More than 70 years have passed since the invention of the sea container and the beginning of its active use. During this time, the structure underwent a number of changes, special types of containers were created for different cargoes and transportation conditions. Standardized dimensions to facilitate loading, unloading and storage, special bulker vessels have been created, designed exclusively for the transportation of containers.
A new technology of cargo delivery has appeared – multimodal transportation. The essence of the process is that the cargo is contained inside the container at the point of departure and is extracted only at the point of destination. All rigging work, transfer from one mode of transport to another and storage are done with containers. To simplify and facilitate work, each type or group of goods is contained in specialized containers.
Classification of containers by size
The international standard ISO 6346:1995 was developed for the identification of containers, which regulates the dimensions, purpose and design features. By size, containers are divided into:
10 foot standard container
A 10-foot container has an internal volume of about 15.9 m3 . The net weight is 1.38 t, the carrying capacity is 17 t. It is made on a strong steel frame covered with profiled metal sheets with anti-corrosion treatment. The outer coating can be colored. The floor is 30 mm wooden flooring. The door opening (W * H, mm: 2310 * 2270) allows convenient loading / unloading in a short time. Due to their strength and compactness, such containers are often installed on top of each other.
| Parameters | 10-foot standard | 10-foot high container (High Cube) |
| 10’DC | 10′ LLC | |
| External dimensions | ||
| Length, mm | 2991 | 2991 |
| Width, mm | 2438 | 2438 |
| Height, mm | 2591 | 2896 |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length, mm | 2838 | 2838 |
| Width, mm | 2352 | 2352 |
| Height, mm | 2393 | 2698 |
| Other characteristics | ||
| Maximum load capacity, kg | up to 22,000 | up to 28,000 |
| The number of Euro pallets placed | 5 | 5 |
| Tare mass (weight), kg | 1200 | 1200 |
| Internal volume, m3 | 16.5 | 18.7 |
VARIETIES OF 10-FT CONTAINERS BY SIZE:
- Dry Cube (normal height);
- High Cube (height increased by 30 cm).
Outside dimensions of 10-foot containers by meters:
- length – 2.98;
- width – 2.43;
- height – 2.59.
Internal dimensions, m:
- length – 2.83;
- width – 2.33;
- height – 2.37.
20 foot standard container
A 20-foot container – the most popular logistics container – weighs about 2 tons and has the following overall dimensions (m):
- length – 6.06;
- width – 2.44;
- height – 2.60.
Internal dimensions of a 20-foot container in meters:
- length – 5.90;
- width – 2.35;
- height – 2.39.
The capacity has a carrying capacity of up to 30 tons. The main purpose of the container is the transportation of artificial or small-sized cargo. When determining the dimensions of the cargo, the internal volume of a 20-foot container, which is about 33 m 3 , should be taken into account .
The container is made on a steel frame from profiled metal sheets of 3 mm. There is anti-corrosion treatment. The floor of the 20-foot container is reinforced so that it is possible to transport heavy loads even with their small dimensions. Floor covering – wooden floor 30 mm. The doors are double, with a reliable anti-vandal locking system.
The capacities of this type are:
- refrigerating;
- tank containers (for transporting liquid media);
- with a ventilation system;
- Open Top (with removable roof).
| Parameters | 20-foot Standard (Dry Cube) | 20-foot high container (High Cube) |
| 20′ DC | 20′ LLC | |
| External dimensions | ||
| Length, mm | 6058 | 6058 |
| Width, mm | 2438 | 2438 |
| Height, mm | 2591 | 2896 |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length, mm | 5898 | 5898 |
| Width, mm | 2352 | 2352 |
| Height, mm | 2393 | 2698 |
| Doorway | ||
| Width, mm | 2336 | 2340 |
| Height, mm | 2291 | 2597 |
| Characteristic | ||
| max Gross, kg | 24000-30480 | 30480 |
| Tare weight, kg. | 2145-2370 | 2340 |
| Payload, kg. | 21630-28335 | 28140 |
| Volume, cubic meters | 33-33.2 | 37.5 |
| Stacking, tiers | 86400, 9 | 86400, 9 |
| The number of European pallets (1200×800 mm) that fit, pcs | 11 | 11 |
30 foot standard container
External dimensions of 30-foot containers in meters:
- length – 9.12;
- width – 2.43;
- height – 2.59 (Dry Cube) or 2.8 (High Cube).
Internal dimensions of 30-foot containers, m:
- length – 8.92;
- width – 2.24;
- height – 2.34 (Dry Cube) or 2.54 (High Cube).
The weight of the Dry Cube container is 2.7 tons, the High Cube is 2.79 tons.
The 30-foot containers have standardized dimensions, so they are used for any kind of cargo transportation: by sea, by rail, by road. Also, they are often used to construct office and residential complexes.
Containers are made on the basis of a steel frame sheathed with a profiled sheet. There is an anti-corrosion coating, double doors for quick loading, corner fittings.
Types of containers:
- Dry Cube (standard height);
- High Cube (increased height);
- from particularly strong materials (using cast iron, titanium, etc.);
- with refrigerator;
- with an opening roof.
| Parameters | 30-foot tall container |
| 30’HC | |
| External dimensions | |
| Length, mm | 9125 |
| Width, mm | 2438 |
| Height, mm | 2896 |
| Internal dimensions | |
| Length, mm | 8972 |
| Width, mm | 2352 |
| Height, mm | 2698 |
| Characteristic | |
| max Gross, kg | 24000 |
| Mass of millet, kg. | 2250 |
| Payload, kg. | 21750 |
| Volume, cubic meters | 33.2 |
| Stacking, tiers | 86400.7 |
| Holes for plugs | 2 or 4 |
40 foot standard container
40-foot containers have standardized dimensions that facilitate and reduce the cost of their transportation by various modes of transport. Such containers are used for heavy and voluminous, prefabricated, oversized cargoes, and are used for transportation within the country and abroad.
Dimensions of 40-foot containers in meters:
- length – 12.19;
- width – 2.43;
- height – 2.59.
Internal dimensions of a 40-foot container (m):
- length – 12.02;
- width – 2.35;
- height – 2.39.
The volume of the container is 67.7 m 3 and the weight is 3.9 tons.
When choosing a 40-foot sea container, take into account the weight of the cargo (it should not exceed 26.5 tons) and its dimensions, which should be slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the container.
The container has a strong steel frame lined with corrugated metal sheets. The floor is made of 30 mm plywood. Steel sliding doors are located in the end part and open almost the entire width of the opening for easy and convenient loading.
A 40-foot container is:
- standard (Dry Cube)
- with increased height (High Cube)
- with refrigeration unit;
- with an opening roof.
| Parameters | 40-foot Standard (Dry Van) | 40-foot high container (High Cube) | 40-foot High Cube Pallet Wide |
| 40′ DV | 40′ LLC | 40′ HCPW | |
| External dimensions | |||
| Length, mm | 12192 | 12192 | 12192 |
| Width, mm | 2438 | 2438 | 2500 |
| Height, mm | 2591 | 2896 | 2896 |
| Internal dimensions | |||
| Length, mm | 12032 | 12032 | 12032 |
| Width, mm | 2352 | 2352 | 2432 |
| Height, mm | 2393 | 2698 | 2698 |
| Doorway | |||
| Width, mm | 2336 | 2340 | 2432 |
| Height, mm | 2291 | 2597 | 2597 |
| Characteristic | |||
| max Gross, kg | 28800-30480 | 30480-32500 | 30480-35000 |
| Mass of millet, kg. | 3640-4000 | 3740-4200 | 4200-4400 |
| Payload, kg. | 24800-26840 | 26280-28650 | 26280-30720 |
| Volume, cubic meters | 67.3-67.8 | 75.6-76.5 | 78.8-79.3 |
| Stacking, tiers | 86400, 7 | 86400, 7 | 86400, 5 |
| The number of European pallets (1200×800 mm) that fit, pcs | 25 | 25 | 30 |
45-foot containers
The dimensions of 45-foot sea containers ensured their demand due to their large capacity, external dimensions in m:
- length – 13.72;
- width – 2.5;
- height – 2.75.
The carrying capacity of the container is approximately 30 tons. It transports heavy, prefabricated, oversized cargo, including special equipment, cars, etc., using various types of transport. Dimensional characteristics are standardized, so the containers are suitable for international transportation.
Internal dimensions of 45-foot sea containers (dimensions are in meters):
- length – 13.52;
- width – 2.44;
- height – 2.54.
The internal volume is 85 m3 . The weight of the empty container is 4.1 tons.
Containers are manufactured taking into account the requirements of tightness and corrosion resistance. The frame is a strong metal, the cladding is a profiled sheet of 3 mm. The structure has a roof, steel double doors, in some models a removable roof, that is, made of tarpaulin. The floor is covered with 30 mm wooden flooring.
Types of containers:
- normal height (Dry Cube);
- of increased height (High Cube);
- with a removable roof;
- with a refrigerator.
| Parameters | 45-foot High Cube Pallet Wide 9’1” (2.75m) | 45-foot high container (High Cube Pallet Wide) 9’6” (2.90m) |
| 45’HCPW | 45′ HCPW | |
| External dimensions | ||
| Length, mm | 13716 | 13716 |
| Width, mm | 2500 | 2500 |
| Height, mm | 2750 | 2896 |
| Internal dimensions | ||
| Length, mm | 13513 | 13513 |
| Width, mm | 2444 | 2444 |
| Height, mm | 2549 | 2670 |
| Doorway | ||
| Width, mm | 2416 | 2416 |
| Height, mm | 2439 | 2580 |
| Characteristic | ||
| max Gross, kg | 34000 | 34000 |
| Mass of millet, kg. | 4180 | 4250-5080 |
| Payload, kg. | 29820 | 28920-29750 |
| Volume, cubic meters | 85.1 | 88.7-89.5 |
| Stacking, tiers | 86400, 5 | 86400, 5 |
| The number of European pallets (1200×800 mm) that fit, pcs | 33 | 33 |
45-foot containers
There are two types of housing containers: closed and open. Closed, in turn, are divided into hermetic and non-hermetic. In such containers, goods are transported in boxes, crates, trunks and other containers, the dimensions of which allow them to be loaded inside. Cars, industrial equipment, furniture, building materials can also be transported in closed containers.
Open models are designed for transportation of non-dismountable cargo of large dimensions, for example, construction equipment, furniture, machines.
Labeling of containers
Taking into account the fact that different types of containers for the transportation of goods can differ both in details and more significantly, international labeling of containers has been developed. Inscriptions are applied to the front wall in the form of abbreviations and numbers, which indicate the most important parameters of the container, which determine the destination, belonging and type of cargo. The most common designations:
- ST (Standart), DV (Dry Van) and GP (General Purpose) – universal standard containers according to ISO 6346:1995;
- HC (High Cube) – increased height;
- PW (Pallet Wide) – increased width;
- HT (Hard Top) — with an opening steel roof;
- OT (Open Top) – with a canvas top;
- FR (Flat Rack) and PL (Platform) – platform type;
- UP (Upgraded) – increased strength.
The marking also indicates: three-letter owner code, one-character equipment identification code, serial number (six Arabic digits), control number. Latin letters at the beginning of the labeling indicate the owner’s code registered with the international organization BIC (Bureau International des Containers), for example, CSQ. Codes are registered both in the office of the bureau and in its branches or in the BIC NRO (Russian Maritime Register of Shipping).
Identification code of the equipment category, the fourth letter of the marking, written by one of the four letters of the Latin alphabet:
- U – cargo containers;
- J – Removable equipment for containers;
- Z – trailers and cargo chassis;
- R – refrigerators.
The six digits show the serial number of the container registered with the BIC Bureau, for example, 243648, 002345. The check digit that follows confirms the validity of the owner’s code. Also, in the marking, codes of container belonging to the country and encrypted data on the dimensions of the cargo unit are used.
Types of containers
Standard dry container
The classification of containers by purpose is based on the types of cargo for which the most comfortable and safest transportation conditions should be created. The dry container is designed for goods that do not require special storage and transportation conditions. It is a rigid steel structure without a ventilation system with double-leaf doors on the end. The size range is 20, 40 and 45 feet.
Refrigerated container
Such types of sea containers are equipped with a refrigerating unit, which ensures the specified temperature regime inside. Purpose – transportation of frozen and chilled products, medicines, chemicals with special storage conditions. In addition to the steel body covered with corrugated sheet, the walls, floor and ceiling are covered with a heat-insulating layer. In addition, the structure includes a refrigeration unit that works from the power grid. The on-board network of a vehicle, such as a ship or an autonomous generator, is used as a current source. The range of working temperatures is from -35 to + 30 ° C.
Thermal insulation of standard refrigerated containers is very effective, sometimes it is allowed to transport goods without starting the refrigeration unit. Refrigerators are designated by the code RE, RS, RT, the size range includes 20 and 40-foot containers of normal or increased height.
Containers with an open top
These types of containers are designed for cargo that is difficult or impossible to load the door. The roof is made of tarpaulin, soft plastic or in the form of a rigid plate, which is removed during loading and unloading. The size range is 20 and 40-foot structures, designations are Open Top Container (ODC) and Hard Top Container (HT).
Platform container
The design is a standard container with the side walls and roof removed. Purpose – Transportation of oversized non-dismantled cargo. For oversize in length, options with folding end walls are used. Standard sizes are 20 and 40 feet, and the designation is Flatrack Container (FR, FC, PL and FB).
Tank containers
For a long time, only solid materials and general cargo in packages could be transported in standard ISO containers. Barrels, canisters, and bottles were used for liquid substances, which were placed in a container. Bulk cargoes were transported in large-capacity tanks. This method of transportation did not always fit into multimodal technology. The controversy led to the creation of tank containers.
Structurally, it is a steel frame made according to ISO dimensions, in which a steel container is placed. The type of container determines the nature of the permissible cargo. Various devices are used in the design of the tank, for example, heaters, refrigerators, reinforced thermal insulation. Variants are produced with a volume divided into several sections, double walls made of particularly strong and stainless types of steel.
The dimensions of the frame are inscribed with the typical dimensions of a 20-foot container. Marking – Tank Container (TK or TK). The volume of the tank is in the range of 17.5 – 30 thousand liters, and the carrying capacity reaches 20.5 tons. For the convenience of overloading, the frames are equipped with loops and holes for rigging grips of lifting mechanisms.
Thermally insulated container
Unlike refrigerators, thermally insulated structures are not equipped with refrigeration units. These are energy-independent units of multimodal transportation that do not require connection to the network or a generator. The specified cargo storage conditions are ensured by reliable thermal insulation of the walls of the hermetic body. Markings – HI, HR. The internal volume of a 20-foot container is slightly reduced due to the greater thickness of the walls and is 26.3 m 3 . The carrying capacity does not exceed 16 tons.
Containers for bulk cargo
The structure is supplemented with devices for loading and unloading grain, sand, cement and other materials without containers and packaging. Bulk cargoes are placed in the container by bulking or pumped by special pumps, and unloaded by gravity or pumped out. Markings are BU and BK. External dimensions are identical to the ISO standard. The internal volume of the standard is 20 feet to 33 m3 .
Ventilated container
This type can be considered as a modification of a dry cargo transport unit. The difference is additional equipment for natural or forced ventilation. You can find out such a container by the labeling of Ventilated Container, VC or VT.