Most of us are familiar with only two sizes of shipping containers, for example, a 20ft shipping container and a 40ft shipping container. What many people do not know is that there are many other sizes and types of shipping containers available in the market, each designed for a specific purpose. Listed below are a few of the most common types of shipping containers for sale in the market today:
Standard/Dry Shipping Containers
Standard or dry shipping containers are by far the most common type of shipping containers used in the world. They are made to be capable of handling any kind of cargo. They are available in sizes of 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft and are used to transport all types of general or dry cargo.
High Cube Shipping Containers
From its external appearance and design, the high cube shipping container may look like a standard dry container. However, the main difference between the two is their internal storage capacity. High cube shipping containers are 9 feet 6 inches tall whereas the standard dry containers are 8 feet 6 inches tall. In a 40ft long container, this height difference means 344 cubic feet more storage space. This extra storage capacity that makes high cube shipping containers ideal for transporting light, large volume cargo.
Open Top Shipping Containers
As the name suggests, open top shipping containers come with a retractable roof, just like the ones you see in convertible cars. This feature allows you to store or transport anything that doesn’t fit in a standard sized, closed shipping container. They are ideal for transporting extremely heavy objects such as forklifts, slabs of marble and granite or anything that is too tall to fit in a normal or even a high cube shipping container. Open top shipping containers come in both sizes.
Flat-rack Shipping Containers
Flat-rack shipping containers have an open construction and they are ideal for transporting overly bulky and heavy cargo. In order to support exceptionally wide loads, flat-rack shipping containers have a thick, reinforced base. They are capable of carrying a maximum load of around 50 tons. They are ideal for transporting large machinery, steel bars, pipes and cables.
Half Height Shipping Containers
Cut the standard dry shipping container vertically into two pieces and you will get what is called a half height container. It comes in a variety of lengths, with an open top or with a removable lid. It is ideal for transporting dense and heavy cargo such as coal, minerals, or other similar materials for the mining industry.
Refrigerated Shipping Containers
Refrigerated shipping containers come with the same exterior dimensions as standard dry shipping containers, but they are heavily insulated and have an efficient heating and cooling system installed. They are used for transporting perishable goods, fresh produce, chemicals, medicines, or other items which need to be kept at a certain temperature during transportation.