To a certain extent, the conveyor belt operation
resembles that of integrated intermodal transport chains
developed for minerals. These systems are developed
to carry homogeneous cargo, each piece, pellet or
material unit, of which is constant and identical to the
other. That thinking was behind the development of the
container as a standard box that would unitize cargo
and make break-bulk loads appear uniform for transport
operators The containerization of cargo is in its essence
a method designed to ensure that different cargoes,
fruits, electronics, garment or spare parts are handled
with standard equipment and transport means. The
container is a successful attempt to make general cargo
behave like bulk cargo on a different scale, but allowing
for continuous transport of loads through different means
and via integrated transport logistics systems.