Shipping container types
The unitisation of cargo covers three main modes of transport: rail, sea, and road. Of these three, statistics show that almost 80% of all goods are carried by sea1.
A variety of goods are transported worldwide every day, with groupage (consignments of mixed goods) making up 24% of inter-modal tonnage (closely followed by mineral ores and food)2.
To cope with the demands of transporting different kinds of freight, there must be a similarly diverse range of container types. Shipping container types are manufactured according to these specific needs. Today, Freight Broker will cover the 15 main types!
A variety of goods are transported worldwide every day, with groupage (consignments of mixed goods) making up 24% of inter-modal tonnage (closely followed by mineral ores and food)2.
To cope with the demands of transporting different kinds of freight, there must be a similarly diverse range of container types. Shipping container types are manufactured according to these specific needs. Today, Freight Broker will cover the 15 main types!
1. Dry container (general-purpose container)
A dry container (also known as a general-purpose container) is a basic shipping unit designed for transporting goods that don’t require temperature regulation.
Dry containers are fully enclosed and can protect cargo from external elements like weather and theft, thanks to their sturdy side walls, roofs, and doors.
- 20-foot Container or 1 TEU: The 20-foot container, often referred to as a Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU), is one of the most standardised types of ‘dry van’ containers. Commonly used for transporting ocean freight, it’s most suitable for heavy cargo like cement, machinery and minerals.
- 40-foot Container or 1 FFE: The 40-foot container has become a standard in global trade and is more appropriate for storing bulky cargo (e.g., cotton, furniture) than heavy cargo.
2. Flat rack container
A flat rack container is designed for transporting oversized or irregularly shaped cargo that can’t fit into standard containers. It features a flat bed with fixed or collapsible end walls but lacks side walls and a roof.
Cargo stored in flat rack containers can be easily loaded and unloaded from the sides or top. Their design makes them suitable for carrying goods such as heavy machinery, construction equipment, vehicles, and large industrial components.
3. Open top container
An open-top container has no fixed roof and, instead, features a removable tarpaulin or hard top cover. Its design allows for the vertical loading and unloading of cargo that cannot be easily accommodated through standard container doors.
Open-top containers are particularly suitable for transporting goods that are oversized, bulky, or irregularly shaped. Typical items include heavy machinery, industrial equipment, large pipes, and construction materials.
4. ISO tank container
An ISO tank container is used to safely transport bulk liquids, gases, and powders, both hazardous and non-hazardous.
Constructed from stainless steel and housed within a standardised frame, these containers adhere to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specifications.
ISO tank containers are used to carry a range of products, such as chemicals, petrochemicals, food-grade liquids, and gases.
Typical cargo includes fuels like petrol and diesel, alcoholic beverages, liquid food products like cooking oils, and industrial chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and sulphuric acid.
5. ISO Reefer container
Typically made using ‘Cor-ten’ steel, an ISO reefer container is one of the shipping container types used to transport temperature-sensitive cargo. Its controlled internal environment can sustain temperatures ranging from -30°C to +30°C.
ISO reefer containers are preferred for transporting fresh produce, dairy products, meat, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and other goods that require specific temperature conditions to maintain their quality.
6. Double-door container (tunnel container)
A double-door container is a shipping unit equipped with doors at both ends. It facilitates straightforward loading and unloading processes, particularly for machinery and construction materials (e.g., iron and steel).
Each door has weatherproof seals and a sturdy locking assembly. Due to their configuration, they are also known as ‘tunnel containers’.
7. Half-height container
Half-height containers are designed at approximately half the height of a standard container, typically measuring around 1.45 metres tall.
Their reduced height makes them particularly suitable for transporting heavy, dense, or bulk materials that don’t require the full height of a standard container.
These containers are often used to carry goods such as coal, ore, gravel, construction debris, and other heavy metal products.
Half-height containers are one of the shipping container types more equipped for carrying dense materials (thanks to their lower centre of gravity).
8. Open side container
As their name suggests, open-side containers have doors along one of their longer sides in addition to the standard end doors. Their configuration is very similar to that of dry containers, with their full-side access being the only major difference.
These containers are particularly useful for transporting goods such as timber, machinery, and large panels that require side access due to their size or shape.
9. Insulated containers (thermal containers)
Similar to ISO reefer containers, insulated (or ‘thermal’) containers are manufactured to maintain a consistent internal temperature without relying on active refrigeration systems.
These containers are constructed with insulating materials that reduce heat exchange between the interior and exterior environments, almost like a vacuum.
This construction allows them to protect temperature-sensitive cargo from external temperature fluctuations. Insulated containers are most appropriate for the long-term transportation of perishable foods, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
10. Swap body containers
Swap body containers are used most in European logistics and are designed for efficient transfer between road and rail transport.
Unlike standard ISO containers, swap bodies are not stackable and typically feature folding legs that allow them to stand independently when detached from their carrier vehicle.
These containers are suitable for transporting palletised items, bulk materials, and general cargo. They’re particularly useful for time-sensitive deliveries, as their convertible top helps speed up the load and unloading process.
11. High cube container
Another shipping container type that resembles the general-purpose container is high cube units. These containers are notably taller than dry containers and provide at least a foot of additional vertical space for cargo.
Their increased height makes them suitable for transporting voluminous or oversized goods that require more space than standard containers can provide.
They are commonly used for shipping items such as large machinery, furniture, and bulky equipment.
12. Car carriers
Car carriers are manufactured for transporting vehicles. They can hold buses, cars, and trucks and have collapsible sides for easy loading and unloading.
13. Cargo storage roll containers
Cargo storage roll containers are mobile storage units used for transporting goods across settings such as warehouses, factories, retail stores, and logistics operations.
Constructed with a cage-like metal structure and mounted on wheels, these containers make handling items easy.
14. Drums
Drums are cylindrical shipping containers used to transport bulk cargo, particularly liquids and powders. They are typically made from materials such as steel, dense paperboard (known as fibre drums), or plastic.
15. Tanks
Tanks, or ‘tanktainers’, are used to transport hazardous and non-hazardous liquids such as chemicals, petroleum products, food-grade liquids like wine and edible oils, as well as gases and powdered substances.
Tanks consist of a stainless steel cylindrical vessel housed within a protective steel frame, making them one of the shipping container types compatible with road, rail, and sea transport respectively.
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