container conditions

   Most container resellers use the Cargo Worthy designation to upsell box condition or they just don’t understand the process. When a container is off-hired to any depot or terminal, it is no longer “CW”. The cargo worthy designation and CSC (Container Safety Convention) certificate does not transfer with ownership. Additionally, if a container is marked as a sale box and taken out of service, it is most often because it was damaged, or the CSC certificate expired while it was in service.
 

Even if the container just needs a CSC renewal, or if it is repaired after it is off-hired, it would have to be re-inspected by an IICL licensed inspector and then also have a marine surveyor certify the box with a valid CSC certificate and put the sticker on the plate for it to be considered CW. This isn’t done because they would not know who to issue the certificate to until after the container is purchased.
 

So if a supplier quotes you a box as being “CW”, just ask for the CSC certificate. Unless they can supply one (We have never seen it happen), the container is NOT CW. It is just a WWT (Wind and Water-Tight) container that MAY pass a CW certification process. We have been quoted gate-buy boxes that would off-hire to us directly as being CW. That is impossible since we are the depot and would be the first and only chance to have the container inspected/certified before purchase. We have been told that since the container came into the port with cargo in it, that makes it CW. Which is absolutely 100% incorrect.
 

Most ALL used containers will NOT pass a certification without having minimal maintenance or repairs. Normally this may only consist of straightening dents in the bottom lip of cross-members or bottom side rails. A Cargo Worthy Certificate is usually only needed when you are exporting a container out of country. They are normally good for 3 years from inspection date. However, One-trips are good for 5 years from date of manufacture before needing to be re-certified.
 

For these reasons Port City Containers doesn’t quote our boxes as CW until we have the valid CSC Certificate for the container in hand. (One-trips are good for 5 years from date of manufacture before needing to be re-certified.)