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Home » Shipping Containers: Dimensions, Types, and Tracking Tools

Shipping Containers: Dimensions, Types, and Tracking Tools

Shipping Containers

A Shipping Container is used to transport goods from one port to another, through container ships or by different successive modes of transport. This metal container has the shape of a parallelepiped. The dimensions of a container vary according to its type: 20ft or 40ft container including 20ft flat rack container for sale, dry or high cube containers, etc. The height, width, and length are not the same depending on the shipping container used. Capacity or payload also varies and can be expressed in cubic meters to estimate volume, or in kg to estimate maximum weight.

How to find it? What tools such as using a temperature indicator to use for freight tracking? Read this article to have advice and solid notions in transport and thus avoid seasickness for all your goods.

The different types of containers

Transport by shipping containers has participated in the development of new services in the world: to meet needs and demand, and to adapt to any environment, the construction of certain types of containers has thus been necessary.

Some companies, for example, PelicanContainers, use specific variants and techniques for reasons of safety, storage, lifting, delivery, return trip, or operating conditions. Discover a modular offer with many models.

The standard dry container

The dry container is the most used shipping container because it is suitable for the majority of the transport of so-called dry goods, such as wooden or cardboard boxes, pallets, barrels or drums, etc.

Characteristics of the dry container:

  • equipped with a roof and sidewalls,
  • completely closed and airtight,
  • unfailingly solid,
  • rainproof,
  • doors located at the ends,
  • stable, firm, and resistant floor,
  • sockets (rings) for transshipment.

The open-top container with a sunroof

The open-top container is characterized by its opening roof. This container was created to allow the loading of bulky objects that cannot be dismantled or heavy products from above-using cranes.

Miscellaneous equipment of the open-top container:

  • no hard roof (open roof),
  • upper protection by tarpaulin or removable cover,
  • large removable metal handles,
  • doors mounted on hinges,
  • detachable cross beams above each door,
  • other characteristics similar to the dry container.

The reefer container

The reefer container is designed to be able to control the temperature in order to maintain the quality of the cargo during transport. This type of container is generally equipped with an electric motor to regulate the temperature of the interior atmosphere. This refrigerated container is used in particular to maintain the cold chain for food products, frozen products, and perishable goods transiting through hot countries.

The possibilities of the different reefer containers:

  • maintain a defined room temperature,
  • heating continuously up to + 30°C, for example,
  • cooling continuously down to – 35°C, for example,
  • offer an isothermal function such as a cooler.

The open-side container

The open side container is characterized by a possible side opening over its entire length: it is thus possible to load objects or goods whose length is imposing by forklift.

Usual characteristics of an open side container:

  • always equipped with side doors or double doors,
  • often provided with doors at the ends,
  • robust and secure,
  • weatherproof,
  • wooden floor most of the time,
  • closure with padlock cover,
  • closure with latch handle.

The tank container

The tank container is used to transport gases, liquids or products in powder form. For safety reasons, the ISO 1496 standard defines the conditions and specifications of the tank container. Companies must respect them to avoid any risk of explosion resulting in human and financial losses.

In particular, the tank must be placed in a frame so that it is mobile, in order to facilitate loading and unloading. The set should be cleaned regularly.

The flat rack container

The flat rack container is characterized by folding ends on the floor. The base is used to place the load, and the side walls (rigid or not) are used to secure the load by means of sideboards or storage pits. The 20ft flat rack container for sale is used, for example, for transporting vehicles: it is very useful for transporting any bulky load such as a boat, a tractor, or an oversized load (width or height).

The floor of a flat rack container is designed to carry heavy loads safely. This container is foldable to facilitate its flat storage or storage: the walls fold down on the floor.

Capacity, size, and dimensions of containers

How big is a 20ft container?  What are the dimensions of a 40ft high cube container? What is their capacity? You know about this all points to choose the right container for your purposes. This is important information because all containers in the world are manufactured according to some safety and quality standards.

ISO standards define standards, such as the standard width of 8 feet, equal to 243.84 cm. In some particular cases, the size of a shipping container can also vary depending on the transport company or the type of goods to be transported.

Transport capacity according to TEU and tare

The average transport capacity or tare of a container varies according to its TEU:

  • 2.3 tons for a 1 TEU (20 feet) container,
  • 3.0 tons for a 1.5 TEU container (between 20 and 40 feet),
  • 3.7 tons for a 2 TEU container (40 feet),
  • 4.7 tons for a 2.25 TEU container (greater than 40 feet).

Other container sizes

The size of the maritime container, its volume, and its capacity can vary: depending on the needs of shippers, multiple dimensions have appeared. For example, the size of a 20-foot container is halved with “babytainers” (“baby-containers”) used in less well-equipped ports in some developing countries.

Conversely, large containers offering a large volume are used to provide transport to ports equipped with modern terminals, up to 53 feet!

The price of a container varies according to its condition, new or used. However, buying or renting is also possible, and you can contact, for example, PelicanContainers for this.

Be careful, however, of the costs associated with the maintenance of the containers: painting, removing the rust that can appear over the years, and repairs or the replacement of corner pieces are to be considered.