Shipping containers come in many different sizes, shapes and configurations because they are needed for a wide range of purposes. Nearly all of the products shipping around the world are transported inside of a shipping container. If every shipping container were exactly the same, there would be difficulties with shipping certain types of products because the container would not suit the purpose that it was needed for. Just how many different types of containers are there? Each type of container has a specific purpose and the containers that are available meet a wide range of needs of companies as well as after-market uses.

Open Top Containers

These containers have a top that is convertible and able to be removed completely. This type of container works very well for cargo that is extra tall and does not fit within the regular parameters of a typical shipping container. If a certain product is too tall to fit into the doors of a container including certain types of tall machines or heavy and bulky products which must be loaded using a crane or a mechanism known as a rolling bridge, then an open top container may be the best choice. These containers have rings on the upper and lower side rails which are utilized to secure the cargo that is loaded into them. These containers are produced in 20’ and 40’ sizes.

Double Door Containers

These containers have doors on either end of the container. This type of container is also called a tunnel container and is very useful for a faster process when it comes to loading and unloading products. Each set of doors can be locked and assembled with tight seals that resist weather and help to keep the cargo safe from the outside elements.

ISO Reefer Container

The ISO reefer container transports cargo that is perishable and must be kept at a certain temperature including vegetables, meat and fruit. The container must be powered with external means to ensure that the temperature remains consistent. These containers are generally manufactured with Cor-ten steel and are available in both 20’ and 40’ sizes.

Open Side Container

These containers are fairly close in design to regular, general purpose shipping containers. The doors are able to be open fully on the sides which allows for more width and easier access so that loading and unloading is seamless. These containers are usually manufactured in both 20’ and 40’ sizes and offer ample space for larger items that cannot easily be fit through the standard doors on the end of the container.

General Purpose Containers

The general-purpose container is often referred to as the ‘dry container’ and is fully enclosed to protect the contents from the elements and the weather. The floor, side walls and roof are all solid and this is the most commonly used type of container for most normal cargo shipping. Some general-purpose containers contain flexi tanks to ship liquids and others may have liner bags which help with bulk loose cargo shipping.

Insulated Container

Similar to the ISO reefer container, the insulated container is temperature-controlled so that they are able to be exposed to higher temperatures. This type of container has an electrical compressor which heats and/or cools the air inside of the container. The container is manufactured from a vacuum flask which is similar to the interior of a thermos type bottle. These containers are used to ship many types of products over long distances that are temperature sensitive including biological materials, organs, foods, blood, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Flat Rack Container

The flat rack container has sides that can be folded to set up a flat rack. The walls on the end are stable and allow for cargo to be secured to it. They can be used to ship oversized goods including vehicles on tracks and heavy machinery. Other heavy items such as construction materials and large reels are also shipping using these specialized containers. Some of these containers can be loaded up with up to 46 metric tons of materials or products.

Tank Containers

Tankers are constructed from strong steel or some type of material that will not corrode during transportation so that it protects the liquid materials that it is carrying. Tank containers should be up to 80% full so that the liquids that they contain do not surge during shipping, but they must be loaded more than 95% full or there would not be room for the liquid to expand when it is heated.

High Cube Containers

High cube shipping containers have a similar structure to general purpose shipping containers. The main difference is that these containers are taller by one foot. These shipping containers are manufactured in 40’ sizes or may be available in a 45’ size where the capacity for more volume is needed. These high cube containers have a slight recess in the bottom near the front of the container so that the container can be centered on a chassis so that it is able to sit lower to compensate for the height differential.

Swap Body Container

These exchangeable shipping containers are utilized in both rail and road shipping situations, most commonly used in Europe. These containers have a convertible top and this allows them to be used for shipping a variety of goods. There are no upper corner fittings on these containers so they cannot be stacked and are strictly for transportation in land-based uses.

Half-Height Containers

These containers are used for moving heavy and dense bulk cargo. They are commonly used to ship rock and coal and are ideal for mining industry applications. These containers have a low center of gravity so they can take heavier loads than regular sized containers. These containers are robust and can handle the tough environment of industrial use. These containers are simple to load and unload which makes them ideal for the use for which they are intended.

With a wide range of needs, shipping containers are manufactured with many different uses in mind. Each container is designed specifically to handle a certain type of load and the variety of shipping containers available for use is a testament to their versatility and adaptability for the wide range of uses for which they are intended.

Images from Tiger Containers