ISO moves towards adoption of 45-foot-long container standard

ISO moves towards adoption of 45-foot-long container standard    The International Standards Organization is close to adopting a new 45-foot container standard.
   Standard 20-foot and 40-foot containers have long been recognized by the ISO, but 45-foot-long containers have not had their own international standard specifications despite their increasing use in the maritime industry.
   The ISO technical committee on freight containers, called “TC 104,” has made progress on the 45-foot container standard at meetings held in London May 12-13.
   “An amendment to ISO 668 (series 1 containers — classification, dimensions and ratings) that will add the 45-foot container to this standard was approved for balloting as a final draft amendment,” said Mike Bohlman, chairman of the technical committee. “A revised ISO 668 will be published once this ballot process is completed.”
   Draft amendments to ISO 1161 standards on corner fittings ISO 3874 standards on handling and securing adding the 45-foot container were both approved for balloting.
   “My expectation is that each of these will be approved and that the amendments will be published later this year,” added Bohlman, who is also an executive with Horizon Lines.