Guide

GENERAL PURPOSE CONTAINERS / DRY VAN CONTAINERS

Designed for the transport of packed goods: cartons, packages, crates, big-bags, bales, pallets, rolls or loose.

There are three main types of containers, named after their length (measured in feet):

• 20ft
• 40ft
• 40ft hc (high cube) higher than standard 40’ft container

 Container 40ft hc has a capacity increased by 10 m3compared to standard 40ft.

Container 40’hc is designed for lighter but more spatial cargoes.

OPEN TOP / HARD TOP CONTAINERS 

Open Top containers are designed mainly for cargoes that are too high to load them into regular containers or for cargoes that need to be loaded from the top.  Those containers are often used for the transport of construction elements, machines or break-bulk cargo. The roof of open top containers is covered with waterproof tarpaulin equipped with customs seal.

The roof in the hard top containers is made of steel sheet (weight circa 450kg)and the door is equipped with a removable upper beam. During the transport of cargoes that are higher than the container, its roof can be removed and placed vertically inside the container.

Both open top and hard top containers are specialized equipment. Usually they need to be ordered with due advance and you need to be aware the freight charges are higher than for regular containers.

FLAT RACK CONTAINERS  (with open top and open sides) 

Designed for oversize and heavy cargoes – payload for 20’ft FR is around 42 tons and payload for 40’ft FR is around 49 tons.  Flat rack containers are built with relatively thick floor -in case of 20’ft FR container floor is around 30 cm thick and in case of 40’ft FR container it is around 60 cm thick. You have to keep in mind that while transporting the oversize cargo in flat rack containers the acceptable  dimensions of the cargo are regulated by law. If the cargo exceeds those dimensions, the route needs to be planned in advance and adequate permit must be obtained.

For overweight cargoes the adequate permit is also required. Flat rack containers are specialized equipment. Usually they need to be ordered with due advance and you need to be aware the freight charges are higher than for regular containers.

REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS (Reefer containers) 

Reefer containers are designed for cargoes that require transport in controlled environment.  The cooling mechanism maintains the temperature in the range of (+25°C) – (-25°C). Refrigerated container is connected to electricity net on ship and in the container terminal. During the road transport it is powered by dedicated genset.  While stuffing the container you must remember to leave an air gap of approx.. 75 mm on top. Reefer containers are specialized equipment. Usually they need to be ordered with due advance and you need to be aware the freight charges are higher than for regular containers.

Notes:

Dimensions given above (mm) are average values for ISO containers used on the market. Containers belonging to specific shipping lines might differ marginally. If you are planning to load the cargo with dimensions and weights close to the parameters given above the exact dimensions of the containers should be confirmed with specific shipping line. Please keep in mind that maximum weight of the cargo inside the container is limited by regulations: of the country of origin / transit / destination.