Shipping containers help protect goods during transportation. What exactly is a container, why does it matter, and which types are used most often? This article covers the essentials.
1. What is a shipping container?
A shipping container is a large rectangular unit designed to hold cargo. Its steel construction provides impact resistance and helps protect the goods inside. Common lengths used in freight transport include 20 feet, 40 feet, and 45 feet.
2. Why containers matter
Containers play several important roles in logistics:
- They provide a practical way to describe shipment volume. For example, telling a freight provider that you need to move one container of wood pellets helps the team understand the scale of the shipment and prepare a more accurate quote.
- They help protect cargo from external conditions, including impacts and bad weather.
- They make loading and unloading more straightforward.
- They help reduce the risk of theft and cargo loss.
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3. Common container types
Different commodities require different equipment, and freight costs can vary by container type. The following are among the most widely used options:
3.1 General-purpose containers
General-purpose containers are the most common type. They carry ordinary dry cargo, including consumer goods such as clothing, plastics, and electronics, as well as palletized or crated shipments.
Common sizes and the approximate figures listed in this article are:
- 20-foot container: 6 m × 2.4 m × 2.6 m, approximately 26 metric tons of payload, and 33 cubic meters of capacity.
- 40-foot container: 12 m × 2.4 m × 2.6 m, approximately 26 metric tons of payload, and 67 cubic meters of capacity.
- 40-foot high-cube container (40HC): 12 m × 2.4 m × 2.9 m, 26 metric tons of payload, and approximately 76 cubic meters of capacity.
- 45-foot container: 13.56 m × 2.43 m × 2.89 m, 26 metric tons of payload, and approximately 86 cubic meters of capacity.
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3.2 Refrigerated containers (reefers)
Reefers are commonly used for temperature-sensitive goods such as fruit, fish, meat, and vaccines. They function as large refrigerated units, with the source article describing an adjustable temperature range of −30°C to 30°C.
3.3 Open-top containers
Open-top containers are designed for bulky cargo that exceeds the height of a standard container. Typical cargo includes machinery, large natural stone pieces, and construction materials.
3.4 Tank containers
Tank containers carry liquid cargo, with the article listing products such as gas, oil, and gasoline. Their specialized tanks help contain and preserve the cargo, while the design also supports pumping and discharge.
Read more: Seven principles for planning container stowage on a vessel
3.5 Flat-rack containers
Flat racks carry oversized, unusually long, or heavy cargo that will not fit in a standard container. A heavy-duty steel platform supports the load, which is secured to the flat rack for transportation.
Flat racks are available in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes. The source article describes a 20-foot unit as 6 m × 2.5 m × 2.9 m, with a 45 cm thick steel platform and a payload below 30 metric tons.
It describes a 40-foot flat rack as 12 m × 2.5 m × 2.9 m, with a payload below 35 metric tons.
Choosing the right container starts with understanding your cargo. These common equipment types provide a useful starting point for matching your goods with a suitable transport solution.