Maersk Line Limited, Damco and Maersk Container Industries (MCI) have joined forces with Intermodal Structures (IMS), a modular building company headquartered in San Francisco, to take on a new market: multi-purpose, transportable, building structures.
The partnership brings together Intermodal Structures modular building system and Maersks global shipping, logistics and manufacturing capabilities to create a unique, transportable building solution, says John Reinhart, President and CEO of Maersk Line, Limited.
Innovative combo of design and transport flexibility
The IMS modular systems have a number of innovative characteristics. Each module has the same 40 ft. X 9.5 ft. frame as a high cube shipping container so they can be transported intermodally (by truck, train, barge or container vessel.) But unlike freight containers, which derive their strength from their walls, IMS systems are strong enough to exceed seismic and hurricane building codes without internal structural walls, enabling nearly unlimited design possibilities for customers.
These systems can be shipped like freight containers, but then in a matter of hours, the modules can be configured into a high-end, fully functioning one or two-story school, military barrack, office or medical centre, says Greg Moore, vice president of business development at Maersk Line, Limited.
The current market for state-of-the art, configurable, portable building structures is wide open, says Craig Severance, co-founder of IMS, who along with his partner John Diserens, left successful careers in commercial real estate to form IMS. Both Diserens and Severance were also involved in non-profit work in the developing world and wanted to create a business that would combine that interest with their business expertise.
A two-story office model already in use at APM Terminals Portsmouth terminal, here on display at the National Defence Transportation Association Forum in Washington D.C. in September. It is 40 ft wide by 24 ft deep, including an observation deck and an interior stairway.
Our building system combines the benefits of a permanent building with those of a temporary, transportable building without the drawbacks of either, says Severance.
The business potential
Even though the business is still in its early years and the partnership is barely 1-month old, both Maersk and IMS see solid market opportunities ahead.
With Maersk as a partner, we get the scalable manufacturing and the global reach we need to compete aggressively in most local markets, says Severance.
The strength and transportability of the steel-framed structure make IMS systems particularly well suited for a variety of immediate and long-term building options in seismic and severe weather prone areas of the world. Military use is another opportunity, where office and operational housing must be sophisticated but also easily and rapidly moved from one location to another.
Maersk Line Limited CEO, John Reinhart, describes the partnership as a win-win for the company. For Maersk, its an opportunity to leverage the expertise of these business units to deliver an innovative product and also tap a potential revenue stream that isn’t tied to global trade.
A long line of features
Essential features including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire sprinklers and low voltage distribution are installed and connected at MCIs factory in Dongguan, China.
Full insulation, dry-wall, energy-efficient climate control, carpet and much more can also be included in any system.
More information could be found here!