8 Types of Shipping Containers

1. Dry van containers (DV) are the most used in the freight industry; they are also termed general purpose containers (GP); they can be 20 feet or 40 feet containers (40 HC are high cube); liquids are usually not transported in such types of containers. 20 feet containers are ideal for cargo with weight while 40 feet containers are ideal for voluminous cargo.

A 20 feet standard container has a maximum payload of around 22 tons (upgraded one has around 28 tons).

40 feet and high cube 40 feet containers have around 28 tons weight capacity.

In terms of volume capacity:

20 feet: around 33 CBM (cubic meter)

40 feet: around 67 CBM

40 feet high cube: around 76 CBM

2. Open-top containers have a convertible top that is to say that the roof can be removed. This allows loading the cargo from the roof by utilizing a crane. These containers are suitable for overheight cargo. (Machinery can be transported in such)

3. Open side containers – where one side of the container can be fully open so to provide easier access for forklifts.

4. Tunnel containers make the process of loading and unloading cargo faster as they have doors on both ends.

5. Half-height containers have as the name indicates half the standard height and is used to ship heavy cargo and freight that does not require much vertical space.

6. Flat Rack containers have open sides, no roof and fixed or collapsible ends. (Boats can be transported on such)

7. Platform containers have no walls or roof.

8. Reefer containers are basically refrigerated containers. (Ice cream can be transported in such).

Companies that lease containers to shipping lines are Textainer, Triton International and other...

Selected Reference:

Engeler, K. (2019). Ship and cargo – Understand and utilize. Norderstedt: Books on Demand.