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.
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.
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 |
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2.35 m |
2.35 m |
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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 |
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2.40 m |
2.14 m |
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7.9 ft |
7 ft |
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.
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 |
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 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.
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 |
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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 |
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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.
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 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.
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.
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 |