Types ofcontainers
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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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | Tare Weight | Maxi Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19’4″ | 7’8″ | 7’1″ | 7’8″ | 7’6″ | 1,172 Cft | 4,916 Lbs | 47,900 Lbs |
5.900 m | 2.350 m | 2.393 m | 2.342 m | 2.280 m | 33.2 Cu.m | 2,230 Kgs | 21,770 Kgs |
Standard 40′
Inside length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | Tare Weight | Maxi Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
39’5″ | 7’8″ | 7’1″ | 7’8″ | 7’6″ | 2,390 Cft | 8,160 Lbs | 59,040 Lbs |
12.036 m | 2.350 m | 2.393 m | 2.342 m | 2.280 m | 67.7 Cu.m | 3,700 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | Tare Weight | Maxi Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19’4″ | 7’7″ | 7’1″ | 7’6″ | 7’6″ | 1,150 Cft | 5,060 Lbs | 61,996 Lbs |
5.900 m | 2.311 m | 2.390 m | 2.286 m | 2.280 m | 32.63 Cu.m | 2,300 Kgs | 28,180 Kgs |
Upgraded 40′ - High Cube
Inside length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | 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 m | 2.585 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Door Width | Door Height | Capacity | 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Tare Weight | Maxi Cargo |
---|---|---|---|---|
18’5″ | 7’3″ | 7’4″ | 5,578 Lbs | 47,333 Lbs |
5.620 m | 2.200 m | 2.233 m | 5,530 Kgs | 21,470 Kgs |
Flat Rack 40′
Inside length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Tare 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Tare 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Tare 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Tare 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 length | Inside Width | Inside Height | Tare 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
Length | Tare 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
Length | Tare 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
Length | Tare 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.
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