The information you need to choose the right size container for your international freight is outlined in this post. You’ll understand what sorts of shipping containers are available, what their capacities are, and what size containers you ought to request for your freight after reading this post. You will find the details listed below. For example, you will learn about the standard dimensions of shipping containers (length, breadth, and height) and various dimensions for different types of shipments.

Main Types of Freight Container for International Shipping

There are no better dry freight containers than standards. They are suitable for handling loads that are either placed on pallets or skids or that are loose. In many cases, this is the only kind of container that a company shipping internationally will ever need, but you might consider using one of the following types of container if your cargo is particularly demanding:

Flat Rack Freight Container

Flat rack freight containers are large, horizontal metal frames secured to the decks of cargo ships with removable steel locks. They are used to transport oversized or overstuffed products. The typical height is around ten feet, and the container might stretch up to 60 feet or more.

High Cube Container

The height of a high cube container is approximately 6 inches higher than a standard dry container, making it a little more spacious. A full load in a high cube container may contain up to 76 cubic metres of freight, compared to 67 cubic metres in a standard box. It is nearly identical to a standard dry container. A 20-foot (6.25m) long high cube container has dimensions of 8’0′ (2.44m) by 8’6′ (2.59m) by 9’3′ (2.82m), while a 21-foot (6.50m) long high cube container has dimensions of 8’0′ (2.44m) by 10’0′ (3.05m) by 11’5′ (3.48m). A high cube container’s height is set 6″ higher than a standard ISO shipping container to allow for more volume inside, so if you get an extra 6″ of height, you get 19% more cubic space.

Open Top Freight Container

For situations where you have a shipment that is too big for a standard dry container, but not big enough to warrant a high cube unit, you might be able to use an open top shipping container. Of course, the top of this kind of container is not really open, but is covered with a tarpaulin to keep out the elements. It may also be loaded and unloaded by crane. Although bulk containers or ‘lift vans’ are popular, many customers demand additional features that are not always available.

Tunnel Container

A tunnel container is a dry freight container, used to transfer FCL and LCL cargo, in which the doors are at either end, making loading and unloading much simpler than a standard single-door unit. To expedite the loading and unloading of cargo, tunnel containers are ideal. The specialized locks and additional metal layer on an ISO shipping container make this a feasible option. Because certain products require higher-risk delivery methods, tunnel containers were designed to handle them.

Side Open (or Open Side) Shipping Container

Forklifts can load or unload items packed on pallets using open side units like tunnel containers. Instead of having doors at the ends, one entire side of the container is hinged in four places, providing access along the entire length of the unit. This type of container is perfect for when forklifts will load or unload goods.

Tank Containers

Tank containers are used to transport both non-hazardous and hazardous liquids and gases. They are made of steel or another durable material and are cylindrical in shape. So that they may stack with other container types on a cargo vessel’s or container terminal’s deck, they are identical in size and shape to standard containers. A lot of ocean container traffic is handled now by Oceanus’ fleet of patented clamshell tank containers, one of every six tons of which is handled by Oceanus. The Oceanus tank container has 44 stanchion locations on three curved corrugated corner posts, each with stake pockets. The corrugated steel roof supports a corrugated steel sheet on which a corrugated corner post supports it from above by corrugated corner posts. The corrugated corner posts, which are spaced at regular intervals and connect the corrugated steel sheet, support the corrugated steel sheet from above by corrugated corner posts.

Refrigerated Containers (or Reefers)

These are identical to ordinary dry shipping containers, but have insulation and refrigerator units to keep the contents within a certain temperature range during transport and storage. As intermodal delivery systems became feasible, railways were able to transport food across the globe without losing nutritional value. New technology also made these containers more efficient and less hazardous than ever before. They are able to maintain food fresh for extended periods of time by maintaining a specific temperature (most frequently around -10 degrees Celsius) with cold-produced systems or cryogenic systems. To allow for easy loading and unloading, these containers usually have a large door on one end.

ProConnect Integrated Logistics for your Business

ProConnect is a third party logistics company incorporated in 2015 to capture the Middle Eastern 3PL market with prime focus on achieving optimal efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Be it large volumes of cargo, or just a few kilos; be it air, sea or road freight – businesses across the world have entrusted their freight shipping to us. Our expertise over the years has helped many businesses grow across boundaries.

In addition to shipping, we also undertake last mile delivery, warehousing, customs clearance, import and export trade help that you may have along with offering you value-added services.

If you are looking for a partner to take care of all your logistics hassles, talk to us today.