Container dimensions
Containers appear in many shapes and sizes. It's important to know which container(s) you need for your specific shipments, a number of pallets or for goods with deviating dimensions.
Standard sizes and dimensions for containers
A container is a standardised, metal cargo box used to transport goods. The same international standard dimensions are used worldwide and therefore they can be transshipped from ocean vessel to train, truck or inland barge.
TEU is the standard size of a container and stands for Twenty feet Equivalent Unit. Usually a container is:
- 20 feet (approximately 6 metres = 1 TEU);
- 40 feet (2 TEU = 1 FEU).
FEU stands for Fourty feet Equivalent Unit. In addition, there are also containers with different sizes. Apart from TEUs and FEUs, there are also various types of containers. Below you will find the most important ones in a row.
The standard: dry container
A standard container is made of steel and is intended for general cargo that is not too long, too wide, too high, too heavy or bulk cargo. A standard container is also called a ‘dry container’.
Special dimensions: Flat Rack
Do you have heavy cargo to transport? Then Flat Racks are the most suitable. Flat Racks have collapsible end frames, lashing rings on the rails at the bottom and corner supports to protect the load with straps or chains.
Refrigerated containers (reefers)
When a container is transporting temperature-sensitive products, such as food, films, plants or pharmaceutical products, it is very important that the products remain at the right temperature during transport. This is done in so-called reefers, which contain cooling units on the side of the container. Cold or warmer air circulates constantly around the cargo. In this way, the quality of the cargo is guaranteed throughout the entire journey.
Open top container
These containers do not have a solid roof but are covered with waterproof tarpaulin that is secured with ropes. Moreover, an open top container has lashing rings on the inside so that the load does not shift. So it is well suited for overheight and/or long loads.
 |
20 FT Standard | 40 FT Standard |
| Capacity | 33 cbm | 67,4 cbm |
| Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH) | 5.888 x 2.340 x 2.387 | 12.031 x 2.346 x 2.383 |
| Door opening in mm (WxH) | 2.280 x 2.275 | 2.338 x 2.272 |
| Weight (max. gross/total weight) | 30.480 kg | 30.480 kg |
| Tare (container) weight | 2.200 kg | 3.740 kg |
| Max. load weight | 28.280 kg | 26.740 kg |
 |
40FT High Cube | 45FT |
| Capacity | 76,2 cbm | 86,0 cbm |
| Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH) | 12.031 x 2.350 x 2.694 | 13.556 x 2.352 x 2.697 |
| Door opening in mm (WxH) | 2.338 x 2.585 | 2.340 x 2.585 |
| Weight (max. gross/total weight) | 30.480 kg | 30.480 kg |
| Tare (container) weight | 3.830 kg | 4.780 kg |
| Max. load weight | 26.650 kg | 25.700 kg |
Special dimensions: Flat Rack
Do you have heavy cargo to transport? Then Flat Racks are the most suitable. Flat Racks have collapsible end frames, lashing rings on the rails at the bottom and corner supports to protect the load with straps or chains.
 |
20FT Flat Rack | 40FT Flat Rack |
| Capacity | 28,4 cbm | 53,2 cbm |
| Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH) | 5.652 x 2.438 x 2.213 | 12.082 x 2.438 x 1.955 |
| Weight (max. gross/total weight) | 34.000 kg | 45.000 kg |
| Tare (container) weight | 3.050 kg | 6.200 kg |
| Max. load weight | 30.950 kg | 38.800 kg |
Refrigerated containers (reefers)
When a container is transporting temperature-sensitive products, such as food, films, plants or pharmaceutical products, it is very important that the products remain at the right temperature during transport. This is done in so-called reefers, which contain cooling units on the side of the container. Cold or warmer air circulates constantly around the cargo. In this way, the quality of the cargo is guaranteed throughout the entire journey.
 |
20FT Reefer | 40FT Reefer HQ |
| Capacity | 28,2 cbm | 64,9 cbm |
| Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH) | 5.446 x 2.268 x 2.260 | 11.558 x 2.284 x 2.522 |
| Door opening in mm (WxH) | 2.290 x 2.264 | 2.286 x 2.542 |
| Weight (max. gross/total weight) | 30.480 kg | 34.000 kg |
| Tare (container) weight | 3.080 kg | 4.720 kg |
| Max. load weight | 27.400 | 29.280 kg |
Open-top containers
These containers do not have a solid roof but are covered with waterproof tarpaulin that is secured with ropes. Moreover, an open top container has lashing rings on the inside so that the load does not shift. Thus well suited for over height and/or long loads.
 |
20FT Open top | 40FT Open Top |
| Capacity | 32,4 cbm | 66,2 cbm |
| Inside dimensions in mm (LxWxH) | 5.893 x 2.346 x 2.348 | 12.022 x 2.346 x 2.348 |
| Door opening in mm (WxH) | 2.336 x 2.244 | 2.336 x 2.244 |
| Roof opening in mm (WxL) | 5.760 x 2.228 | 11.891 x 2.184 |
| Weight (max. gross/total weight) | 30.480 kg | 30.480 kg |
| Tare (container) weight | 2.380 kg | 3.880 |
| Max. load weight | 28.100 kg | 26.600 |
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