Tag Archives: security

California Storage and Shipping Security

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Shipping containers that pass through any port in California are, by design, very safe. At it’s very essence, a shipping container is a 20′-40′ steel box with only one entrance/exit point, heavy steel doors with strong locking devices, and an exterior shell made of strong COR-TEN steel. Even with this built in strength, it’s important to keep in mind that a shipping container spends a majority of it’s life stacked on a shipping vessel, in a port or container depot, or on the back of a truck; in all of these places it’s under the watchful eye of an employee of the steam shipping company or professional security guard.

A Storage Container’s Weakest Point – and How to Fix It!

The weakest part of a used shipping container, especially when being used for storage, is the lock. Locks are purchased by the end user and can have any level of strength. Cheaper locks tend to be weaker, while expensive locks can be more secure, but much more expensive. No matter the type of lock, on most used shipping containers it’s exposed, as is the one in this picture.

Shipping container lock - exposed

There are several ways to protect your lock, and thus protect everything that’s inside of your shipping/storage container.

The obvious ways are the environment –

  1. Keeping your shipping container in a well lit area (which may mean that you need to move your container, which may not be an option).
  2. Buy a vicious Sacramento attack dog – which you’ll need to feed the dog, and possibly learn Dutch so that it understands your commands, and take out insurance just in case.
  3. Chain your box shut – You could run chains around your lock box, 20’x2, 8’x2, means that you’ll need a little more than 46′ of chain to go around your container once, and even more if you’ve got a 40′ container.
  4. Weld on lock box – a weld on lock box provides a “house” for your lock to live in. This means that anyone trying to break into the unit and would normally just cut the lock shank, now has to try and get access to the lock shank, which isn’t easy when it’s in a small enclosed area. The downside of weld on lock box is that you’ll need welding equipment.
  5. Bolt on container lock box – a bolt on lock box provides all of the benefits of a weld on lock box, but instead of welding it into place you only need to bolt it to your container. Once bolted on, it behaves the same as a welded on unit and your lock is nearly impossibly to cut (don’t lose the key!).

bolt on lock box

Obviously, choices 4 and 5 are the best options for securing your shipping container. A weld on lock box costs around $100 installed, and a bolt on lock box starts at around $50, without installation. Weld on units are available at your local depot or container reseller, and bolt on lock boxes can be purchased on ContainerLockBox.com.

Installing a bolt on lock box can be done in as little as 15 minutes if you’re prepared. It requires only common household tools: a drill, wrench or socket set, and possible a rattle can of paint if you purchase an unfinished lock box. ContainerLockBox.com provides videos on how to install a lock box, and you can download instructional material that you can print and take with you while you work.

If you have any questions about how to install a lock box on a shipping container please contact the folks at ContainerLockBox.com, or ContainerAuction.com. They’ve been helping to secure used shipping containers for years and will gladly provide you with the assistance that you need to make sure your possessions are safe and secure.

Shipping and Storage Container Security – Bolt on Lock Boxes

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Shipping and cargo containers are very secure by design – they’re made of CORTEN steel, have one point of ingress and egress, steel doors, a heavy wooden floor made of plywood or bamboo, and construction that can last a lift time.  The weakest point of security is the external parts and their potential exposure.

If the shipping container is being used for storage in a well lit, high traffic area, then security may not be a huge concern.  Theft on this type of equipment may not be possible with so many witnesses around.  However, if you’re using the container in a remote or less trafficked area, such as an oil field or construction site, you may want to consider making a key security upgrade to your used shipping container; and that upgrade is a lock box.  The lock box is a simple steel housing device that prevents direct access, from all sides but the bottom, to the lock.  This means that the shank is not able to be cut, and anyone arriving with the goal of breaking into your unit will need to find a new way, as bolt cutters won’t do the trick!

Container lock boxes come in two main types:  weld on lock boxes, or bolt on lock boxes; and the difference is made obvious by the name.

Weld on lock boxes need to be welded onto the door of the container.  Once welded on they’re a permanent feature and nearly impossible to by pryed, cut, or knocked off the shipping container.  If the container is still at the depot, or welding equipment is available, welded on lock boxes are a great security feature and will typically cost you around $100, give or take, depending on the location.

If welding equipment isn’t available, as may be the case when the container is moved away from the depot, you can still get the security benefits of a lock box by purchasing a bolt on unit.  A bolt on lock box provides all of the beneifts of it’s welded on cousin, with the exception of how it’s fastened to the container – heavy bolts in place of welding.  A bolt on unit can be purchased for less than $100, installed with a drill and wrench/socket set, and can be bolted on to the container in ~15 minutes.

If you’re concerned about the security of your shipping or storage container, it’s a wise investment to purchase a lock box of any type.  If you’d like to find out about having a weld on lock box installed, you’ll need to contact your local shipping container dealer.  If your container is on site, you can purchase a bolt on lock box on ContainerLockBox.com.

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