TYPES OF SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Containers are one of the most important parts of the shipping industry. Such containers are the devices that store various types of goods that need to be shipped from one part of the world to another. Moving containers protect the shipped cargo, and they ensure it arrives safely to the destination.
Depending on the type of cargo being shipped or the special services they are needed for, types of shipping containers may vary. Container units can vary in dimension, structure, materials, construction. Some of the most commonly used containers are mentioned below.
DRY STORAGE CONTAINER
The most commonly used type of shipping container. They come in sizes of 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft standardized by ISO, and are used predominantly for shipping dry materials. These containers do not allow temperature control, thus they are not appropriate for moving food or refrigerated chemicals.
OPEN TOP CONTAINER
As is stated by its name, this type of shipping container has a convertible top that can be completely removed. This allows for easy loading of bulk cargo and facilitates the shipping of goods of any height.
FLAT RACK CONTAINER
These are like basic storage shipping containers with collapsible sides in which the sides can be folded to create a flat rack to ship a wide variety of goods. For strength and durability, most flat rack containers are made of steel and can be 20 or 40 feet long.
| Shipping container | 6m Standard | 6m High cube | 12m Standard | 12m High cube |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max gross weight (kg) | 30,480 | 30,480 | 32,500 | 32,500 |
| Tare weight (kg) | 2,220 | 2,340 | 3,680 | 3,860 |
| External length (mm) | 6056 | 6056 | 12192 | 12192 |
| Internal length (mm) | 5898 | 5898 | 12032 | 12032 |
| External width (mm) | 2438 | 2438 | 2438 | 2438 |
| Internal width (mm) | 2352 | 2352 | 2352 | 2352 |
| External height (mm) | 2592 | 2896 | 2592 | 2896 |
| Internal height (mm) | 2392 | 2698 | 2392 | 2698 |
| Door opening width (mm) | 2340 | 2340 | 2340 | 2340 |
| Door opening height (mm) | 2280 | 2585 | 2280 | 2585 |
| Cubic capacity (cu/m) | 33.2 | 37.5 | 67.7 | 76.4 |
OPEN SIDE STORAGE CONTAINER
The open side container has a long side that can be fully opened. It helps with big items that can be hard to get through the end of a tunnel container or dry storage container. The side is made of two large doors, but it can still be secured to protect the cargo inside.
REFRIGERATED AND THERMAL CONTAINERS
Thermal and refrigerated containers have temperature controls so that during shipping the cargo can be held at a particular temperature. The temperature is usually higher inside thermal containers than the outside temperature. Refrigerated units keep temperatures below the temperature outside. Both types of shipping containers are well sealed to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
TANKS
Container storage systems that are mostly used to move liquid goods, used by a large proportion of the entire shipping industry. Typically they are made of anti-corrosive materials due to the chemicals they are used to ship.
SPECIAL PURPOSE CONTAINERS
These shipping containers are usually custom made for specific types of cargo. As such, their composition and material composition depends strictly on the type of goods they need to transport. These are mostly used for high-profile services such as arms shipments.
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