Initially opening its doors in 2005 trading as a one-man army, Port Containers has grown into a strong powerhouse of more than 50 employees. With only the satisfaction of the customers in mind and through a dedicated and home grown manufacturing process, Port Containers has raised the bar in Australian container modification and is proud to facilitate all services and production locally without outsourcing. With a client roster in the thousands spanning nationwide in Australia, Port Containers is one of a very small number of companies based in Australia that specialises in container modifications. Now, to celebrate its 10th year of providing quality shipping containers and services, check out our top 10 Container Modifications we have designed and constructed for our happy customers.
Our 10 Best Mods in 10 Years!
#10 – DeWALT Display Container
Stanley Black & Decker contacted Port to design and construct a display container to showcase there DeWALT power tool products at trade shows across the country. Two roller doors were installed to open up the side wall of the container, so customers could easily walk in and try out the demonstration models on offer. The roller doors also allow for fast opening and closing of the unit, keeping the unit and its contents safe and secure when not in use. The exterior was painted with the colours and branding of the company’s corporate identity, whilst the interior walls were painted in jet black including the checker plate flooring that was installed. We insulated the ceiling to cut down the external heat plus added an internal partition and staircase that lead to an access hatch to the roof. On top of the container we attached a webforge platform with safety railing to create a second level for additional event activities. This use of a modified container is a great way to promote a company’s branding.
#9 Staff Room with Fold Up Ramps
Built for a mining company, this unit accommodates staff on their lunch breaks. This unit was kitted out with a range of features. External lighting built into the container profile and fold out awnings allows employees to easily wash up outside using the water trough before they go inside to rest. The 20ft container was fully insulated with air conditioning so it was comfortable in any climate. An internal partition was installed with a bathroom on one side and a lunch room on the other. The lunchroom consisted on a kitchenette for meal preparation plus plenty of bench seating and table space. The two room were built on top of a 10,000 litre underfloor sump which collected waste from the bathroom toilet and sinks. We then designed and constructed fold down ramps for ease of access to the rooms.
#8 Depot Restaurant Container Bar
Port Containers was contracted by The Depot Restaurants Newcastle to custom build both their restaurant bars out of Shipping Container materials to complement their rustic industrial theme. We literally cut shipping containers in half to create the structure of the 7.5m bar, then fitted granite bench tops with refrigeration units underneath for cold storage. The Depot on Darby and The Depot on Beaumont serve up dishes of delicious modern Australian cuisine from each of their cosmopolitan locations, both located in cultural hotspots in the city. If you’re visiting Newcastle be sure to check them out and see the container bars we designed for them.
#7 A Total Worksite Solution
This project consisted of numerous modified containers built by Port including workshops, lunchrooms, site offices accommodation units and more. We were contracted by one of Australia’s largest mining company’s to design and construct a total worksite solution that would keep the company productive and efficient. The complete site had a total of 26 modified containers which were covered by two large shelters. Using containers for these structures also allow the site to be easily dismantled and moved where needed.
#6 Re-compression Chamber
We designed and constructed a heavily modified container to house a specialised Recompression Chamber built by Cowan Manufacturing Pty Ltd. This containerised recompression chamber was built for the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Navy EOD unit (explosive ordnance disposal). It will be taken to sites where these facilities are needed to treat divers in need.
This containerised chamber has all of the equipment inside ready to go so they can transfer the chamber to the site and within one hour can be operational. So why build these units inside a shipping container? Our containers are robust and secure. They can be on the site and the whole system can be moved away from the danger area when in use.
The container was fully insulated and featured a steel wall partition, double side opening doors with weatherproof canvas canopy and removable floor panels, air conditioner, louvered vents, signage, vinyl flooring and electrical fit out.
#5 Six Shooter Cafe
This modified container is a great example of the limitless creativity our team can bring to our customers. This ‘Shipping Container Shop’ was custom built for the recently opened coffee shop ‘Six Shooter – High Calibre Coffee’. Built with an industrial saloon theme, the container features a servery window with fold out bench, internal servery bench, barn style side opening doors, stainless sink, order counter with hinged bench, small wash basin, 25L hot water system, insulated roof and an electrical fit out. The business name comes from the term ‘a six shooter’ which was slang for describing a ‘strong coffee’ back in early western times. Business owner Nick Galanomatis wanted a point of difference from your standard coffee shop, something unique that had a real ‘wow’ factor, something that could be branded when the business eventually expands.
And that is the real point of difference as these container shops can be easily expanded as they are modular, plus they can be permanently fixed or portable with the ability to be moved site to site ready for immediate use.
#4 The Ultimate Workshop
This transportable workshop was designed and developed by Port Containers for remote use on mining and construction sites.
It has two double side opening doors which have four pull down heavy duty workbenches attached. Once the workshop doors are opened a motorised retractable awning is set-up to increase the roof line to maximise shade and working space. Inside the container are two rotatable vices, a drill press and disk grinder, air compressor facilities and a caged storage area with shelving and shadow board for tools and fasteners. The workshops electrical fit out consists of multiple power outlets and a range of lights including internal and external fluorescent lights and 4 high powered spotlights.
#3 Mobile Accommodation Unit
Port Containers designed and constructed a transportable accommodation unit that could be taken from site to site to accommodate working staff. This unit features four bedrooms all fitted with a single bed, fridge, storage cabinet and air conditioning. There was also a lunch room with kitchen and dining area plus a separate bathroom and laundry area. Attached to the front of the container we installed a hydraulic deck that could be raised during transport. The containers electrical fit out can be powered by mains, or if in a remote area can be powered by the 20KVA diesel generator mounted at the end of the unit. The accommodation unit was locked onto a custom built trailer for easy transportation. When the deck is lowered, fold up railings can be raised and locked into the platform. Removable ramps also slide out from underneath the deck and fix onto each end so that the accommodation unit is easily accessible.
#2 Container Retreat
Port Containers was involved with the construction of a very impressive container home built in the beautiful Central Coast Hinterland, New South Wales. We supplied all the modified containers used in the project featuring a container with a hydraulic deck that lowered from one of the side walls revealing the picturesque valley below. This unit with a few other modified containers built by Port Container Services has had its final fit out applied by architect Drew Heath. The ‘Container Retreat’ was designed as a place for mountain bikers to stay and enjoy the tracks around the complex. Featuring a kitchen, dining area, bedroom and bathroom set under a large roof with rolling walls to enclose the open areas between the containers. Water tanks and solar panels were also installed collect water from the roof and power the site.
#1 Tough Mudder Container
Contracted by Showvision Australia, here we built a transportable Media Centre for the ‘Tough Mudder’ events that are held across the country anually. Built from a 20′ High Cube shipping container, the final fit out had two internally mounted 50″ screens on each side wall and four 50″ screens mounted in the external compartment. The containers side walls where converted into two hydraulic decks which were then covered by remote controlled retractable awnings that were built into the structure for easy transport and stacking. The roof was lined and included LED lights. The flooring was removed and lined with aluminium checker-plate. The container was painted black internally and army camouflage colours on the outside.
This container has been transported to multiple events across the country where contenders can see statistics and look at photos of the event.
We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing our top 10 modified containers. With 10 years tucked under our belts, the future looks bright for this company which started its humble beginnings with one thing in mind – customer satisfaction! Whatever your container requirements, Port Containers is the right name to call for professional container services in Australia.
