containers to assist with medical care in Jefferson Parish in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, and many have gone to Haiti. Two of the clinics sent to Haiti in 2010 treated nearly 5000 patients in their first 5 months of operation, and saw over 1300 patients in one week alone.

Clinic in a Can uses both 20’ (6m) and 40’ (12m) shipping containers for their mobile medical clinics, and these take about 20-30 business days to complete respectively. Several units are always made available for immediate purchase however, enabling the organisation, or sponsors of the organisation, to act quickly when the need arises for immediate medical care. In addition to this, transportability of the containers is increased by using containers that conform to ISO standards so that they may be shipped to wherever they are required. A shipping container is a great building block for a portable clinic because there is already a worldwide system for transportation of each container. 

If you would like more information on how shipping containers can be modified to suit your needs and circumstances, or would like to enquire into shipping containers for sale or hire, call Premier Box Shipping Containers on 1800 601 194, or Get a Quote Online.