Have you ever thought about how the process of shipping started and when? Did modern life make it easier to load the merchandise? It seems like it’s a complicated process! First, packing onto trucks, then moving them into trains, planes, trains, etc.
Malcolm McLean started this story behind shipping 60 years ago. Then he improved the process by placing merchandise into containers. So that entire containers can be lifted and loaded from the chassis. This step is followed by standardizing shipping container dimensions. To ease the shipping trucks, trains, ships, and ports around the world. And later, it made a much global impact on world trade.
Shipping Container Dimensions
The impact of the shipping container dimension allowed the factories to load the goods at their factories. Then, ship them to stores and warehouses without unloading and transferring their cargo along the way. As a result, people could have their goods in the best shape and deliverability. No matter how far the original factory is. Honourocean uses containers to ensure the safe arrival of your goods from country A to country B.
Is it true that ships move around 90% of the world’s cargo? Well, it seems no surprise when having such a vast amount of goods to use the ships. There are different types of shipping containers in circulation, each used for another purpose. Read below to know:
The Most Common Shipping Container Types
Clients can arrange container shipment via Honourocean Shipping Company.
Let’s read below to find out what the 12 most common types of shipping containers are!
Dry Containers
A general-purpose container is also known as a “dry container”, which are the Most Common Shipping Container Types. They are used for shipping dry materials and come in 20ft, 40 ft, and 10ft. These shipping containers are enclosed, protected from the elements. And weatherproof, with a rigid roof, sidewalls, and floor.
20 feet container: the inner volume is 5.69m x 2.13m x 2.18m, the gross weight is 17.5 tons, the volume is 24-26 cubic meters.
40ft container: the inner volume is 11.8m long, 2.13m wide and 2.18m high, the gross weight is about 22 tons and the volume is 54 cubic meters.
40ft high container: 11.8m long, 2.13m wide and 2.72m high, with a gross weight of 22 tonnes and a volume of 68 cubic metres.
Flat Rack Shipping Containers
With collapsible sides, these are like simple storage shipping containers. The sides can be folded, so about making a flat rack for shipping a wide variety of goods. So they are ideal for shipping goods that are oversized, such as heavy machinery, vehicles on tracks, big reels, and construction materials. Some 40′ flat rack shipping containers are suitable to carry as much as 45 metric tons of cargo!
Open Top Shipping Containers
It has a convertible top that can be removed entirely to make an open top. So that materials of any height can be shipped. Such as tall machinery or other heavy/bulky finished products. Whose handling and loading can only be performed with a crane or rolling bridge. Open top containers have lashing rings installed to the upper and lower side rails. And corner posts to secure cargo are available in 20′ and 40′.
Tunnel Shipping Container
Also Called double door containers- storage units have doors on both ends of the container. They are helpful in the quick loading and unloading of materials. In addition, they make an even wider room for goods such as steel and iron. Both sets of doors have the same locking assembling and weather-tight seals to keep cargo protected from the elements.
Side Open Shipping Container
These storage units have doors that can change into entirely open sides. It provides a much wider room for the loading of materials. Open-side shipping containers generally come in 20′ and 40′. They provide adequate space for extra-large items that can’t fit through the regular doors.
Refrigerated ISO Shipping Containers
Also called reefer containers- they are used for the shipment of temperature-sensitive, perishable cargo. Such as meats, fruits, and vegetables. Refrigerated shipping containers are equipped with a system. It helps to maintain an internal temperature of between -25º and + 25º. Contrary to popular belief, these refrigerated containers do not regulate temperatures. They can only hold them. This container type relies on external power to keep the temperature controlled. Reefers generally come in 20′ and 40 and are made from weathering steel known as Cor-ten steel.
Insulated Shipping Containers
Insulated Shipping Containers have regulated temperature control. It allows them to withstand a higher temperature ( like Refrigerated ISO Shipping Containers ). In addition, they have electrical compliance (mechanical compressor) to cool or heat the air within the container. Insulated containers are constructed of a vacuum flask, like a “thermos” bottle. As such, they are most suitable for long-distance transportation of products. Such as foods, pharmaceuticals, organs, blood, biological materials, and chemicals.
Cargo Storage Roll Shipping Containers
A foldable container is one of the specialized container units that transport sets or stacks of materials. They are made of thick and robust wire mesh along with rollers that allow their easy movement. Availability in a range of coloured wire meshes makes these shipping container units a little more cheerful.
Half Height Shipping Containers
Another kind of shipping container includes half-height containers made mostly of steel. These containers are half the height of full-sized containers. Half-height containers have a low centre of gravity. So they can better handle heavier loads than taller containers, making them versatile. And they’re robust enough to withstand the harsh industrial environment. They are used primarily for coal, stones, etc., which need easy loading and unloading.
Car Carrier Shipping Containers
Car carriers are container storage units made especially for the shipment of cars over long distances. They come with collapsible sides. That helps a car fit inside the containers without the risk of being damaged or moving from the spot.
Double Door Containers
Double doors provide easy access to the store, retrieve, and sort goods or materials. With the addition of a partition, double-door shipping containers can be modified to create separate spaces for storage. Or container offices or to set up a pair of retail kiosks.
Tank Containers
Tank containers, or tankers, are made of solid steel or other anti-corrosive materials for the transportation and long-life protection of liquid materials. A tank container must be at least 80% complete to prevent the dangerous surging of liquids in transit. But it must also not be over 95% full, or there would not be enough room for thermal expansion.
We discussed before in “Door to Door Delivery Services from China! The best shipping method according to goods type, weight, freight charges, and transit time. Also, every kind of goods requires a specific type/size of the container.
But What are the sizes of shipping containers?
Shipping container dimensions are held to particular standards. (ISO) requires that all containers have a few millimetres of one another. So they can be stacked on container ships without issue. Containers are quantified twenty-equalling units (TEU’s) and are most built-in 20′ and 40′ lengths. Standard containers have an outside height of 8’6″ tall. And “High Cube” containers have an external height of 9’6″.
Standard External Container Dimensions
Standard Internal Container Dimensions
CONCLUSION
The dimensions above are to give a primary sign of the size of various shipping containers. And storage containers, the dimensions of a container can fluctuate between each unit. Honourocean Shipping Company will always be happy to provide more information and help.
