Inside the ever-evolving world of container design and engineering
Royal Wolf and United Rentals container innovation driven by team expertise
Taking a customer’s vision for a shipping container and turning it into a practical, fully operational solution is no small feat.
At Royal Wolf’s Centre of Excellence, a dedicated team of self-confessed “container geeks” and seasoned engineers thrive on these challenges, working together to bring groundbreaking container innovations to life.
Tackling the tough jobs
The challenge of developing container products, that have never been created before, is what Royal Wolf’s 13 strong team of engineering and design experts enjoy most about the work they do.
Dale Garson, Royal Wolf’s General Manager Engineering, says: “We have the expertise and capability in house to do a forensic review of containers and know how containers move and how they flex. That's where the container nerdiness comes in and it's something we're quite proud of about what we do.
“Innovation, creativity and problem solving comes together with design and engineering expertise to make a container project a reality,” says Garson.
There is, says Garson, only so much you can fit inside a container which is where advanced engineering skills, such as finite element analysis, are crucial.
“We have to consider what is being asked for inside that footprint, and if it doesn’t fit, what compromises and trade-offs can be made, which are not detrimental to the container, to achieve a result.”
Constantly learning and evolving
Garson points to a recent project involving the development of a prototype custom container to house a data center.
“It was oversize, meaning it not only required a customized solution to fit the customer’s equipment, but also to meet strict fire and security requirements and air conditioning standards.
“So we have to understand everything from structural standards and ventilation, through to building code and fire standards, as well as dangerous goods and explosive standards.
“There is a continual cycle of learning that goes into container design that enables us to take on new challenges. That’s what we thrive on as an engineering and design team - the never ending scope of what can be done inside a shipping container.”
Container innovation driven by team expertise
Royal Wolf’s ongoing innovation has been enabled by the evolution of the Centre of Excellence team to support the needs of the business and increase its capability to service the ever-changing and growing needs of customers.
The future of container design are products such as the Royal Wolf Site Hub, a fully self-sufficient solar powered work site container, and a Personnel Restraint Module (PRM) prototype which has been produced for the Australian Defence Force.
“These are innovative container solutions that are already being evolved and developed further by Royal Wolf in collaboration with our customers to ensure they continue to meet their current and future needs,” says Garson.
Game changing containers
The Site Hub can be operational within minutes of being lifted into any location by eliminating the need for external infrastructure such as power and wastewater connections, generators, and fuel deliveries.
Garson says significant cost savings are possible due to the use of renewable energy, a 1000 litre potable water tank, and a self-contained ablutions and sewerage system.
“To make the Site Hub a true game changer we knew everything had to be on board. Potable water is a real rarity. Our customers often double-check with us that the water is actually drinkable out of the tap.”
As part of Royal Wolf’s ongoing container innovation, a new version of the Site Hub – the V4 – has been developed and will be available in 2025.
“Among the many upgrades and featured inclusions, the V4 has separate male and female toilets, providing flexibility and convenience for customers, and is currently being assessed for suitability in the toughest cyclonic regions in Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s exciting and a great example of how we are constantly innovating to meet customer’s future needs,” says Garson.
