What Should you Know About Types and Sizes of Shipping Containers in 2024?

The concept of a standardized steel box for effortless cargo movement originated with Malcolm McLean, an American trucking company owner. After acquiring a steamship company, McLean sought a simpler method to transfer goods between trucks and ships. His ingenious idea? Make the container itself mobile, not the individual cargo pieces.

This revolutionary approach led to the birth of the modern shipping container. In 1956, McLean not only invented and patented the design but also set about bringing his vision to the world. The impact was immediate. By utilizing these standardized containers, McLean slashed cargo loading and unloading costs by over 90% – from a staggering $5.86 per ton to a mere $0.16 (based on 1956 figures).

McLean’s invention was built on the principle of intermodalism, a concept that remains the cornerstone of efficient global shipping today. Intermodalism allows the same container, loaded at the origin, to seamlessly travel by road, rail, and sea to its final destination without ever needing to unload the goods. This streamlined process revolutionized global trade, making it faster, cheaper, and more efficient than ever before.

While containers share a core function of transporting goods, different containers are used for different cargo. This section dives deep into the various types of shipping containers. Let’s explore the most common options.

Dry Cargo or Standard Containers

• General Purpose
  These offer secure, weatherproof transport for various non-perishable goods. Standardized sizes, typically 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft, ensure smooth global logistics.

• High Cube
  For maximizing cargo volume without increasing footprint, high cube containers offer additional height compared to standard dry containers.

• Open Top
  Designed for easy loading and unloading of oversized or project cargo that might not fit in standard shipping containers, open-top containers often feature a removable roof section.

Temperature-Controlled Containers

• Refrigerated Containers (Reefers)
  Essential for transporting perishable goods like food and pharmaceuticals, reefers maintain consistent temperatures through powerful refrigeration units. Available in various sizes, they allow for precise climate control during long journeys.

• Insulated Containers
  Offering thermal protection without active refrigeration, insulated containers are suitable for goods requiring a stable temperature but not necessarily constant cooling.

Specialized Containers

• Flat Rack Containers
  Ideal for bulky cargo that exceeds standard container size, flat rack containers have collapsible sides, allowing for easier loading and side-by-side packing.

• Open Side Containers
  Similar to open top containers, these containers feature removable sidewalls for efficient side loading and unloading of oversized objects.

• Tank Container
  Designed for the transportation of liquids, gases, and even some bulk solids, tank containers are essentially mobile pressurized vessels, ensuring secure and efficient movement of these materials.

Intermodal Containers or Exchangeable Containers

• Swap Bodie
  Intended for multimodal transportation, swap bodies are demountable cargo units that can be quickly transferred between trucks, trains, or ships.

Other Containers

Beyond standard containers, there’s a world of specialized options for specific cargo needs:

• Cargo Storage Roll Containers
  Keep goods organized and protected on the move. Perfect for items that need easy access and travel-ready security.

• Car Carriers
  Exactly as the name suggests, car carriers are created for vehicle shipping, ensuring safe and efficient transport over long distances.

• Drums
  The go-to for shipping liquids and powders in smaller quantities, drum containers offer safe and convenient transport for these materials.

• Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)
  Bigger than drums, IBCs are built for bulk liquid or powder transport, handling significant volumes.
• Platform Containers
  Imagine a flat platform – that’s a platform container! These are ideal for oversized cargo or heavy loads that wouldn’t fit in open top or flat rack containers.

With containers, there are a lot of options available, and selecting the most suitable one for your specific cargo can be a hard task. Atlantic Project Cargo’s team of specialists has extensive knowledge and experience in containerized shipping. We can guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you choose the perfect container to meet your needs.

Whether you require a standard dry container for general cargo, a high cube container for maximizing space, or a temperature-controlled reefer for delicate perishables, our experts will provide tailored recommendations based on your specific shipment. We’ll consider factors like cargo size, weight, and temperature sensitivity to ensure your goods arrive safely and efficiently at their destination.

So, don’t hesitate to contact Atlantic Project Cargo today!