Final answer:
Shippers package materials to protect them, reduce costs, and maximize profits by using efficient practices like stacked intermodal containers, which also foster better utilization of various transportation modes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When shippers package material, they are trying to accomplish several key objectives. They aim to protect the content during transit, maximize space by stacking cargo efficiently such as with the intermodal containers, and reduce shipping costs, which include the costs associated with loading and unloading, termed as breaking bulk. Packaging materials effectively allows for goods to be transported over long distances, such as the 10,400 km shipping route from Shanghai to Los Angeles, without damage. Efficient packaging also keeps costs low, enabling maximization of profits by maintaining lower prices and competitive market positioning. The design of shipping containers, which can be easily stacked and handled, has been a revolutionary advancement, reducing the cost and increasing the speed of shipping. It also allows for the containers to be used across various modes of transport, such as trucks, trains, and ships, making the shipping process more efficient. These strategies ensure that shipping routes remain economical while catering to the changes in market demands and trade patterns.