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C ONT A IN E R S

Complete Guide to Ocean Shipping

Containers
Eli Dolgansky / February 1, 2016 /
Shipping Guide (http://www.shiplilly.com/blog/category/shipping-guide/) /
4 Comments (http://www.shiplilly.com/blog/complete-guide-to-ocean-shipping-containers/#comments)
If you look at any picture of containers on a shipping vessel, what do you see?

For the most part, you probably only notice a bunch of rectangular boxes. Sure, they boast a
bunch of di៚�erent colors (like yellow, blue, red, white, or green), but for the most part, none of
them stand out from each other. The truth is, though, there are a variety of ocean shipping
containers used to transport goods from one country to another. While most containers might
look the same, their uses can vary greatly.

Learning about your ocean shipping container options will help you choose the most
appropriate one for transporting your goods. This will help you streamline your shipping
strategy and avoid a costly mistake if you use containers unsuited for your products. Ultimately,
understanding ocean shipping containers means your product is more likely to arrive safe and
intact at destination.

Before you check out speci韌�c types of containers, there’s some basic information about all of
them you need to know.

General Ocean Shipping Container Information

A few things to keep in mind as you start looking at containers you can use for your shipment:

Container sizes are listed in feet.

Containers’ internal and door dimensions are generally standard, but could change
depending on your carrier. Because of these slight di៚�erences, you always want to double-
check with your carrier or forwarder on speci韌�c measurements during negotiations.
Maximum payloads per container (not listed here) could vary depending on your carrier, so
make sure you also verify this information before you ship. You’ll also need to make sure
the weight of your containers is acceptable for ground and rail transportation.
Most containers are made of steel, with corrugated sides, and unless stated otherwise,
container bottoms are usually made of treated wood planks or plywood.
Remember in situations where your goods are concentrated or heavier than normal, you
must ensure they won’t break the bottom of the container.

Types of Ocean Shipping Containers

Depending on your cargo, the type of container you will need can vary slightly from shipment to
shipment. What works for you today, might not in the future. Check out these eight di៚�erent
types of ocean shipping containers as you plan for any upcoming shipments:

Standard Container
Description: Standard containers are
completely-enclosed units with rigid walls, roof,
and ៎�oor. At least one end wall has a door for
ease of access.

Available sizes (length x width x height):

– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)
STANDARD OCEAN SHIPPING CONTAINER

Use: Standard containers are the most popular

shipping option, and are used for the majority of the world’s dry cargoes packaged in boxes,
bags, bales, pallets, etc. Both the 20’ and 40’ containers tend to carry the same amount of
weight, so it’s best to ship heavier cargo in a maxed-out 20’ container. The 40’ high cube, of
course, is best used for taller products. Additionally, some of these containers are speci韌�cally
韌�tted for transporting hanging garments.

Hardtop Container
Description: Made speci韌�cally with heavier cargo
in mind, hardtop containers are created with
steel roofs which can be removed for ease of
packing. The removable roofs make it easier for
cranes to help load goods in the container. The
door header on the end wall(s) can be swung
out.

Available sizes (length x width x height):

HARDTOP FREIGHT SHIPPING CONTAINER
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Hardtop containers are best suited for heavy loads. They’re even capable of carrying taller
items, especially the 40’ and 40’ high cube options. In the case of very tall cargo, the roof of a
hardtop container can be left completely open and lashed to the inside wall of the container
(which requires no more than about 5 ⅛” of space).

Flat Rack Container

Description: Flat racks are containers with a
steel frame, no sidewalls, a wood ៎�oor, and 韌�xed
or collapsible end walls. Some ៎�at racks even
have end walls which fold ៎�ush with the base.

Available sizes (length x width x height):

– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)
FLAT RACK SHIPPING CONTAINER
Use: Flat racks have very strong ៎�oors, so they’re generally used to transport heavy, bulky, or
over-sized (i.e. over-width or over-length) cargo. Flat racks can be stacked on top of each other
if properly packed, allowing for the transport of lots of large products.

Platform Container
Description: A platform container is simply a
៎�oor structure without any side or end walls.
They’re made of a steel frame and a wooden
៎�oor.

Available sizes (length x width x height): PLATFORM OCEAN SHIPPING CONTAINER

– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”

Use: Platform containers are built to carry extremely heavy and oversized loads, even ones
concentrated on di៚�erent parts of the container ៎�oor.

Open Top Container

Description: Open top containers are essentially
general/standard containers without a rigid roof.
Instead, they boast a ៎�exible tarpaulin roof,
which can be moved or entirely removed. The
tarpaulin is also supported on either movable or
removable bows. The door header on the end
wall(s) can be swung out.

OPEN TOP SHIPPING CONTAINER

Available sizes (length x width x height):

– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Open top containers work well for transporting overheight cargo, since the tarpaulin can
be moved to allow crane access to the top of the container. However, roof bows can help
stabilize the container, so some overheight items may be better suited for ៎�at racks. Open tops
are also good options for heavy or bulky cargo.

Reefer Container
Description: Short for “refrigerated container,”
reefers are thermal, insulated units with
compressors to either heat or cool the
container’s packaged cargo. The walls of reefers
usually contain polyurethane foam for eퟌ�cient
insulation (known as “sandwich construction”).
Many reefer containers also boast adjustable
ventilation, allowing for better internal air៎�ow.

REEFER (REFRIGERATED) SHIPPING CONTAINER

Available sizes (length x width x height):
– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 9’6” (high cube)

Use: Reefers are speci韌�cally created to transport temperature-sensitive goods, like produce
and other types of perishable goods. Cargo which needs to stay at a constant temperature
above or below freezing should be transported in reefer containers.

Insulated Container
Description: An insulated container is similar to
the reefer container. It has Polyurethane foam
on its walls to maximize insulation, but uses the
vessels cooling or “clip-on”unit for temperature
control.

Available sizes (length x width x height):

– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
– 40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
INSULATED SHIPPING CONTAINER

Uses: This container is recommended for cargo

that needs to stay at constant temperatures at or below freezing.
Ventilated Container
Description: The ventilated container
resembles a standard container, but has
openings in the top and bottom longitudinal
rails. This ensures it has maximum ventilation
while withstanding weather conditions.

Available sizes (length x width x height):

– 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”
VENTILATED SHIPPING CONTAINER

Uses: These types of containers are best for cargo that needs constant ventilation and for
shippers who are able to 韌�t their goods into a 20′ container.

These eight types of ocean shipping containers are all you should need to get started
transporting goods. Carriers around the world will have all these container options available to
you, albeit with slight di៚�erences in dimensions and weight capacity. Check with your carrier to
determine which container is best suited for your cargo needs, and you’ll be all set for shipping
overseas!

Have a question about which container may be right for you? Leave us a comment below
with the type of cargo you want to ship and we can give you some general guidance!

Eli Dolgansky (http://www.shiplilly.com/blog/author/edolgansky/)

(http://www.shiplilly.com/blog/author/edolgansky/) Eli is a member

of the Business
Development
team here at
LILLY +
Associates with
almost 10 years
in the logistics industry. Fluent in Hebrew, Russian & English, Eli handles numerous
international and domestic clients helping them 韌�nd the best shipping solutions worldwide
while providing top level customer service.
4 Comments on “Complete Guide to Ocean Shipping Containers”

Judy Wilson
05.25.2016 AT 4:43 PM (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/#COMMENT-98301)

REPLY  (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/?REPLYTOCOM=98301#RESPOND)
It’s great that there are insulated containers. I can see how there are several products
that need to be shipped that would need to be in an insulated space. It’s interesting that
this type of container uses polyurethane foam on the walls to maximize the e៚�ectiveness
of the insulation. I should keep that in mind in case I ever need this.

  Eli Dolgansky
05.26.2016 AT 9:02 AM (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/#COMMENT-98310)

REPLY  (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/?REPLYTOCOM=98310#RESPOND)
Hi Judy, glad you found the article interesting! Yes, the insulated containers are a great
option for many di៚�erent product types.

Ra'ed
11.29.2016 AT 8:13 PM (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/#COMMENT-105125)

REPLY  (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/?REPLYTOCOM=105125#RESPOND)

Thank you Eli, very informative, I wonder if you happen to know of a report that list the
top 5 companies that owns shipping containers and in the business of leasing them.
Thanks in advance.

  LILLY + Associates
11.30.2016 AT 10:46 AM (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/#COMMENT-105142)
REPLY  (HTTP://WWW.SHIPLILLY.COM/BLOG/COMPLETE-GUIDE-TO-OCEAN-SHIPPING-
CONTAINERS/?REPLYTOCOM=105142#RESPOND)
Hi Ra’ed – glad you enjoyed the article! Unfortunately, we do not have a report with that
information. Thank you!
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