Term of the Day: Chassis

Chassis is a term that refers to a rectangular steel frame, supported by springs and wheeled axles constructed to accept mounting of containers for over-the-road transport of shipping containers.

The United States is the only large market where ocean carriers own and provide chassis to truckers to move containers.

Maersk was the first ocean line to announce the decision to end its ownership of chassis. Shortly after, the decision was supported by many other ocean lines that also decided to no longer provide chassis for import and export cargo containers in U.S. markets.

As a result drayage companies either own or rent chassis equipment.

The most frequent container chassis range from 20 to 40 feet.

World Maritime News Staff; Image: Youtube