Types and sizes of containers

Types of Sea large-capacity containers (General purpose) containers vary in type and size.

For any kind of cargo you can choose the container most appropriate to its parameters. The massive use got
the standard, so-called "dry" containers (DC - Dry Container):

- For the transport of "dense" or heavy goods of small size are more suitable for 20-foot containers;
- lightweight, but the bulk of the cargo 40 ' standard or high (High Cube) containers;

in addition to these, there are other types of containers, such as:

Refrigerated containers used for goods requiring compliance with temperature regime;
Oren tor (instead of a hard roof soft awning) - easy to load from above;
Flat Rack (open area) - for the transport of oversized cargo;
Tank containers (Tank) for liquid and gaseous substances;

A short history to shipping container dimensions

The idea of loading merchandise onto trucks, then moving onto trains or ships and
then loading them back onto trucks came about over 60 years ago. It originated from
a small-time truck hauler by the name of Malcolm McLean from Maxton, North
Carolina.

McLean greatly improved this process by placing merchandise into containers so that
entire containers can be lifted and loaded from the chassis. The next step was to
standardize the shipping container dimensions for easy handling by trucks, trains,
ships and ports around the world.

This standardization of shipping container dimensions made a substantial

global impact on world trade. It allowed manufacturers to load goods at their
factories and ship directly to stores and warehouses without having to unload and
transfer their cargo along the way. This meant that manufacturing processes could be
located far away from customers but still provide customers with an unimaginable
variety of low-cost goods from across the globe. Today, there are 5,000 freighters
carrying over 14 million containers to ports all over the world.

Types of containers and their dimensions: which is best

for you
ISO standard containers have been customized to meet the demands of exporters and
importers in international trade. With 12 different ocean shipping container types and
a variety of sizes to choose from within those types, it’s possible to ship everything
from bulk grains and raw materials to perishable commodities. If you want to know
the space required for your cargo, check our cubic meter calculator.

CALCULATE OCEAN FREIGHT

In this guide, we will walk you through the different ocean container types
and their shipping container dimensions including:

 20 ft dry shipping container

 40 ft dry shipping container
 40 ft dry high cube shipping container
 45 ft dry high cube shipping container
 20 ft flat rack shipping container
 40 ft flat rack shipping container
 20 ft open top shipping container
 40 ft open top shipping container
 20 ft ventilated shipping container
 20 ft refrigerated shipping container
 40 ft refrigerated shipping container
 20 ft tank shipping container

Standard shipping container dimensions

The 20 ft standard shipping container and the 40 ft standard shipping container are
two of the most widely used containers in the world to transport ocean freight goods.
The standard shipping containers differ from other types of containers in that they are
completely airtight. These hermetically sealed shipping containers are not equipped
with cooling nor ventilation systems like the refrigerated and ventilated containers.
The 20 ft standard shipping container can hold up to 10 standard pallets or 11 Euro
pallets across its floor base.
The standard shipping containers are also known as dry shipping containers or dry
vans.
Ventilated shipping container dimensions
The 20 ft ventilated container is a shipping container that offers a ventilation system
due to its lateral openings that permit air flow and circulation.
These characteristics make it suitable for the transportation of goods that require
constant temperature and conditions.
Thanks to its ventilation system, the 20 ft ventilated container is able to expel hot air
and allow fresh air to enter, thus preventing condensation and humidity changes that
may damage the cargo.
One of the main products transported in the ventilated container is coffee, which is
why it may also sometimes also be known as the “coffee container”.
Refrigerated shipping container dimensions
Refrigerated shipping containers, also known as reefer containers, are equipped with
a system that helps to maintain an internal temperature of between -25º and + 25º.
Contrary to popular belief, these refrigerated containers do not regulate
temperatures, they can only maintain them.
There are certain types of refrigerated containers that are capable of maintaining
temperatures as low as -60º.
Although refrigerated containers have integrated systems that help with maintaining
the internal temperature, the container must be connected to an external power
source such as the vessel’s generator or the port’s power supply.
When booking a reefer container, it is important to make sure that necessary
equipment is available throughout the entire international transport chain (from pick
up to drop off) to help power the container and maintain its internal temperature.
Reefer containers are most commonly used to transport fresh and frozen foods such
as fish, meat, fruits, and other perishable items. It is also regularly used to transport
medicines and pharmaceutical products.
Flat rack shipping container dimensions
Flat rack shipping containers are designed to transport merchandise whose overall
measurements and/or weight prevent them from fitting into a standard container.
These containers are made of metal plates that fit a standard structure of 20 or 40
feet. Its sides are collapsible and it does not have a roof or top. This makes it easy for
top- or side-loading. Such features make flat rack containers suitable for transporting:

 Heavy or over-sized cargo such as construction equipment, building supplies or

heavy machinery. These cargoes usually need to be loaded onto the flat rack
with a crane or other special equipment.
 Goods with a height higher than that of a 20 or 40 ft high cube container or
irregularly shaped goods such as industrial vehicles or pipes.
Because the flat rack container has no side or top to protect the cargo, extra care
must be taken to prevent damage by weather conditions such as heavy rain or strong
winds. Lashing the cargo will help secure the cargo and make sure it stays in its place.
When booking a flat rack shipping container, make sure to clearly indicate lifting
points for your over- or odd-sized cargo to avoid damages — especially for heavy
machinery. Remember to also specify any special handling instructions to your freight
forwarder.
Open top shipping container dimensions
Open top containers, be it 20 ft or 40 ft, fall within the category of standard
containers, despite not having a roof.
The type of goods typically transported in open top containers is essentially the same
as those being transported in flat rack containers, but with more irregular heights.
Some examples include goods that are too heavy for manual handling and must be
lifted and loaded with a crane, or top-protruding merchandise that cannot fit into a 40
ft high cube standard container.
Unlike the flat rack, which also has no roof, open top containers have walls to protect
the goods. A tarpaulin will be needed to cover the top to protect the merchandise.
Note that the opening of an open top shipping container through which you load your
cargo is slightly smaller than the container’s interior. This is similar to the door of a
regular container and it’s for structural integrity purposes. In other words, there is less
room to work with for maneuvering when loading your cargo through the top of an
open top shipping container.
A 20 ft open top container has a maximum load of approximately 28 metric tons,
while the 40 ft open top container can hold up to 30 metric tons.
Due to low demand for open top containers, some carriers may find it difficult to
secure cargo requiring open top containers to be able to send the containers back to
the origin. As such, carriers may implement an extra cost to transport open top
containers, which can vary according to the destination.
When booking an open top shipping container, make sure lifting points for your over-
or odd-sized cargo are well-indicated to avoid damages and specify handling

instructions to your freight forward.

ISO tank shipping container dimensions
ISO tank or ISO containers are containers specially designed to transport liquids or
gases. They can hold bulk cargoes ranging from perishable liquids such as oil or wine
to hazardous substances.
Additional requirements will need to be fulfilled when shipping hazardous substances
in ISO tanks. And once an ISO tank has been tagged to ship hazardous substances, it
can no longer be used to ship food, and vice versa.
The ISO tank is supported on a structure that can be adjusted according to its
dimensions. It’s also lined with an insulating material that protects it from the cargo
it’s transporting.
ISO tanks offer one of the most effective intermodal transportation methods for bulk
cargo. They are safer, offer more flexibility, are more environmentally friendly, and
relatively cheaper than other options such as OTR tank trucks.
The most commonly used ISO tanks measure 20 or 40 ft there are also 10 and 30 ft
long ISO tanks. They’re also widely known as ISO containers or tank containers.
How to quote and book non-standard shipping containers
At iContainers, we offer the 20 ft and 40 ft standard container, as well as the 40 ft
high cube standard container. You may get your quote for any of these types of
containers in seconds by searching on our website.
If shipping irregular cargo, the dimensions and weight of the merchandise determine
which ocean container type can best accommodate your shipment. This information
and a photograph or spec sheet must be submitted to your freight forwarder, who will
handle the booking with the shipping line. They will then give you a detailed
assessment of fees and customize your cargo solution.
If you’re interested in booking other ocean shipping container types, please contact
our sales representatives.

Each cargo has specific requirements for the containers used for transportation. The several types of containers are
specially designed for those requirements.

It is a responsibility of the shipper to ensure, that transportation requirements of your cargo are fulfilled, i.e. to make
sure the goods are packed and stowed in the right container and safe conditions and he must inspect it previously for
the effect.

Depending on various factors, dimensions and capacity of each container of same type may be slightly different. The
maximum payload of each container furthermore depends also on legal road limitations and/or on the handling
capacity of all ports in all countries crossed between Origin and Destination. You must therefore consult us when
booking a container. Transcinco can assist you with more useful information.

8 minutes to read

Shipping containers across the globe sizes follow the international standard called the ISO
(Industrial Standards Organisation). These containers have been created specifically to
meet the demands of exporters and importers in international trade. There are twelve
different categories of ISO containers and a variety of types to choose from within those
categories, it’s possible to ship everything from bulk grains and raw materials to perishable
commodities.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH CONTAINER TO USE?

The various types of shipping containers have identifying serial numbers that act as a mark
to helps shippers and freight forwarders track containers as they move through the
shipping process.

The identifying mark vary and are combined of the following:

 The first three letters are the owner code, that is an abbreviation for the name of the
owner of the container and is registered with the ICB (International Container
Bureau).
 The fourth letter is known as the product code: U for all freight containers; J for
detachable freight container equipment and; Z for trailers and chassis.
 The following six digits represent the registration number assigned by the owner
operator to each container in their fleet.
 The final digit is the check digit, placed in brackets. This is a control number used to
verify the owner, product code, and serial number.
 There is also an identifying code for the container type, the tare weight (weight of
the empty container), gross weight and maximum payload.

The different shipping containers sizes and their dimensions are outlined below:

HOW ARE SHIPPING CONTAINERS CONSTRUCTED?

Containers are built from thick non-corrosive steel and square tubing frame. The sides are
built from 14 gauge, non-corrosive rolled steel that is corrugated to add rigidity and then
welded to the steel frame.
The floor of containers are made of the same square steel tubing for the frame and a thick
plywood floor attached to the cross braces.

The corner posts are designed to take the weight of nine containers stacked on top of one
another. Each container has a door opening at one end.

Standard containers are 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”, However, the 40-foot and 45-foot containers are
becoming just as common. An empty 20-foot container weighs approximately 5,500 pounds
and can carry 65,000 pounds of goods.

When talking about containers the cargo statistics are calculated in TEU (20-foot equivalent
units). Therefore, a 20 foot container would be 1 TEU, a 40-foot container would be 2 TEUs
and so on. As newer super freighters become more commonplace, the sizes of containers
are increasing as well, with some measuring as long as some as long as 57ft.

In Europe however, it’s worth noting that the larger sized containers are frown upon
because of the older and more narrow streets in many European cities make it difficult for
large trucks to navigate. This has been known to cause numerous congestions.

Please contact our sales team if you would like more information about container shipping.