Why did GE SeaCo develop the SeaCell?
To satisfy a demand for a deepsea palletwide container that shippers could use to “bridge the gap” between regional palletwide markets. GE SeaCo has supplied regional palletwide container for years for instance swapbodies and euroboxes in Europe, palletwide regional boxes in Australia, South Africa, South America and North America, but these due to their design were restricted to those regions only. SeaCell was designed for both regional and deepsea use and is a truly worldwide palletwide container.

Will SeaCell cause ship owners any operational problems?
No, SeaCell both shoreside and on vessels uses existing infrastructure and consequently can be introduced without any operational problems. The same spreaders, road vehicles, rail wagons, mafi trailers, cellular and non cellular vessels are used for both SeaCell and standard 8ft containers.

Can SeaCells operate in a mixed SeaCell and 8ft box service?
Yes, SeaCells can be located on vessels alongside other SeaCells or alongside standard 8ft containers. Mix and match is possible even in close 25mm (1 inch) locations.

Will SeaCells with their external corrugations be more vulnerable to damage?
No the sidewall corrugation profile is immensely strong and our experience is that SeaCells are more damage resistant than standard 8ft boxes which have a “lazy” corrugation. Lessees have also reported that their experience is the same as ours, with SeaCells having lower repair bills than standard 8ft boxes.

Explain how SeaCells can fit into cell guides?
It is only the body of the SeaCell that is over width the end frames are still 8ft (2438mm) width and as such, have the same end frame width as standard 8ft containers. Consequently SeaCells fit into cellular vessels as the end frames are the correct width for the guides and the over width body of the SeaCell is using what is normally wasted space in the cells between containers.

Will depots require any special equipment or tools to maintain SeaCells?
No, SeaCells can be maintained in existing container repair depots without need for any special tools or training. There are however a few parts on the SeaCell that are different from standard containers and depots can either manufacture these themselves or obtain them from SeaCell parts sources around the world.

Will SeaCells give me the same life as standard containers?
Certainly and perhaps more due to the immensely strong design of the SeaCell.

Can I buy SeaCells?
Yes, GE SeaCo both leases and sells SeaCell units to shipping lines, forwarders and manufactures. Steam Shipping lines and operators can purchase SeaCells painted in their own livery and number sequence.

Are SeaCells heavier than standard containers?
Yes they are but only marginally. As an example 40ft high cube SeaCells are 370kg (815lbs) heavier than a standard 8ft unit, but despite this are able to carry 3150kg (6945lbs) more payload as they are 34000kg (74970) rated rather than the standard 30480kg (67208lbs) rating.

Do SeaCells cost more than standard boxes?
Yes. However the nominal extra cost which works out to a few cents per day in lease rate is more than outweighed by the benefits of SeaCells to shippers, who can carry more cube, payload or pallets in each SeaCell.