Skip links
+ (34) 964 961000

Types ofcontainers

The experience of a Leader Security and traceability in all shipments

CONTainers

Types of Containers

Unit loads used in maritime transportation are large receptacles used to transport various materials aboard ships. Its introduction represented a notable revolution in the transportation industry, as we will see below.Likewise, we will explore the different types of containers available and their respective characteristics, which will allow you to make more informed decisions in this regard. Containers vary widely in shape, size and length, although they often meet similar dimensional standards in many cases. Furthermore, it is important to note that these containers can be of different types: some may lack a roof or walls, while others may incorporate wheels or be foldable to facilitate transportation when empty.Through our turnkey project service, GMR Global Trans will take care of all logistical aspects of your industrial project, from the moment of contracting to the successful delivery of cargo.

The origin of containers for maritime transport

The story behind the invention of the shipping container is fascinating, and it all goes back to Malcom McLean, a young American born in North Carolina in 1913. After finishing high school, McLean was unable to pursue higher education due to financial limitations. in your family. However, his parents' income allowed him to purchase a truck, apparently setting him on the path to a career as a trucker. But McLean, gifted with an inquisitive mind, soon tired of long trips carrying barrels of tobacco and decided to innovate. His idea: invent metal boxes that would facilitate the transport of goods on ships. This is how the first version of the container was born, with a length of approximately 10 meters. In 1965, the first ship loaded with 60 of these boxes began its maiden voyage, marking the beginning of a new era. Nowadays, maritime containers are essential in the world of transportation. A single ship can transport around 200 thousand boxes a year, with a loading capacity of up to 300 tons each. These containers have evolved significantly in terms of safety, being now airtight, resistant and waterproof to face any adverse weather conditions.

What is the best maritime container?

The constant evolution of maritime containers has significantly expanded the options available in today's market. These options have considerably simplified loading and unloading operations. However, it is crucial to select the most appropriate option according to the needs of the merchandise and the size among the dimensions available for each model. It is essential to keep in mind that container dimensions are usually expressed in feet. Therefore, most containers of the same brand will carry a number indicating their length in feet as an additional measurement. To convert these measurements to meters, consider that 1 foot is approximately equal to 0.3 meters. Therefore, the commonly used measurements refer to 20-foot and 40-foot containers, which correspond to approximately 6 meters and 12 meters, respectively.

Standard Container

This container model has dimensions of 20′ and 40′, respectively. They have been designed for the transport of dry goods. Among these goods, pellets or bags can be highlighted, among others. Likewise, there is the option of choosing the High Cube 40′, which has a similar length to the Standard 40′, but with a slightly higher box height.

Generally, Standard 40′ boxes are chosen if they are used for merchandise of all types, although it has also been seen that they have more original functionalities. Some people have decided to use them to move to other continents and use them to bring all their belongings in and thus keep most of their furniture in the new home. Other options are those that transform these containers into usable spaces for stands.

Standard 20′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
19’4″ 7’8″ 7’1″7’8″ 7’6″1,172 Cft4,916 Lbs 47,900 Lbs
5.900 m 2.350 m 2.393 m 2.342 m2.280 m33.2 Cu.m2,230 Kgs21,770 Kgs

Standard 40′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
39’5″7’8″ 7’1″7’8″ 7’6″2,390 Cft 8,160 Lbs59,040 Lbs
12.036 m 2.350 m 2.393 m 2.342 m2.280 m67.7 Cu.m3,700 Kgs 26,780 Kgs

Upgraded Container

This type of Upgraded 20′ container is similar in dimensions to those of the Standard 20′. However, it has the peculiarity that goods with a higher weight can be introduced. Therefore, they are indicated for all types of goods that have a higher density.

Regarding the choice of the High Cube, that extra space in height allows it to be used for other types of merchandise. They are useful for the construction of air conditioning, heating or ventilation solutions. In addition, they can also be used to transport large office supplies or furniture and appliances that do not fit in Standard containers.

Upgraded 20′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
19’4″ 7’7″ 7’1″7’6″ 7’6″ 1,150 Cft 5,060 Lbs61,996 Lbs
5.900 m 2.311 m2.390 m 2.286 m 2.280 m 32.63 Cu.m2,300 Kgs 28,180 Kgs

Upgraded 40′ - High Cube

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
39’5″7’8″ 8’1″ 7’8″8’5″ 2,694 Cft 8,750 Lbs 58,450 Lbs
12.036 m 2.350 m 2.338 m 2.342 m2.585 m 76.3 Cu.m 3,970 Kgs 26,510 Kgs

Reefer Container

The Reefer container or refrigerated container consists of a type of container intermodal that is equipped with a refrigerator engine that makes it possible to transport temperature-sensitive goods.

Reefer 20′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
17’8″ 7’5″ 7’5″ 7’5″ 7’3″ 1,000 Cft 7,040 Lbs 45,760 Lbs
5.425 m 2.275 m 2.260 m 2.258 m 2.216 m 28.3 Cu.m 3,200 Kgs 20,800 Kgs

Reefer 40′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
37’8″ 7’5″ 7’2″ 7’5″ 7’1″ 2,040 Cft 10,780 Lbs 56,276 Lbs
11.493 m 2.270 m 2.197 m 2.282 m 2.155 m 57.8 Cu.m 4,900 Kgs 25,580 Kgs

Reefer 40′ - High Cube

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
37’11” 7’6″ 8’2″ 7’6″ 8’0″ 2,344 Cft 9,900 Lbs 57,561 Lbs
11.557 m 2.294 m 2.500 m 2.294 m 2.440 m 66.6 Cu.m 4,500 Kgs 25,980 Kgs

Open Top Container

The main feature of all Open Top models is the way the door opens. In fact, these containers have no door and no roof on top. This greatly facilitates loading the material from the top of the box. To protect it, generally a tarp is used to cover all the merchandise once it has been placed in the container.

The Open Top models are also available in the same dimensions as the Standard and Upgraded models. The most used are the Open Top 20′ and the Open Top 40′.

Open Top 20′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
17’8″ 7’5″ 7’5″ 7’5″ 7’3″ 1,000 Cft 7,040 Lbs 45,760 Lbs
5.425 m 2.275 m 2.260 m 2.258 m 2.216 m 28.3 Cu.m 3,200 Kgs 20,800 Kgs

Open Top 40′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
37’8″ 7’5″ 7’2″ 7’5″ 7’1″ 2,040 Cft 10,780 Lbs 56,276 Lbs
11.493 m 2.270 m 2.197 m 2.282 m 2.155 m 57.8 Cu.m 4,900 Kgs 25,580 Kgs

Reefer 40′ - High Cube

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightDoor Width Door HeightCapacity Tare Weight Maxi Cargo
37’11” 7’6″ 8’2″ 7’6″ 8’0″ 2,344 Cft 9,900 Lbs 57,561 Lbs
11.557 m 2.294 m 2.500 m 2.294 m 2.440 m 66.6 Cu.m 4,500 Kgs 25,980 Kgs

Flat Rack Container

Within the container options, there are models such as Flat Rack 20′, Flat Rack 40′, Flat Rack Collapsible 20′ and Flat Rack Collapsible 40′ Stack Bed . The distinctive feature of these models is that, like the Open Top container, they lack a roof and side walls. They are made up of a base and two smaller side walls.

These containers are specifically designed to transport objects of oversized and varied dimensions, which do not have a defined shape. To secure the merchandise inside the container, plastics, chains or tapes are used to prevent movements during transport.

Some examples of goods that can be transported in these containers include heavy machinery used in agriculture or construction, such as excavators or tractors.< /p>

Flat Rack 20′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightTare Weight Maxi Cargo
18’5″ 7’3″ 7’4″ 5,578 Lbs 47,333 Lbs
5.620 m2.200 m 2.233 m 5,530 Kgs 21,470 Kgs

Flat Rack 40′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightTare Weight Maxi Cargo
39’7″ 6’1″ 6’5″ 12,081 Lbs 85,800 Lbs
12.080 m 2.438 m 2.130 m 5,480 Kgs 39,000 Kgs

Flat Rack Collapsible 20′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightTare Weight Maxi Cargo
18’6″ 7’3″ 7’4″ 6,601 Lbs 61,117 Lbs
5.618 m 2.208 m 2.233 m 2,750 Kgs 27,730 Kgs

Flat Rack Collapsible 40′ Stack Bed

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightTare Weight Maxi Cargo
39’7″ 6’1″ 6’5″ 12,787 Lbs 85,800 Lbs
12.080 m 2.126 m 2.043 m 5,800 Kgs 39,000 Kgs

Platform Container

In this case, we refer again to two of the most common dimensions: 20′ and 40′. These containers are designed with the base only, without walls, unlike the Open Top and Flat Rack models. As in previous cases, tapes or chains are used to secure the merchandise to the base.

This type of container is used to transport materials or goods that cannot fit the standard dimensions of a box, such as large glass. size or a part of a wind blade. In short, these are very specific loads that, for various reasons, cannot be accommodated in any of the containers mentioned above.

Loading these goods is the simplest of all, since you can use forklifts or other equipment without worrying about walls or doors that may get in the way the process.

Platform 20′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightTare Weight Maxi Cargo
19’11” 8’0″ 7’4″ 6,061 Lbs 52,896 Lbs
6.058 m 2.438 m 2.233 m 2,750 Kgs 24,000 Kgs

Platform 40′

Inside lengthInside WidthInside HeightTare Weight Maxi Cargo
40’0″ 8’0″ 7’4″ 6,061 Lbs 52,896 Lbs
12.18 m 2.40 m 1.95 m 5,800 Kgs 39,200 Kgs

Chassis Container

To describe the Chassis model, we can refer to the previous model that consisted only of the base (Platform). In this case, the Chassis adds a crucial element: wheels that greatly facilitate transportation. To achieve this, four double wheels are included at one end to move the platform of different dimensions in feet: 23’5, 33′ Tri-Axie and 40′ Gooseneck.

Once again, it is important to properly secure cargo on these bases through the use of straps and tie-downs to ensure safe transport at all times. On this basis, merchandise of variable and poorly defined size can be placed.

Chassis 23’5

LengthTare Weight Maxi Cargo
Overall unextended 23’6″ 6,600 Lbs 35,500 Lbs
Overall extended 27’2″ 6,600 Lbs 39,500 Lbs
Long. máxima sin extender 7.2 m 2,995 Kgs 16,100 Kgs
Long. máxima extendido 8.3 m 2,995 Kgs 17,920 Kgs

Chassis 33′ Tri-Axie

LengthTare Weight Maxi Cargo
Overall unextended 41’3″ 10,900 Lbs 44,500 Lbs
Longitud máxima 12.6 m 4,950 Kgs 20,185 Kgs

Chassis 40′ Gooseneck

LengthTare Weight Maxi Cargo
Overall unextended 41’3″ 6,500 Lbs 44,500 Lbs
Longitud máxima 12.6 m 2,950 Kgs 20,185 Kgs

In summary, maritime containers represented an important advance in the transport of goods between different countries and continents. Although they initially had military purposes, today they are used for a wide range of products.

We hope that this analysis of each type of container will help you choose the most suitable one for your needs. It is crucial to consider the nature of the merchandise from the beginning, as well as its dimensions. If it does not fit perfectly to the container, it will be necessary to reinforce its transportation with tarps or chains.

Request a Quote

Our dedicated team of professionals will contact you to provide you with personalized and efficient solutions.