Types of sea containers

If you ship your goods by ocean freight, you have to choose: which container will be most suitable? There are many options. For certain shipments it is obvious what type of container is the best option; for instance, if your shipment requires a constant temperature, you will undoubtedly opt for a so-called reefer container. But other shipments may require a bit more thought, because there are several options.

Below, you will find a list of the most important types of containers and a description of the size and maximum loading capacity of each container. Examples are given of goods for which the type of container is mainly used. The most important types of containers are as follows:

Standard containers (20’, 40’, 40’ HC and 45’ HC);
Hard top containers (20’, 40’ and 40’ HC);
Open top containers (20’ and 40’);
Flat rack containers (20’ and 40’ HC);
Platform (20’ and 40’);
Ventilated container (20’);
Refrigerated container / reefers (20’ and 40’ HC).

Standard sea containers

Standard containers are available in four sizes: 20’, 40’, 40’ high cube and 45’ high cube. This type of container is used for transporting all kinds of standard goods. These are goods which do not require anything special to be transported. These containers are also called general purpose containers or dry van (DV) containers.

20’ standaard container
Container content:	33,2 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	5,90m x 2,35m x 2,39m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,29m
Maximum loading capacity:	28.230 kg

40’ standard container
Container content:	67,7 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	12,03m x 2,35m x 2,39m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,29m
Maximum loading capacity:	26.700 kg

40’ high cube standard container
Container content:	76,3 m3
Binnenmaat (l x b x h):	12,03m x 2,35m x 2,70m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,60m
Maximum loading capacity:	26.460 kg

45’ high cube standard container
Container content:	88,4 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	13,55m x 2,35m x 2,70m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,60m
Maximum loading capacity:	29.050 kg

Hard top containers

The hard top container is specially designed to transport extra heavy or extra high cargo. The roof of the hard top container is detachable, making it easy to load from the top down (by a crane) or through the doorway (by a forklift truck). The roof can also be manually raised to provide seven centimetres of extra loading height. After your cargo is loaded, the top is put back for safe transport of your goods.

20’ hardtop container
Container content:	32,8 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	5,89m x 2,35m x 2,39m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,28m
Dakopening (l x b):	5,59m x 2,21m
Maximum loading capacity:	27.780 kg

40’ hardtop container
Container content:	67,2 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	12,02m x 2,35m x 2,39m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,28m
Roof opening (l x w):	11,72m x 2,21m
Maximum loading capacity:	25.780 kg

40’ high cube hardtop container
Container content:	75,8 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	12,02m x 2,35m x 2,70m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,60m
Roof opening (l x w):	11,72m x 2,21m
Maximum loading capacity:	25.580 kg

Open top containers

Open top containers are especially convenient for cargo with exceptional heights, because these containers do not have a closed roof. Your cargo can be carefully loaded from the top down by using a crane, after which your cargo is secured with tarpaulins.

20’ open top container
Container content:	32,5 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	5,90m x 2,35m x 2,38m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2.28m
Roof opening (l x w):	5,36m x 2,21m
Maximum loading capacity:	28.230 kg

40’ open top container
Container content:	65.5 m3
Binnenmaat (l x b x h):	12,02m x 2,35m x 2,38m
Doorway (w x h):	2,34m x 2,28m
Roof opening (l x w):	11,55m x 2,21m
Maximum loading capacity:	26.670 kg

Flat rack Containers

Flat rack containers are specifically suitable for heavy and oversized shipments. These containers are often used for project logistics. A major advantage of the flat rack container is that freight can be loaded and unloaded both from the sides and from the top. The front bulkheads are often collapsible, while the bottom consists of steel/aluminium and reinforced wood. In flat racks, cargo is also permitted to stick out on the sides or the top up to a certain maximum, at an extra charge.

20’ flatrack container
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	6.04m x 2,23m x 2,23m
Maximum loading capacity:	37.060 kg

40’ high cube flatrack container
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	12,06m x 2,37m x 2,25m
Maximum loading capacity:	39.300 kg

Platform

Like flat rack containers, platforms are especially handy for heavy and oversized shipments. Platforms have an extremely strong bottom construction and come without roof, door or sides. The main difference with a flat rack container is that a platform does not have a front or back.

20’ platform
Interior dimensions (l x w):	6,06m x 2,44m
Maximum loading capacity:	27.960 kg

40’ platform
Interior dimensions (l x w):	12,19m x 2,25m
Maximum loading capacity:	39.300 kg

Ventilated container

This type of container is specially designed for cargo which needs to be ventilated during transport. Ventilation is provided naturally by means of openings in the rails along the entire length of the container. Ventilated containers are suitable, for instance, for products which are sensitive to condensation. The extra ventilation will prevent these products from getting damaged.

20’ ventilated container
Container content:	33 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	5,88m x 2,33m x 2,39m
Doorway (w x h):	2,33m x 2,29m
Maximum loading capacity:	28.080 kg

Refrigerated container / reefer

Reefer containers are mostly used for the transport of food products. These containers are equipped with a cooling unit, which allows for refrigerated sea transport. Reefers make sure that your cargo is shipped at the correct, constant temperature. Temperatures can be controlled between -35 degrees Celsius and +35 degrees Celsius.

20’ refrigerated container / reefer
Container content:	28,3 m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	5,48m x 2,29m x 2,26m
Doorway (w x h):	2,29m x 2,22m
Maximum loading capacity:	27.320 kg

40’ refrigerated container / reefer
Container content:	60m3
Interior dimensions (l x w x h):	11,78m x 2,29m x 2,53m
Doorway (w x h):	2,29m x 2,49m
Maximum loading capacity:	29.890 kg

Please note:

The dimensions given above are representative and may vary according to manufacturer, production date and the owner of the container.
The maximum loading capacity is what the container is capable of. However, weight restrictions may apply depending on the container's destination. These limits must always be observed and it is therefore important to check what maximum loading capacity is permitted for the port of destination/departure and the route to be taken after that.

Would you like to know more about types of containers and which one to choose?

Do you need more information? Don't hesitate to contact us with all your questions about different types of sea containers. The specialists at Intervracht are able to advise you in detail and will be glad to assist you to choose the best possible option for your transport.

Do you already know what you want? Apply here for an ocean freight quotation, without any obligation.

Seafreight quotation