How To Scrap an Old Shipping Container
If your shipping container has seen better days, scrapping it may be the most practical option. Rust, dents, or a warped structure can make a
Article Written By: Connor Bath
Date: 20/08/2025
✅ Purchase a high-quality padlock, specifically designed for container use.
✅ Install a weld-on or bolt-on lock box with a high-security shrouded or alarm padlock.
✅ Add crossbar locks or door reinforcement bars for extra protection.
✅ Fit lock rod covers and hinge guards to prevent cutting attacks.
✅ Place the container within a fenced compound and add solar motion lights.
✅ Use CCTV or 4G trail cameras (battery powered) for surveillance.
✅ Install a battery powered GSM/4G alarm system with door or vibration sensors.
✅ Anchor the container to the ground or another structure.
✅ Conceal a GPS tracker inside for theft recovery.
✅ Apply forensic property marking to deter resale of stolen goods.
✅ Carry out regular checks and restrict access to trusted users only.
✅ Park a vehicle or heavy object in front of the container doors to block access.
✅ Position the container out of sight from public roads and footpaths.
A shipping container can hold expensive tools, equipment, or stock. Leaving it with minimal protection makes it an easy target for opportunistic thieves. Proper security not only prevents break ins but also deters thieves in the first place. By combining physical locks, surveillance, and alarms, you create a layered defence that is much harder to overcome.
The first step in protecting a shipping container is to ensure the doors are fitted with strong locks. Standard padlocks are not enough, as they can be easily cut or forced. Specialised container locks provide the first line of defence against thieves.
These are heavy duty padlocks designed specifically for container use. They are often shrouded or disc style locks that fit tightly into lock boxes for maximum protection.
Recommended Product: CISA / Magmaus Container Padlock – approx £60 to £70.
These shield your padlock from bolt cutters and prying tools.
Recommended Product: Shipping Container Weld-On Lock Box – approx £75 incl VAT.
Heavy-duty steel bars that span across both container doors, preventing them from opening even if the locking rods are tampered with.
Recommended Product: Container Door Security Bar – approx £95 to £120.
Padlocks with built in sirens deter thieves immediately if tampered with.
Recommended Product: APECS PDZ Alarm Padlock – approx £45 to £55.
Even with strong locks, thieves may try to attack the hinges, locking rods, or door edges of a shipping container. Reinforcing these weak points makes forced entry much more difficult.
Container door locking rods can be cut with power tools if left exposed. Adding a steel sleeve or cover makes them much harder to attack.
Typical Cost: approx £40 to £80 per set.
Standard container hinges can be cut or hammered off. Installing hinge protection plates or anti tamper hinge covers prevents this.
Typical Cost: approx £30 to £60 per set.
An additional steel bar fitted across the container doors adds another layer of physical strength. These bolt into place and work alongside lock boxes.
Typical Cost: approx £70 to £120.
Welding extra brackets around lock points and hinge areas adds resistance against grinders or crowbars.
Typical Cost: £50 to £100 depending on fabrication.
Securing the area around the container is just as important as locking the container itself. Good perimeter security makes it much harder for thieves to reach the doors without being noticed.
Secure the container within a fenced compound with a lockable gate.
Price Estimate: Mesh fencing panels start around £50 each.
Motion activated solar LED floodlights are ideal for off grid use. Bright lighting discourages thieves from approaching under cover of darkness alerting you or nearby neighbours.
Price Estimate: approx £30 to £40.
Simple but effective. Gravel makes it noisy for anyone approaching, alerting you or nearby neighbours.
Price Estimate: £3 to £5 per m².
Where possible, place your container behind buildings, hedges, or fencing so it cannot be seen from public roads or footpaths. Reducing visibility reduces the risk of opportunistic targeting.
Parking a vehicle, trailer, or heavy equipment directly in front of the container doors makes it physically harder for thieves to attempt entry.
Surveillance is one of the best deterrents available. Visible cameras act as a warning, while hidden cameras provide valuable evidence if a theft occurs.
Visible cameras act as a strong deterrent. Battery or solar models avoid wiring requirements.
Approximate Price: £220 to £250.
Trail cameras are discreet, battery powered units that can be hidden nearby. They capture images or video when motion is detected.
Approximate Price: £200 to £250.
Alarms provide an immediate response to tampering. They can scare off thieves at the scene and notify you straight away.
Battery powered contact alarms trigger when the doors are opened without authorisation.
Approximate Price: £15 to £25.
These alarms detect cutting, prying, or attempts to move the container.
Approximate Price: £30 to £60.
GSM alarm kits send instant alerts to your phone when triggered. They are ideal for remote locations without mains power.
Approximate Price: £220 to £230.
The location of the container and how it is secured to the ground can make a big difference. A well placed and anchored container is much harder to move or break into.
Strategic Placement: Position containers in visible locations, overlooked by houses, roads, or offices.
Anchoring: Use ground bolts or chains to secure the container to a fixed structure.
Approximate Price: £60 to £120.
Asset marking and tracking provide an additional safety net. Even if thieves manage to gain entry, these measures help with recovery.
Small, concealed trackers allow monitoring of movement. Look for battery powered, long life models.
Approximate Price: £200 to £250.
Unique forensic paints or UV kits deter resale and aid recovery.
Approximate Price: £20 to £50.
Even with the best equipment, security can be compromised by human error. Good habits and controlled access help prevent theft.
Regular Checks: Inspect doors and locks for tampering.
Controlled Access: Limit who has keys or codes.
Access Records: Keep a log of who entered and when, especially in business use.
The most effective approach is combining methods. Each layer provides protection against a different type of attack. The more layers you add, the less attractive your container becomes.
Basic Security: Weld on lock box + alarm padlock.
Intermediate Security: Add solar lighting, vehicle blocking, and 4G trail camera.
Advanced Security: Include GSM alarm, GPS tracker, and anchoring with reinforced hinges and rods, while ensuring the container is hidden from public view.
A shipping container may look strong, but without the right protection it can be vulnerable. By combining high security locks, physical reinforcements, perimeter defences, concealment, surveillance, and alarms, you greatly reduce the chances of theft. Battery powered and solar solutions make it easy to secure containers even in off grid locations.
Simple measures such as parking a vehicle in front of the doors and keeping the container out of public view can further deter opportunistic thieves. Investing in these layers of protection is a cost effective way to keep your assets safe.
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