Types of Shipping Containers you Need to Know | BOXXPORT

Shipping containers have been around for years, but its application is growing consistently day by day. Earlier shipping containers were used solely for the shipment of cargoes. But now they are being used for multiple purposes, call it- storage, shipment, or for building houses. Even in shipping, a single type of container cannot be used for all types of cargoes. There have to be specific containers for different categories of cargoes like- bulk, light, big size, perishable, or liquid.

Some companies like BOXXPORT has now started to offer consumers an easier way to acquire different types of containers. BOXXPORT. enables people from all across the globe to sell and buy containers online with just a few clicks.

In this article, we will be talking about 12 different types of containers used by the shipping industry

Dry Van: Dry Van containers are standard shipping boxes made suitable for all modes of transportation. It is made from high-quality steel that makes them worthy of most of the cargo shipment. It opens at the rear and has two leaf doors that open wide to provide enough entrance and exit space. It comes in various dimensions- 20ft, 40ft, 40ft high cube, and 45ft high cube.

Pallet Wide: Pallet wide containers are approximately 5cm wider than a standard container. These are designed to optimize the carriage of euro-pallets. It can give space to three to six extra euro pallets without any loss of storage space. The accommodation of more pallets makes them worthwhile in comparison to standard containers. It comes in four different dimensions- 20ft, 40ft, 40ft high cube & 45ft high cube.

Double Door: Double door containers are very useful because of their unique design. Unlike general cargo containers, they have doors at both ends. It is designed to cater for the storage and transportation of different goods in the same box from both sides. It allows for easy loading and unloading of goods. It is considered perfect for FCL shipment because it can be separated into compartments in which goods of multiple shippers can be adjusted properly. Read in detail about double door containers.

Side Door: Unlike other shipping boxes that have a door on their breadth sides, side doors have doors length-wise. The doors are made either of steel or tarpaulin which can be fully or partially opened to access the interior. When the panels are folded back, the entire side is left open, making loading or unloading extremely easy. These can be folded back into place to provide the same level of security.

In addition to shipment, customers also find the side door as an ideal option for storage space because of wide opening space. People planning for building with shipping containers look for side doors as it allows for easy construction and modification. After some modifications, the retail and events industries use side door containers as portable shops.

Open Top: As the name itself explains, these are the containers that have their opening from the top. It has a removable tarpaulin cover and moveable rear top rail enabling the cargoes to be loaded from the top. These are specifically designed to carry heavy loads which can be loaded from the top. It is also suitable for cargo that usually protrudes beyond the height of the box. In that case, the upper case of the box is kept aside. Although, stacking is restricted in that case. 

Hard Top: Hard top container is similar in function to Open Top Containers. It also has a removable top enabling the cargo to be loaded from top. It is designed for the carriage of heavy and bulky goods that can be easily loaded and unloaded from top. The removable top can be removed and kept aside for cargoes exceeding the height of the box. It comes in different dimensions like 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft high cube.

Flat Rack: Flat rack containers are designed to facilitate the carriage of heavy and wide cargoes. Unlike standard cargo containers, they are missing with their two walls. They have only two walls which can either be fixed or collapsible. The flush folding designs allow them to be used as Platform containers with the only limitation being, they cannot be stacked on top of each other. Since they are not close-packed boxes, a proper lashing is required for cargoes. To provide safety to cargoes, so many rings are fixed in the side rails. The flat racks are available with forklift pockets.

Platform: The name of the platform container itself says that it has only platform and no walls, no roofs, and no doors. It is almost similar to flat rack but can also accommodate cargoes that exceed beyond the area of the platform. It is also perfectly suitable for goods that cannot be carried in a closed container.

Insulated Containers: These are the boxes that are specifically designed for the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods. They have an insulated coating from inside which can maintain temperature for a longer time. In fact, their walls, roof, floor, doors, and everything is insulated. The insulated coating prevents cargoes from getting rot. Although they cannot heat or cool itself but they can retain temperature for a specific time length. It comes in all dimensions- 20ft, 40ft & 40ft high cube.

Reefers: Reefers aka refrigerated containers are similar to insulated containers. The only difference between them is that reefers have their own heating and cooling units attached to them. Through which it can maintain the required temperature for a long time. It is also solely used for the storage and transportation of temperature-controlled products. Although they are insulated from all sides the electric/diesel heating/cooling unit maintains temperature for days. It is refrigerated containers which make the shipment of perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, biological products (like blood, organ, pharmaceuticals) possible over long distances.

Bulkers: Bulkers are extensively used for the transportation of solid bulk goods like malt, coffee beans, coal, fertilizers, or grain. Since this type of cargo represents the largest share of international maritime shipping, bulkers are one of the most demanded container types. The cargoes are loaded through openings in the roof and discharged via hatches in the doors and front panels.

Tankers: Tanker containers are designed for the purpose of carriage of liquid and gaseous cargoes ranging from coke, foodstuff, to hazardous chemicals. The tank is actually a vessel of stainless steel surrounded by insulation and a protective layer of polyurethane and aluminium. Some tanks are also equipped with special heating or cooling units that help to prevent cargoes from damage. The cargo is loaded via a hatch on the top and unloaded via valve outlet situated at the bottom.

Conclusion: Container acquisition may seem to be a little difficult. That’s why we at BOXXPORT are always there to help you acquire all types of shipping containers at a very negotiated rate. It provides you an open marketplace where you can sell and buy containers online from anywhere in the world. With BOXXPORT.com, containers are just a few clicks away!