WO2023135365A1

WO2023135365A1 - Shipping container

Info

Publication number: WO2023135365A1
Application number: PCT/FI2023/050021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Miro TANNINEN
Original assignee: Rakennustoimisto Tanninen Oy
Priority date: 2022-01-14
Filing date: 2023-01-10
Publication date: 2023-07-20

Abstract

The invention relates to a shipping container (10), which includes : - a frame (12) comprising planar surfaces made of wood panels ( 11 ), - corner reinforcements (26) arranged in the corners (28) included in the frame (12) for reinforcing the shipping container (10), - attachment fittings (30) for lifting the shipping container (10), - a supporting steel frame (38) comprising an upper border (40) and a lower border (42) as well as vertical supports (44) between them, wherein both the upper border (40) and the lower border (42) are made of profiles (46) that are arranged to support the planar surfaces of the frame (12), and in said shipping container - said wood panels consist of an LVL panel (32), the outer surface of which includes a protective coating (36) for protecting the LVL panel (32) from impacts, moisture and weather attack, as well as vermin, and - said planar surfaces (11) are connected to each other a) by gluing or b) by gluing and with mechanical connecting elements (48).

Description

SHIPPING CONTAINER

The invention is related to a shipping container, which includes :

- a frame comprising planar surfaces made of wood panels ,

- corner reinforcements arranged in the corners included in the frame for reinforcing the shipping container,

- attachment fittings for lifting the shipping container, and

- a supporting steel frame comprising an upper border and a lower border as well as vertical supports between them, wherein both the upper border and the lower border are made of profiles that are arranged to support the planar surfaces of the frame.

A shipping container is one of the most important elements of a modern logistics chain. About 90 percent of bulk cargo in sea transportation is transported in shipping containers and more than 60 percent of the entire sea transportation is container transport. It is estimated that there are approximately 530 million shipping containers worldwide.

In this context, shipping container is used to refer to shipping containers according to the ISO 668:2020 standard and advantageously ISO 1496-1:2013.

Shipping containers are generally made of steel. While steel is structurally resistant, its manufacture generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions, the avoidance of which as greenhouse gases is strived at. The object of the invention is to provide a shipping contaJ ner that is more ecological than prior art shipping containers, The characteristic features of this invention are set forth in the accompanying Claim 1.

The object according to the invention can be achieved with a shipping container, which includes a frame comprising planar surfaces made of an LVL panel, corner reinforcements arranged in the corners included in the frame for reinforcing the shipping container, attachment fittings for lifting the shipping container, and a supporting steel frame comprising an upper border and a lower border and vertical supports between them, wherein both the upper border and the lower border are made of profiles that are arranged to support the planar surfaces of the frame. The outer surface of the LVL panel includes a protective coating for protecting the LVL panel from impacts, moisture and weather attack, as well as vermin. In the shipping container, the planar surfaces are connected to each other a) by gluing via corner reinforcements or b) by gluing and with mechanical connecting elements.

An LVL (laminated veneer lumber) panel is a beam and wood panel product, which is a stiff and dimensionally accurate solution, manufactured from coniferous veneer by gluing. An LVL panel is light in weight having, however, a high strength resistance and load-bearing capacity, and it is a very stiff structure. When manufactured from steel, a supporting frame increases the stiffness and strength of a shipping container substantially. A frame made of an LVL panel is also ecological, as it can be manufactured from a renewing raw material. For example, LVL panels of a disposed shipping container can be burnt and corner reinforcements made of steel, for instance, can be recycled. The outer coating of LVL panels guarantees the resistance of an LVL panel and thereby maintenance of its structural strength during use.

The load-bearing capacity of a shipping container according to the invention is based on the composite structure composed of an LVL panel and steel. With a protective coating, a wooden LVL panel can be effectively protected from moisture, impacts and vermin damage. With gluing, in addition to reinforcing the frame, the frame can also be sealed.

In a shipping container according to the invention, the stiffness of the LVL panel prevents buckling of shipping containers when stacking them. Gluing, in turn, prevents sliding between the components and distributes the point stress of mechanical connecting elements onto a larger area in the LVL panel. In other words, in a shipping container, gluing included between the LVL panels, and advantageously also between the LVL panels and corner reinforcements, is arranged to prevent sliding between the corner reinforcements and the LVL panel and support the LVL panel against the corner reinforcements in such a way that buckling of the corner reinforcements is prevented at a nominal load.

Gluing plays an important role as regards the strength of a shipping container, since gluing unites steel and wood while simultaneously distributing the load of mechanical connecting elements between the steel and wood part. Sealing can be implemented with an external coating or adhesive mass sealing. With gluing, in addition to tightness, a composite structure composed of steel and an LVL panel is achieved. Glue reinforces the connection between steel and the LVL panel forming a so- called lock joint and preventing steel and the LVL panel from detaching from each other in any normal conditions of use of the shipping container. When implemented in this way, strength values of both materials are utilised in the structural dimensioning related to the load-bearing capacity, deflection, bracing etc. , against stresses. The final water and air tightness of joints can be achieved with an external coating layer .

Said gluing may be arranged between said planar surfaces and said profiles or between planar surfaces and corner reinforcements or between both of these. In any case, corner reinforcements connect together planar surfaces at least partly, when the corner reinforcements are advantageously fastened to each support surface leaning to it.

Advantageously, mechanical connecting elements are screw fasteners or bolt fasteners. These are commonly used and affordable mechanical connecting elements.

Alternatively, mechanical connecting elements may also be nail fasteners. According to an embodiment, the supporting steel structure is provided with nails integrated therein onto which LVL panels are pushed together with gluing.

Advantageously, attachment fittings consist of container corners. The container corners are advantageously standard cast steel blocks suitable for lifting equipment fittings, for example. Advantageously, the container corners integrate both the corner reinforcements and attachment fittings.

In a shipping container according to the invention, the supporting steel structure, the LVL panels glued thereto and the corner reinforcements together form a stiff and resistant composite structure. A difference of the LVL panel relative to plywood is in the grain structure of its veneers, which is mainly parallel in the LVL panel, whereas in plywood, the veneer direction varies by layers. An advantage of LVL over plywood is also a better strength to weight ratio, due to which the same strength is achieved with a lighter structure when using LVL compared to plywood, which improves the effective payload of a shipping container. Furthermore, investment costs of an LVL panel are lower than those of plywood of the same size.

Advantageously, an LVL panel is a structure that is glued from glued, 3 mm thick coniferous veneers. With an LVL panel, the same load-bearing properties are achieved as with a CLT (crosslaminated timber) panel, yet with substantially thinner constructions due to the veneer thicknesses used in the LVL panel .

For a shipping container according to the invention, the use of an LVL panel facilitates the assembly of the shipping container, when the panel dimensions are accurate (lengths, strengths, rectangular ity ) . Due to the high load-bearing capacity and stiffness of the LVL panel, quite a lot of loadbearing capacity and stiffness can be computationally assigned to the LVL panel in the constructions of a shipping container.

When implemented with LVL panels, the weight of a shipping container according to the invention may be practically the same or even less than for an original prior art standard freight container that is manufactured essentially completely of metal. If one veneer layer is taken away from an LVL panel, the reduction in the total weight of the shipping container may be as much as 100 kg; therefore, with the new container technique, the cargo quantity transported with a shipping container according to the invention may be even slightly larger compared to traditional metal shipping containers.

The thickness of the LVL panel may range between 15 mm and 100 mm, advantageously 35 mm and 50 mm. An advantage of the LVL panel compared to the CLT panel is that the LVL panel can be substantially thinner and lighter than the CLT panel. This is because the LVL panel is manufactured from 3 mm thick plywood veneer layers. In summary, LVL is a lightweight, yet exceptionally strong material. It has an excellent load-bearing capacity, it is of uniform quality and easy to machine - without forgetting environmental aspects. The LVL panel is also dimensionally accurate. LVL panels suit better to a shipping container according to the invention, because the thinner and lighter structures of the LVL panel compared to those of the CLT panel are more efficient in the structures of a shipping container. Naturally, it is aimed to manufacture the shipping container as light as possible and it is aimed to provide it with an inner volume as large as possible; that is, the outer shell must not become too thick-walled.

In an embodiment of a shipping container, by using the LVL panel, the thickness of the wooden constructions of the shipping container may be 39 mm, whereas the thickness is 60 mm at a minimum when using the CLT panel.

Advantageously, the planar surfaces are formed from LVL panels only, without a separate substructure, such as a transverse or longitudinal support structure for supporting the LVL panel. The stiffness of the LVL panel when supported to a supporting frame is sufficient as regards the strength of the shipping container, and therefore, it does not need any separate supports, which would increase the weight of the shipping container .

Advantageously, approximately a fifth of the veneers in the cross structure of an LVL panel are oriented in the crosswise direction. Crosswise veneers increase the transverse strength and stiffness of the LVL panel.

Advantageously, the attachment fittings conform to the IS01161 standard .

Advantageously, the shipping container is a shipping container dimensioned in accordance with the ISO standard ISO 668:2020 (and advantageously ISO 1496-1:2013) relating to shipping containers. Thus, a shipping container according to the invention can be handled with generally available handling equipment for shipping containers.

Advantageously, the lower border of the supporting frame includes at least two transverse supports located at an interval from each other for supporting the LVL panel that forms the bottom of the shipping container. In this way, the thickness of the LVL panel used in the bottom of the shipping container can be substantially lower.

According to an embodiment, there are several transverse supports spaced in 400 mm - 1200 mm, advantageously 500 mm - 700 mm, intervals. Thus, the thickness of the LVL panel used as the bottom may be approximately 40 mm, whereas if transverse supports are spaced in double intervals compared to the advantageous spacing, the thickness of the LVL panel must be almost doubled to achieve a corresponding load-bearing capacity . Advantageously, planar surfaces include a bottom for supporting the shipping container against a base, sidewalls fastened to the bottom, a first end wall fastened to the bottom and the sidewalls, doors for forming a second end wall when the doors are closed, and a roof fastened to the sidewalls and the first end wall .

Advantageously, said planar surfaces are connected to each other with a PUR adhesive via corner reinforcements. A PUR adhesive provides a strong bond between the LVL panel and a steel structure. In addition, the PUR adhesive has a good weather resistance and sealing capacity.

Alternatively, the adhesive used may be a two-part epoxy adhesive .

Advantageously, each planar surface is composed of one LVL panel that forms the entire planar surface. Thus, planar surfaces do not have mating surfaces, which should be sealed.

Advantageously, the protective coating is a protective coating layer separate from the LVL panel. In other words, the protective coating is advantageously not a part of the LVL panel, but a layer formed on the surface of a finished LVL panel. Thus, in the manufacture of a shipping container, it is possible to use conventional LVL panels that have not been specifically designed for the application according to the invention .

Alternatively, the protecting coating layer may be integrated into the LVL panel; however, this requires a change in the LVL panel production line. The protective coating layer may be a Polyurea coating. Advantages of the Polyurea coating are its good resistance, water-tightness and flexibility. It has also good resistance to varying conditions and sunlight.

According to an embodiment, the shipping container includes at least one solar panel. With a solar panel or multiple solar panels, it is possible to produce electricity, which can be used, for example, for cooling or tracking the shipping container. Panels can also be connected to the electricity network of the transport vehicle to produce energy for moving the transport vehicle, or for another energy need.

According to an embodiment, the protective coating of the LVL panel includes an integrated sprayable and thin diaphragm cell for collecting solar energy. The use of a diaphragm cell based on the nanotechnology for solar panels suits excellently to smooth-surfaced LVL panels.

The doors of the shipping container may be hinged near the roof and the bottom, to the upper border and the lower border at one end of the shipping container.

Advantageously, however, the doors of the shipping container are hinged to the vertical supports. Several embodiments exist for providing hinges; in other words, there may be so-called bearingless, rarely opened hinges or more frequently opened hinges provided with bearings.

Advantageously, the protective coating is an industrial coating, which is arranged to protect the LVL panel from impacts, moisture and weather attack, as well as vermin. The use of such a protective coating enables utilisation of the LVL panel in shipping containers as a resistant solution.

According to an embodiment, the protective coating is a polyurethane coating. A polyurethane coating offers protection against both vermin and moisture but also protection from impacts and soiling.

Alternatively, the protective coating may be a PVC based roof coating material. Such a roof coating material may be, for example, a product manufactured by Topps Products Inc. with the trademark Topps Seal®.

According to an embodiment, the surfaces of LVL panels include a flameproof finish for improving fire endurance. The flameproof finish may be the same protective coating, which simultaneously also offers protection against fire, or alternatively, a separate coating.

Advantageously, the protective coating is a separate coating layer arranged on the surface of the LVL panel. Alternatively, however, the protective coating may be integrated as a part of the LVL panel in such a way that the topmost layer of the LVL panel is directly manufactured from a material, which directly offers the properties of a protective coating.

According to an embodiment, the shipping container may include cross braces between corner reinforcements formed on its outer surface to help support the frame.

Advantageously, the shipping container may include forklift fittings arranged below the floor. This facilitates handling of the shipping container and is prior art technique known from standard steel shipping containers.

According to an embodiment, a separate plywood panel may be removably fastened to the surfaces of LVL panels as a wear surface, which can be replaced as needed. Thus, it is possible to protect the surface of the load-bearing LVL panel from impacts and stress. The wear surface can be fastened either by screwing or, alternatively, by gluing and screwing.

According to an embodiment, the shipping container includes an anti-theft net, which prevents or at least retards making a hole in an LVL panel. An anti-theft net functions as a retard, if an attempt is made to make a hole in the LVL panel of the shipping container using traditional circular or other saws.

Advantageously, the anti-theft net is made of steel and fastened to the surface of the LVL panel, most advantageously to its outer surface. An anti-theft net may be glued to the surface of the LVL panel.

An anti-theft net may be arranged on the outer surface of the LVL panel, under the protective coating. In this case, the anti-theft net remains between the LVL panel and the coating as a so-called hidden structure.

Advantageously, the shipping container includes a fire protection system. With the fire protection system, it can be prevented that contents of the shipping container and LVL panels burn in a fire situation. A timber-framed shipping container is more susceptible to fires than an all-steel shipping container and because of this, it is especially advantageous that the shipping container includes a fire protection system. On the other hand, in a fire situation, a carbon layer that retards the spread of fire is formed on the LVL panel on the side of the fire.

Advantageously, the fire protection system may be a currentless aerosol and impulse powder extinguisher. Thus, the fire protection system remains in operating conditions without external current or maintenance even for long periods.

The planar surfaces of the shipping container together with the supporting frame form a closed construction when the doors are closed. A closed construction enables transportation of shipping containers stacked on top of each other in the same way as traditional shipping containers.

An advantage achieved with a shipping container according to the invention is that the planar surfaces of the shipping container are essentially smooth. Thus, they are extremely well suited as support surfaces for advertisements that are glued or otherwise fastened to the planar surface to be visible for a large target group, for example, during road transportations of the shipping container.

The object of the shipping container according to the invention is to provide a shipping container that corresponds to traditional shipping containers regarding strength and usability but is substantially more ecological. Shipping containers according to the invention can also be stored stacked on top of each other in a corresponding way as all-metal shipping containers. The invention is described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings that illustrate some of the embodiments of the invention, in which

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a shipping container according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional basic drawing of an LVL panel and a supporting frame of a shipping container according to the invention,

Figure 3 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of a shipping container according to the invention,

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of the supporting frame of a shipping container according to the invention,

Figure 5 is an axonometric view of separated doors of a shipping container,

Figure 6 shows the cross section of an LVL panel,

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional top view of the structure of a shipping container seen in the longitudinal direction of the shipping container,

Figure 8 is a longitudinal view of a shipping container illustrating the cross section of the structure of the shipping container in the vertical direction of the shipping container,

Figure 9a is a transverse view of a shipping container illustrating the cross section of the structure of the shipping container as regards the end wall, seen in the vertical direction of the shipping container,

Figure 9b is a transverse view of a shipping container illustrating the cross section of the structure of the shipping container as regards the doors seen in the vertical direction of the shipping cont iner .

According to Figure 1, the shipping container 10 is composed of a frame 12, corner reinforcements 26 and attachment fittings 30 according to the IS01161 standard. The frame 12 includes planar surfaces 11, which include a bottom 14, side walls 16 fastened to the bottom 14, a first end wall 18 fastened to the side walls 16 and the bottom 14 and a second end wall 22, which is composed of doors 20, as well as a roof 24 fastened to the first end wall 18 and the side walls 16. The planar surfaces 11 of the frame 12 are made of an LVL panel 32. The different parts of the frame can be, for example, glued to each other or, advantageously, glued and also connected with mechanical connecting elements, the frame thus becoming sturdy. The stiffness of the frame 12 is increased with corner reinforcements 26, which bind together the three sides of the shipping container in the corners 28 of the frame 12. The corner reinforcements can be fastened to the frame 12, for example, with bolt fasteners 48 shown in Figure 2, but alternatively also by gluing or with screw fasteners or as a combination of these. The corner reinforcements 26 are advantageously made of steel. Attachment fittings 30 according to the IS01161 standard are advantageously integrated in the corner reinforcements 26. Alternatively, attachment fittings may be fastened, for example, to a separate angle iron, which can be installed, for example, in the corner between the first face side and the bottom. Advantageously, the corner reinforcements are on the outer surface of the frame, thus also enabling a formation of attachment fittings therein. If necessary, the corner reinforcements can also be fitted inside the shipping container. In addition to externally arranged corner reinforcements, the shipping container may also include second corner reinforcements fitted inside the shipping container in the corners, thus enabling LVL panels to be fastened between the corner reinforcements and the second corner reinforcements through the LVL panel. According to Figure 1, the shipping container 10 may include forklift fittings 50 arranged below the floor 14.

According to Figure 6, the LVL panel 32, that is, veneering wood is a structural glued wood product manufactured from cut veneers 33 by gluing. The thickness of LVL panels is advantageously 39 mm in the structures of the shipping container for the floor, wall and roof structures. The floor may additionally be provided with 6.5 mm thick film-faced plywood as the wear layer on the upper surface. Bolts, nuts and screws are advantageously strength-classified standard solutions. An anti-theft net 66 can be fastened to the outer surface of the LVL panel 32 under the protective coating 36 placed on top. In Figure 6, it is shown that on the protective coating 36, there is additionally a separate plywood panel 56 that forms the wear surface. Most advantageously, the wear surface can be used on the bottom of the shipping container, which is most exposed to wearing. The roof of the shipping container may also be exposed to wearing when stacking shipping containers in harbours and during sea transport, etc.

The locking mechanisms of the container doors may be fully corresponding to those of an original standard shipping container. The container corners functioning as corner reinforcements advantageously also conform to the standard. Standard steel hinges can be applied for providing hinges.

The exterior dimensions of a shipping container according to the invention advantageously conform to an original standard 1 TEU container. The total mass of the shipping container will also be essentially the same or smaller than in standard steel shipping containers. The initial structural dimensioning data of the shipping container are based on a standard pressure test load .

As the water insulation and coating of the outer surface of LVL panels, a two-part Polyurea coating or a technically equivalent coating can be used.

Since LVL panels 32 in a shipping container 10 according to the invention are exposed to outdoor moisture and sunlight, the adhesive between the wooden layers of LVL panels must be selected suitably to the application. For example, the wooden layers may be glued together with a PUR adhesive or equivalent. Weather resistance is also increased by coating LVL panels with a protective coating for their outer surfaces, but also for their inner surfaces, if necessary. The coating can be, for example, a plastic layer or a watertight layer of paint.

According to Figure 3, the shipping container 10 includes a supporting steel frame 38 comprising an upper border 40 and a lower border 42 as well as vertical supports 44 between them. The upper border 40 and the lower border 42 are made of profiles 46 shown in Figure 2, advantageously L profiles or equivalent. Vertical supports 44 can be rectangular steel profiles. The profiles 46 are advantageously arranged to surround each LVL panel 32 against external loads in the plane direction of the LVL panel 32. In other words, in the construction of a shipping container 10 according to the invention, LVL panels 32 advantageously function as cover plates between the parts of the load-bearing steel construction or, in other words, as planar surfaces. Figure 2 is a basic drawing, and the dimensions shown in it may vary from the reality.

According to Figures 3 to 5, a supporting frame 38 is used in the shipping container according to the invention in its most advantageous embodiment. According to Figure 4, the lower border 42 of the supporting frame 38 may include transverse supports 48, advantageously floor beams 78, which increase the load-bearing capacity of the bottom of the shipping container 10. Figure 5 shows how a frame 50 is also advantageously used in the doors 20 around the LVL panel 32 to stiffen the doors.

According to Figure 4, the shipping container 10 advantageously includes a fire protection system 52. The fire protection system advantageously includes an aerosol and impulse powder extinguisher 54, an exemplary location of which is shown in Figure 4.

Figures 7 to 9b illustrate in more detail the cross section of the structure of the shipping container from different directions. In the embodiment of the shipping container shown in Figures 7 to 9b, the planar surfaces formed by the LVL panel 32 are fastened together with a combination of a glued surface 70 and mechanical connecting elements 48, using bolts and screws as mechanical connecting elements. In Figure 7, reference number 72 represents a locking claw that prevents lifting of the door 20 and reference number 74 represents the hinge of the door 20. In Figure 8, in turn, reference number 76 stands for a replaceable wearing panel of the bottom 14 and reference number 78 stands for a floor beam. In Figure 9b, reference number 80 denotes a sill iron and reference number 82 denotes closing devices for the door 20. The dimensions of a shipping container according to the invention are advantageously the dimensions of a standard shipping container; that is, advantageously, the width is 2.44 m, height 2.49 m and length 6.06 m. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 9b, the inner width of the shipping container is 2.33 m, outer width 2.408 m, inner length 5.9 m, outer length 5.978 m, inner height 2.376 m and outer height 2.590 m with the thickness of the LVL panel used being 39 mm. Other dimensions can also be used particularly regarding the length, which can vary between 3 and 12 m. The weight of a shipping container according to the invention with the above-mentioned advantageous dimensions may be in a class of 2000 to 3000 kg.

Claims

1. A shipping container (10) , which includes

- a frame (12) comprising planar surfaces made of wood panels (11) ,

- corner reinforcements (26) arranged in the corners (28) included in the frame (12) for reinforcing the shipping container (10) ,

- attachment fittings (30) for lifting the shipping container (10) ,

- a supporting steel frame (38) comprising an upper border (40) and a lower border (42) as well as vertical supports (44) between them, wherein both the upper border (40) and the lower border (42) are made of profiles (46) that are arranged to support the planar surfaces (11) of the frame (12) , characterised in that

- said wood panels consist of an LVL panel (32) , the outer surface of which includes a protective coating (36) for protecting the LVL panel (32) from impacts, moisture and weather attack, as well as vermin, and

- said planar surfaces (11) are connected to each other a) by gluing or b) by gluing and with mechanical connecting elements (48) .

2. A shipping container according to Claim 1, characterised in that said protective coating (36) is a polyurethane coating.

3. A shipping container according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the thickness of the LVL panel (32) is between 15 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 21 mm and 75 mm.

4. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to

3, characterised in that said shipping container (10) is a shipping container (10) dimensioned in accordance with the ISO standard ISO 668:2020 relating to shipping containers (10) .

5. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to

4, characterised in that the lower border (42) of the supporting frame (38) includes at least two transverse supports (48) spaced at an interval of each other for supporting the LVL panel (32) that forms the bottom (14) of the shipping container (10) .

6. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to

5, characterised in that the outer surface of the LVL panel (32) includes a removably fastenable separate plywood panel (56) , which forms the wear surface.

7. A shipping container according to any of claims 1 to

6, characterised in that the shipping container (10) includes an anti-theft net (66) fastened to the LVL panel (32) .

8. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to

7, characterised in that the shipping container (10) includes a fire protection system (52) .

9. A shipping container according to Claim 8, characterised in that the fire protection system (52) is a currentless aerosol and impulse powder extinguisher (54) .

10. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the protective coating (36) is integrated as part of the LVL panel (32) in such a way that the topmost layer of the LVL panel (32) is directly manufactured from a material that provides the protective properties.

11. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to

10, characterised in that said planar surfaces (11) include:

- a bottom (14) for supporting the shipping container (10) against a base,

- sidewalls (16) fastened to the bottom (14) ,

- a first end wall (18) connected to the bottom (14) and the sidewalls (16) ,

- doors (20) for forming a second end wall (22) when the doors (20) are closed, and

- a roof (24) fastened to the sidewalls (16) and the first end wall (18) .

12. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to

11, characterised in that said planar surfaces (11) are connected to each other with a PUR adhesive via the corner reinforcements (26) .

13. A shipping container according to any of claims 1 to

12, characterised in that said protective coating (36) is a protective coating layer separate from the LVL panel (32) .

14. A shipping container according to Claim 13, characterised in that said protective coating layer (36) is a Polyurea coating.

15. A shipping container according to any of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the shipping container (10) includes at least one solar panel.