What is the right container for your cargo? (I) Standard containers
If you ever had to look for a shipping container, you probably saw that there are plenty of sizes. To find the right one, you must take into account the type and size of your cargo. Today we overview the most common standard containers, which will help you to decide and pick the right container for your cargo needs.
20 ft containers
20 ft containers, also known as intermodal containers, are large, standardized cargo containers. They can be transported with different modes of transport, for example, ships, trains or trucks. Intermodal containers can be found in many different dimensions. They are very popular, you can find a variety of standardized sizes.
20-foot containers are suitable for virtually any general cargo, and may be equipped with liner bags suitable for bulk cargo. Due to its universal applicability, these containers are the most popular in the market.
The maximum cargo size allowed for 20-foot containers, due to interior dimensions, is as follows:
Length: 19 ft., 3 inches
Width: 7 ft., 8 inches
Height: 7 ft., 9 7/8 inches
Door opening: 7 ft., 8 inches wide, 7 ft., 5 inches tall
Cubic Capacity: 1,165 cu. ft.
40 ft containers
40 ft containers offer the same functions as the 20 ft. A benefit to choosing this size is, as you could have guessed, being able to ship more product at a given time.
The maximum cargo size you can fit in these shipping containers is:
Length: 39ft., 5 inches
Width: 7 ft., 8 inches
Height: 7 ft., 9 7/8 inches
Door opening: 7 ft., 8 inches wide, 7 ft., 5 inches tall
Cubic Capacity: 2,350 cu. ft.
High cube containers (40 ft)
High cube containers and their dimensions are similar to the standard ones, but they are taller. For comparison, the total height of the intermodal container is 8 feet, 6 inches, and cubic – 9 feet, 6 inches. These containers have more space than the 40 ft ones, so they can carry more of items or the items which need more height: for example, furniture.
40-foot high cube containers can hold a maximum cargo size of:
Length: 39ft., 5 inches
Width: 7 ft., 8 inches
Height: 8 ft., 9 15/16 inches
Door opening: 7 ft., 8 inches wide, 8 ft., 5 1/2 inches tall
Cubic Capacity: 2694 cu. ft.
Open Top Containers
Open top containers are also very similar to the standard ones, but they have an advantage, that it can be loaded over the top (i.e. cargo placed in the container from a crane). This type of containers is suitable for wood, scrap metal and other large dimensions cargo.
20-foot open top containers can accommodate cargo as large as:
Length: 19 ft., 4 inches
Width: 7 ft., 8 inches
Height: 7 ft., 8 inches
40-foot open top containers allow for cargo with a maximum size of:
Length: 39ft., 5 inches
Width: 7 ft., 8 inches
Height: 7 ft., 8 inches
In this article, we have shared the standard dimensions of the containers and the maximum dimensions for the cargos. These containers can be found in our website. If you need additional advice, contact us. In the next article we will look into non-standard and unusual containers.