Sea Containers - Types, Sizes and Dimensions

Types of containers

Whether you have full container load (FCL), less than container load (LCL), or non-containerized load, there are different sea container types, and container dimensions:


Dry Containers

Dry containers (DC) are the most used type of container in the world: 90% of goods shipped by sea are loaded in dry containers. The 20-foot and 40-foot cargo containers are made of aluminum or steel and are suitable for all types of cargo. Aluminum containers have a slightly larger payload than steel, and steel dry containers have a slightly larger internal cube.

The specific dimensions and capacities of dry containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container, and the container owner. The specifications listed below are representative of the majority of containers available.


20' Dry Container
Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
2300 25,000 kg 33.2 m3 5.9 m
5,071.5 lbs 55,126.9 lbs 1,172 cu ft 19.4 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.35 m 2.39 m 2.34 m 2.28 m
7.7 ft 7.9 ft 7.7 ft 7.5 ft

 

40' Dry Container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
3750 27,600 kg 67.7 m3 12.03 m
8,268.8 lbs 61,200 lbs 2,389 cu ft 39.5 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.35 m 2.39 m 2.34 m 2.28 m
7.7 ft 7.9 ft 7.7 ft 7.5 ft


Flat Rack Container



Flat rack containers are especially suitable for heavy loads and cargo that need loading from the top or sides, such as pipes and machinery. You will find collapsible containers and non-collapsible containers with or without walls. Flat rack containers are manufactured from steel and come in 20' and 40' sizes.

Specific dimensions and capacity of flat rack containers (FR containers) may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container, and the container owner. The specifications below are representative for the majority of flat rack containers.


20' Flat Rack Container

Tare weight

Payload capacity

Cubic capacity

Internal length

2,360 kg

30,140 kg

32.7 m3

5.94 m

5,203.8 lbs

66,458.7 lbs

1,154.3 cu ft

19.5 ft

Internal width

Internal height

2.35 m

2.35 m

7.7 ft

7.7 ft


40' Flat Rack Container

Tare weight

Payload capacity

Cubic capacity

Internal length

5,000 kg

40,000 kg

62.2 m3

12.13 m

11,025 lbs

88,200 lbs

2,195.7 cu ft

39.8 ft

Internal width

Internal height

2.40 m

2.14 m

7.9 ft

7 ft



High Cube Dry Container


High cube dry containers ensure that you gain an extra foot (12 inches, about 30cm) in height compared with dry containers. The high cube dry containers are ideal for light, voluminous or bulky cargo. These extra volume containers are made in 40' and 45' sizes in steel and aluminum.

Specific dimensions and capacity of high cube dry containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container and the container owner. The specifications listed below are, however, representative for the majority of high cube dry containers.


40ft High Cube Dry Container

Tare weight

Payload capacity

Cubic capacity

Internal length

3,940 kg

28,560 kg

76.4 m3

12.03 m

8,687.7 lbs

62,974.8 lbs

2,696.9 cu ft

39.5 ft

Internal width

Internal height

Door opening width

Door opening height

2.35 m

2.70 m

2.34 m

2.58 m

7.7 ft

8.9 ft

7.7 ft

8.5 ft


45ft High Cube Dry Container 

Tare weight

Payload capacity

Cubic capacity

Internal length

4,820 kg

27,860 kg

86 m3

13.56 m

10,628.1 lbs

61,431.3 lbs

3,035.8 cu ft

44.5 ft

Internal width

Internal height

Door opening width

Door opening height

2.35 m

2.70 m

2.34 m

2.58 m

7.7 ft

8.9 ft

7.7 ft

8.5 ft


Open Top Container


Open Top Container - CIMC Yangzhou Base

Open top containers have an open top covered by a tarp instead of a solid roof. This enables oversized cargo such as timber and scrap metal to be loaded from the top. Open top containers normally also have end doors, like closed containers, to give flexibility for loading and unloading.

Specific dimensions and capacity of open top containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container and the container owner. The specifications listed below are, however, representative for the majority of open top containers.


20' Open Top Shipping Container

Tare weight

Payload capacity

Cubic capacity

2,350 kg

28,130 kg

32.5 m3

5,181.8 lbs

62,026.7 lbs

1,147.3 cu ft

Internal

Door opening

Roof opening

Length

Width

Height

Width

Height

Width

Length

5.9 m

2.35 m

2.38 m

2.34 m

2.28 m

2.23 m

5.44 m

19.3 ft

7.7 ft

7.8 ft

7.7 ft

7.4 ft

7.3 ft

17.8 ft

  

40' Open Top Shipping Container

Tare weight

Payload capacity

Cubic capacity

3,850 kg

26,630 kg

66.4 m3

8,489.3 lbs

58,719.2 lbs

2,343.9 cu ft

Internal

Door opening

Roof opening

Length

Width

Height

Width

Height

Width

Length

12.03 m

2.35 m

2.38 m

2.34 m

2.29 m

2.21 m

11.57 m

39.5 ft

7.7 ft

7.8 ft

7.7 ft

7.5 ft

7.3 ft

38 ft


 

Platform Container



A platform container is a container without sides, ends or a roof. It is used for odd-sized cargo which does not fit on or in any other type of container.

Specific dimensions and capacity of platform containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container and the container owner. The specifications listed below are, however, representative for the majority of platform containers.


20' Platform Container
Tare weight Payload capacity Internal length Internal width
2,740 kg 31,260 kg 6.06 m 2.44 m
6,041.7 lbs 68,928.3 lbs 19.9 ft 8 ft

 

40' Platform Container

Tare weight Payload capacity Internal length Internal width
5,700 kg 39,300 kg 12.19 m 2.44 m
12,568.5 lbs 86,656.5 lbs 40 ft 8 ft


Reefer Container


Reefer containers or refrigerated containers are used to transport goods requiring temperature-controlled conditions in transit. Products such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat are typical goods to ship in this kind of shipping container. Reefer containers are fitted with a refrigeration unit which is connected to the electrical power supply on board the ship.

The specific dimensions and capacity of reefer containers (refrigerated containers) may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container and the container owner. The specifications listed below are, however, representative for the majority of reefer containers.


20' Reefer Container
Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
3,080 kg 27,400 kg 28.3 m3 5.44 m
6,791.4 lbs 60,417 lbs 999 cu ft 17.9 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.29 m 2.27 m 2.23 m 2.10 m
7.5 ft 7.5 ft 7.3 ft 6.9 ft

40' Reefer Container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
4,800 kg 27,700 kg 59.3 m3 11.56 m
10,584 lbs 61,078.5 lbs 2,093.3 cu ft 37.9 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.28 m 2.25 m 2.29 m 2.26 m
7.5 ft 7.4 ft 7.5 ft 7.4 ft
 

40' High Cube Reefer Container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
4,480 kg 29,520 kg 67.3 m3 11.58 m
9,880 lbs 65,080 lbs 2,380 cu ft 38.0 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.29 m 2.40 m 2.29 m 2.57 m
7.5 ft 7.9 ft 7.5 ft 8.4 ft


45' Reefer Container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
4,850 kg 29,150 kg 67 m3 11.57 m
10,694.3 lbs 64,275.8 lbs 2,365.1 cu ft 38 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.27 m 2.55 m 2.29 m 2.26 m
7.4 ft 8.4 ft 7.5 ft 7.4 ft

Garments on Hangers Container

Garments on hangers (GOH) containers are used for shipping high-quality garments. These containers give customers the option of using a string or bar system, or a combination of both. The GOH containers offer increased flexibility, greater internal load capacity and savings on transportation and handling costs. GOH containers are available in 20' and 40' sizes.

Specific dimensions and capacity of garments on hangers containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container and the container owner. The specifications listed below are, however, representative for the majority of these containers.


20' GOH Container
Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
2,300 kg 28,180 kg 33.2 m3 5.9 m
5,071.5 lbs 62,136.9 lbs 1,172 cu ft 19.4 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.35 m 2.39 m 2.34 m 2.28 m
7.7 ft 7.9 ft 7.7 ft 7.5 ft

40' GOH Container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length
3,750 kg 28,750 kg 67.7 m3 12.03 m
8,268.8 lbs 63,393.8 lbs 2,389.8 cu ft 39.5 ft
Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2.35 m 2.39 m 2.34 m 2.28 m
7.7 ft 7.9 ft 7.7 ft 7.5 ft



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