So, you have finally decided on shipping something overseas. However, when it comes time to pick a container to use, there are so many different options out there! So, which one should you pick? Also, what is the difference between them? No doubt, this is something that definitely confuses a lot of first-time shippers as well. Therefore, we have broken down some shipping container dimensions and types so that you know exactly which one to use.
20ft shipping containers
The 20ft shipping containers are one of the most popular and often used containers. As suggested by its name, it is the smallest of the standard shipping containers. It is often used to move raw materials like rock and iron ore, as well as heavy machinery. Due to it being comparatively lighter and smaller, the 20ft shipping container does not often need sophisticated lifting equipment when it comes to transporting cargo into ports. Aside from that, it is also popular when it comes to intermodal transport (meaning transport using different kinds of freight) as it is the easiest container to move around.
The standard ISO container generally has a length of 6.06m, a width of 2.44m, and a height of 2.59m. It can carry a maximum gross weight of 30,480 kg or 67,200 pounds, with a payload capacity of 26,400 kg.
40ft shipping containers
Double in size, the 40ft shipping container can carry twice the amount of cargo compared to the 20ft containers. Surprisingly, while the 20ft containers are often used to carry heavier loads, the 40ft ones often carry lighter cargo. Examples include electronics, articles of clothing, cotton, furniture, and sometimes even vehicles themselves! This strange phenomenon is mainly a result of shippers being charged a fine if their final containers are overweight. Therefore, larger containers are often used to carry larger quantities of goods, rather than heavier ones. These containers only charge around 15-20% more than their smaller counterparts, making them very cost-effective when it comes to transporting shipments.
A standard ISO 40ft shipping container has a length of 12.10m, a width of 2.44m, a standard height of 2.59m, and a high cub height of 2.89m. Their maximum weight is 30,480 kg or 67,200 pounds.
40ft HC containers
The 40ft high cube container is a subset of the 40ft shipping containers. The only difference is that they are mainly used for moving over-height cargo (so up to 2.7m or 8.1 ft tall). Other than that, much like the standard 40ft shipping containers, they are used to carry lighter objects such as clothing and furniture. Both 20ft and 40ft shipping containers are considered dry containers, meaning that they carry shipments that are dry and not sensitive to temperature. You may also hear them being referred to as Conex boxes – a reference to the first container that kickstarted shipping as we know it today. It is extremely important that dry containers are well maintained, as they may let the elements in which could damage the cargo.
Container conditions to consider
If you have chosen to buy a container to ship your goods, you need to inspect it and make sure that it is up for the job. Here are a few key details to keep in mind:
- Door seals: Doors must work consistently and remain sealed. This is to protect the cargo inside from the elements – especially if it rains or snows. Additionally, if your container has holes, bugs, pests, and rodents that might sneak in, which would be a pretty nasty surprise! So always be sure to keep your door seals tight!
- Container body: Containers need to be seated flat, so make sure to inspect and check that they are not lopsided.
- Flooring: Ensure that the walls and floors are not damaged, uneven, or peeling in any way. If they are, this could cause the container to wobble during transportation. This may result in damaged or broken cargo, which nobody wants.
- Locking bars and brackets: If you are worried about your cargo’s security, then you need to maintain and check all locking bars and brackets. This way, if they work well, they will help to deter thieves or anyone who should not have access to the container from touching your cargo.
- Exterior walls: Always take note of any major bumps or dents, as this signals that the container may be uneven on the inside.
Special shipping containers
Aside from the standard dry container, sometimes there will be situations where people need special shipping containers. This may be because your cargo is temperature sensitive, or its shape makes it hard to load and unload. In that case, the following are some of the most popular types of special containers.
Reefers: Otherwise known as refrigerated containers, these are pretty self-explanatory. In effect, they basically function as portable fridges. These containers contain a t-shaped decking that helps to send chilled air inside. As a result of the airflow, a reefer can maintain its internal temperature between -30 and 30 °C. These kinds of containers are extremely valuable, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With nations going into lockdown, reefers allowed them to ship food, vaccines, medicines, and more to places that needed them. Other temperature-sensitive goods that reefers can carry include ice cream, dairy products, meat, and fruit. As such, it’s no surprise that they are so high in demand. That being said, because the containers are powered by fuel or electrical generators, they can be very expensive to run and maintain.
Pallet wide: Much like its name implies these containers are designed to fit wooden pallets in them. These pallets are Euro pallets, which are used throughout Europe. They are standardized and come in either 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft high cube sizes. With pallets just fitting the container, nothing is slipping around, meaning goods are much less likely to break or be damaged during transportation. The main reason why people choose to use this type of container is that the pallets make it easier to load, transport, and unload goods with forklifts. You can transport shipments such as raw materials, industry apparatus, and devices, as well as large types of equipment.
Double door: This one is pretty self-explanatory, but this container has doors on both ends. This means it is very easy to load and unload certain types of goods, such as vehicles and automobiles. This is because vehicles no longer need to make a U-turn or back out of the container. Instead, they can just drive right through and then leave through the other end.
These containers are also referred to as ‘tunnel containers’ due to their unique size and shape. This type of container is also fantastic if you need to load two different types of goods in the same box. For instance, you can convert the container into two different compartments. Thus making the unloading and sorting of the goods flexible and hassle-free. Double-door containers are also used at construction sites, as they create tunnels where workers can move around safely.
To learn more about shipping check out this article.