Types Of Containers

Types of Ocean Shipping Containers

Being a leading NVOCC, Aflah shipping provide all type of container you may need as per your shipment requirement.  What works for you today, might not in the future. Check out these eight different types of ocean shipping containers as you plan for any upcoming shipments:

Standard Container

Description: Standard containers are completely-enclosed units with rigid walls, roof, and floor. At least one end wall has a door for ease of access.

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Standard containers are the most popular shipping option, and are used for the majority of the world’s dry cargoes packaged in boxes, bags, bales, pallets, etc. Both the 20’ and 40’ containers tend to carry the same amount of weight, so it’s best to ship heavier cargo in a maxed-out 20’ container. The 40’ high cube, of course, is best used for taller products. Additionally, some of these containers are specifically fitted for transporting hanging garments.

Hardtop Container

Description: Made specifically with heavier cargo in mind, hardtop containers are created with steel roofs which can be removed for ease of packing. The removable roofs make it easier for cranes to help load goods in the container. The door header on the end wall(s) can be swung out.

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Hardtop containers are best suited for heavy loads. They’re even capable of carrying taller items, especially the 40’ and 40’ high cube options. In the case of very tall cargo, the roof of a hardtop container can be left completely open and lashed to the inside wall of the container (which requires no more than about 5 ⅛” of space).

Flat Rack Container

Description: Flat racks are containers with a steel frame, no sidewalls, a wood floor, and fixed or collapsible end walls. Some flat racks even have end walls which fold flush with the base.

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Flat racks have very strong floors, so they’re generally used to transport heavy, bulky, or over-sized (i.e. over-width or over-length) cargo. Flat racks can be stacked on top of each other if properly packed, allowing for the transport of lots of large products.

Platform Container

Description: A platform container is simply a floor structure without any side or end walls. They’re made of a steel frame and a wooden floor.

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”

Use: Platform containers are built to carry extremely heavy and oversized loads, even ones concentrated on different parts of the container floor.

Open Top Container

Description: Open top containers are essentially general/standard containers without a rigid roof. Instead, they boast a flexible tarpaulin roof, which can be moved or entirely removed. The tarpaulin is also supported on either movable or removable bows. The door header on the end wall(s) can be swung out.

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Open top containers work well for transporting over height cargo, since the tarpaulin can be moved to allow crane access to the top of the container. However, roof bows can help stabilize the container, so some over height items may be better suited for flat racks. Open tops are also good options for heavy or bulky cargo.

Reefer Container

Description: Short for “refrigerated container,” reefers are thermal, insulated units with compressors to either heat or cool the container’s packaged cargo. The walls of reefers usually contain polyurethane foam for efficient insulation (known as “sandwich construction”). Many reefer containers also boast adjustable ventilation, allowing for better internal airflow.

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Reefers are specifically created to transport temperature-sensitive goods, like produce and other types of perishable goods. Cargo which needs to stay at a constant temperature above or below freezing should be transported in reefer containers.

Insulated Container

Description: An insulated container is similar to the reefer container. It has Polyurethane foam on its walls to maximize insulation, but uses the vessels cooling or “clip-on” unit for temperature control.

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”

Uses: This container is recommended for cargo that needs to stay at constant temperatures at or below freezing.

These seven types of ocean shipping containers are all you should need to get started transporting goods. Aflah Shipping have all these container options available to you, albeit with slight differences in dimensions and weight capacity.