Before the 1950s, shipping goods across oceans was a logistical nightmare.

Cargo came in all shapes and sizes, wooden crates, sacks, barrels, you name it. At ports, dock workers had to load and unload every single item by hand, stacking them carefully in the hold of a ship. It was slow, labour-intensive, and expensive. Items would often be damaged, lost, or even stolen in the process.

It wasn’t uncommon for a ship to spend days in port just being loaded and unloaded.

Shipping was chaotic. Disorganised. And ripe for disruption.

Let’s break down the impact:

1. Speed & Efficiency

With containers, ships could be loaded and unloaded in hours instead of days. This meant faster turnaround, shorter delivery times, and fewer delays.

2. Cost Savings

Labour costs dropped dramatically. Fewer workers were needed to load and unload, and the faster process meant less time in port and more time moving goods.

3. Standardisation

The container was designed to fit every form of transport, from trucks, to trains and ships, without ever unpacking the contents. That consistency is what made global trade scalable.

4. Security

Goods were now locked inside metal boxes, reducing damage and theft. Containers could be sealed at the factory and not opened until arrival, no more “missing” cargo.

5. Global Trade Explosion

With lower costs and faster shipping, it suddenly became practical to manufacture goods in one country and sell them across the world. Entire supply chains moved overseas.

In short, the cargo container kickstarted globalisation.