More than 20 freight containers were displayed at the 31st Intermodal conference and exhibition for the container and intermodal industries in Hamburg this month.

Among new products showcased was Canadian manufacturer Conforce International's Eko-Flor container flooring system. Designed to replace traditional wooden floors in shipping containers, the Eko-Flor was certified by the American Bureau of Shipping three weeks ago.

US-based CakeBoxx LLC introduced a new doorless cargo container concept. CakeBoxx invented the doorless container after speaking to US authorities and companies about theft and cargo inspection difficulties.

The doorless product was said to reduce terrorism risks and facilitate tracking. The container's first trials will be in 2007.

Dutch company Unit45 BV displayed the 2,500th 45-foot container to join its lease fleet and new bulk and reefer products.

A stand-out attraction was the Art-on-a-Box project, initiated by the Port of Amsterdam at Intermodal 2005 in Bilbao, Spain, to raise Amsterdam's profile as a container port and international logistics hub. Twelve Amsterdam artists will each paint a 40-foot container with imagery of their city port over four years.

The Intermodal conference drew more than 100 delegates and focused on the need for effective transport capacity management across Europe. New to Intermodal was a tank transport and logistics module that covered new developments, especially in the regulatory sector.

Intermodal 2006, organised by Informa Maritime & Transport, was held at the Hamburg Messe from December 5 to December 7.