Type and size of
Containers
Contents
I. Introduction
II. The Container
III. Different size and types of Containers
IV. Container prefix and numbers
Introduction
A Shipping container is metal box with
strength suitable to withstand shipment,
storage, and handling.
The containers are a reusable transport and
storage unit for moving products and raw
materials between locations or countries.
Shipping containers plays the most vital part in
delivering goods from one region to different
parts of the world.
Numerous types of shipping containers are
used to transport different kinds of goods.
The primary purpose of using shipping
containers is to ensure the safety of the
products, as more than 90% of the world’s
cargo is carried by ships.
Containers
Size of Containers
The containers vary in different structures,
shapes, dimensions based on the product
they are meant to carry and their purpose.
The first international standards were for a
box measuring 8’ wide, 8’ high and lengths
of 10’, 20’, 30’ and 40’.
The 10’ and 30’ were not very much in
demand.
Twenty Equivalent Unit (TEU)
20’ was most popular which is why the TEU
became the unit of reference.
TEU means ‘Twenty Equivalent Unit’.
Thus a 40’unit is measured as 2 TEU.
ISO Code : 22G0, 42G0 n 45G0
Types of Containers
Here are the most common and generally used shipping
containers:
1. General Purpose Containers
2. Ventilated containers
3. Refrigerated Containers
4. Insulated Containers
5. Open Top Container
6. Flat Rack
7. Platforms
8. Dry Bulk Containers
9. Tank Containers
10. Half Height Containers
9 20’ Standard container
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10
40’ Standard Container
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11
40’High Cube Container
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12 40’Std and HC Containers
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Types of Containers
Here are the most common and generally used shipping
containers:
1. General Purpose Containers
2. Ventilated containers
3. Refrigerated Containers
4. Insulated Containers
5. Open Top Container
6. Flat Rack
7. Platforms
8. Dry Bulk Containers
9. Tank Containers
10. Half Height Containers
1. General Purpose Containers
The general purpose containers are the most
commonly used category of containers.
These are also known as Dry Containers.
They are used to ship dry products, and they are
fully enclosed from all sides, making them
weatherproof.
They come in various sizes ranging from 20ft, 40ft,
and 40HC..
15 20’ Container
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2. Ventilated Containers
In addition to a general purpose container which is a
sealed air and water tight box there is also a ventilated
container which is ideal for cargoes such as
coffee/Cocoa beans, grains etc
The ventilation ducts can be closed when used for
cargo that does not need them.
3. Refrigerated container (Reefers)
Refrigerated container is usually referred to as a
reefer container.
It’s a moving refrigerator.
This one has its own refrigeration unit and can be set
to sub zero temperatures in necessary.
Refrigerated Container
4. Insulated containers
Another type of reefer container has no
integral refrigerating unit as it relies on cold
air being blown through port holes in the
end of the container from a central cold air
ducted system in the vessel.
Some insulated containers are just that,
insulated to reduce temperature variations
but without specific refrigeration.
5. Open Top Containers
For cargo which cannot be loaded horizontally
there is open top containers.
Open top container have a removable tarpaulin
providing soft top or a steel roof giving a hard
top.
Open Top Container
24 Open Top Containers
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6. Flat Racks
For more awkward shapes and sizes there is the
flat racks.
29 Flat Rack Containers
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7. Platforms
These are for awkwardly shaped cargo. 20’n 40’.
These units have no sides or top. Just a base
with lashing points and lifting lugs.
8. Dry bulk containers
There are dry bulk containers which has
man holes in the top for cargo to be poured
in.
These are ideal for cargoes like malt.
9. Tank containers
Then for liquids there are tank containers
which may be used for any liquid cargo like
chemicals and liquid food stuffs.
These containers are mostly made of anti-
corrosive materials, such as stong steel,
which provide them with long life and
protect the materials being transported.
Tank Containers
10. Half Height Containers
They are most commonly used in
transporting bulk cargo that is supposed to
be extremely heavy and dense in nature.
Goods such as coal and stones are the ideal
stuff for half-height containers. The most
area where these containers are utilized is
the Mining industry.
These are very robust and very easy to load
and unload goods.
What’s a container number?
A container number is a unique alpha-numeric
combination of seven numbers and four letters
used for identifying containers internationally.
Understanding the container number
format
Each container marking plays a significant role in
transportation. Markings are important for monitoring and
general safety of a container.
Let’s have a look at each of these container markings
individually to get an idea of what they mean.
Owner prefix code
The first three capital letters of the
container number are known as the Owner
Prefix Code.
It helps identify the container owner.
For example, ‘MAEU’ is the owner prefix
code for Maersk. Each prefix code must be
unique and registered with the BIC to avoid
duplicates.
Equipment category identifier
This is the letter that appears right after the Owner
Prefix Code.
In our example, it’s ‘U’ which stands for freight
containers.
Other categories are:
J – detachable freight containers related
equipment; and
Z – trailers and chassis.
Together with the owner code, the category can be
grouped under one term, known as an alpha prefix.
Serial number
Next, comes the serial or registration
number.
It’s a six-digit number decided by the owner
of the container.
In our example, ‘123456’ is the serial
number of the container.
Check digit
The last number of the container number- that’s placed
out of the rest of the numbers on the right side is called
the check digit.
In our example, we’ve used ‘7’ as the check digit. It’s always
boxed to ensure it stands out from the rest of the number.
Although it seems insignificant, it is of vital importance. It
allows operators, terminals, depots and other parties in
the supply chain to automatically validate the container
number.
If you type the BIC code and the 6-digit serial number into
the BIC Check Digit Calculator, it’ll display the check digit
which validates the container.
ISO Code
The ISO code is usually located below the
container number.
It’s a sequence of four letters or digits.
It provides information about the container type
and dimensions.
The first character of ISO code represents the
length of the unit and the second character
represents the height. The third and fourth
characters determine the type of container it is.
Tunnel container
Container storage units are provided with
doors on both ends of the container,
helping to load and unload materials
quickly.
Stuffing and de stuffing are easy in a tunnel
container due to its accessibility than a
standard container. The cargo can be
loaded and unloaded from both ends of
doors. Small and many number of packages
can be easily stuffed and de stuffed.
Side Open storage container
These storage units have doors that can
change into open sides, providing a much
wider room for loading materials.
The side opening style allows for a forklift to
drive into the container and then load or
unload the cargo from either end.
Cargo storage roll container
A foldable container is one of the
specialized container units made to
transport sets or stacks of materials.
They are made of thick and robust wire
mesh along with rollers that allow their easy
movement.
Car carriers
Car carriers are container storage units made
especially for transporting over long distances.
They come with collapsible sides that help a car fit
snugly inside the containers without the risk of
being damaged or moving from the spot.
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Drums
As the name suggests, circular shipping
containers are made from steel, lightweight
metals, fiber, hard plastic etc. , are most
suitable for bulk transport of liquid materials.
They are smaller but may need extra space due
to their shape.
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66 Special purpose containers
Not ordinary containers; these are
container units custom-made for
specialized purposes. Mainly, they are used
for high-profile services like the shipment of
weapons.
Their construction and material
composition depend on the particular
purpose they need to cater to.
But in most cases, security remains the top
priority.
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Swap bodies
They are a special kind of containers used
mainly in Europe.
Not made according to the ISO standards,
they are not standardized shipping
container units but are extremely useful.
They are provided with a firm bottom and a
convertible top making them suitable for
shipping many products.
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Double Stacks
Double Stack rail transport is a
form of intermodal freight
transport where intermodal
containers are stacked two high on
railroad cars.
Introduced in North America in
1984 double stack has become
increasingly common there, being
used for nearly 70% of US
intermodal shipments.
Using double stack technology, a freight
train of a given length can carry roughly
twice as many containers, sharply reducing
transport costs per container.
Double-stack rail operations are growing in
other parts of the world
Summary
I. Introduction
II. The Container
III. Different size and types of Containers
IV. Container prefix and numbers
Types of Containers
The most common and generally used shipping containers:
1. General Purpose Containers
2. Ventilated containers
3. Refrigerated Containers
4. Insulated Containers
5. Open Top Container
6. Flat Rack
7. Platforms
8. Dry Bulk Containers
9. Tank Containers
10. Half Height Containers
Summary
11. Tunnel container
12. Side Open storage container
13. Cargo storage roll container
14. Car carriers
15. Drums
16. Special purpose containers
17. Swap bodies
Thank you
