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Shipping Container Mobilities, Seamless Compatibility, and the Global Surface of Logistical Integration

Author

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  • Craig Martin

    (Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX, England)

Abstract

Recent notions of surface emanating from poststructuralist theories posit surface as an ‘event’: expressionistic, restless, turbulent. In this paper I focus on a different idea of surface: one where the multiplicity of such restlessness is apparently immobilised. This perspective is tellingly advocated by the logistically driven movement of commodities on a global scale. Steinberg has argued that postmodern capitalism utilises a spatial logic that is redolent of earlier forms of capitalism, viewing ocean space in particular as a controllable void. Building on this debate, I set out to interrogate the construction of a ‘global surface of logistical integration’: those spatiotemporal mechanisms of control employed by the commercial logistics sector, which attempt to create an integrated and continuous global surface devoid of differences between ocean and land. In particular, the intermodal shipping container and its attendant apparatus of standardisation is taken as a paradigm of producing surface compatibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Craig Martin, 2013. "Shipping Container Mobilities, Seamless Compatibility, and the Global Surface of Logistical Integration," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 45(5), pages 1021-1036, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:45:y:2013:i:5:p:1021-1036
    DOI: 10.1068/a45171
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Henry & Christopher Rosin & Sarah Edwards, 2023. "Governing taste: data, temporality and everyday kiwifruit dry matter performances," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(2), pages 519-531, June.
    2. Emma Spence, 2014. "Unraveling the Politics of Super-rich Mobility: A Study of Crew and Guest on Board Luxury Yachts," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(3), pages 401-413, September.
    3. Jason Monios, 2023. "When smooth space becomes turbulent: The collapse of Hanjin Shipping and the immobilisation of ships, containers, goods and people," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 55(2), pages 320-338, March.

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