Fun Fact: Learn About the Modern Shipping Container
Pinch Transport shares the history of Malcom McLean’s 1956 shipping container innovation that revolutionized intermodal logistics, shaping today’s global trade.
Did you know the modern shipping container, an innovation that transformed global trade, was invented by a truck driver with a bold idea?
In 1937, North Carolina’s Malcom McLean envisioned simplifying cargo handling and boosting efficiency. By January 1956, McLean secured $22 million, acquired a WWII-era ship, and retrofitted it to carry standardized containers.
On April 26, 1956, the first of these ships (pictured below) set sail from Port Newark to the Port of Houston, loaded with 58 newly designed 35-foot containers. This innovation laid the foundation for the intermodal shipping systems we depend on today, connecting trucks, trains, and ships in seamless operations.
At Pinch Transport, we carry forward this legacy of innovation with our own intermodal and logistics solutions, ensuring businesses move forward with speed and precision.
News & Insights
Explore our latest articles to learn more about how we’re supporting shippers, drivers, and supply chain professionals across North America.
Quick, Reliable Quotes–
No Hassle, Just Freight Solutions.
Ready to ship? Fill out our quick form and let us tailor a solution for your freight. Whether it’s a flatbed haul or intermodal move, we’ve got you covered.