How Tall Are Shipping Containers? | Dimensions & Sizes

Shipping containers also known as Conex boxes are widely used across the world to transport goods and equipment across long distances. They are popular due to their durability, adaptability, and mobility. One of the significant factors that affect their popularity is their size, including their height.

History of Shipping Containers Sizes

The standardization of shipping containers by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) began in the 1960s. The ISO set the standard dimensions for shipping containers to allow for greater efficiency in transportation and storage, paving the way for ISO shipping.

The standard dimensions include a length of 20 feet or 40 feet, a width of 8 feet, and a height of 8 feet 6 inches. Additional standardized dimensions include the corner fittings that allow containers to be locked in place during transportation and the doors that allow for easy access to the contents of the container.

By standardizing these dimensions, shipping containers could be easily transported via trucks, trains, and ships without the need for custom-sized crates for each cargo shipment. They make transporting goods between countries via cargo ships much faster and more efficient.

Shipping Container Sizes & Dimensions

Standard Dry Van Shipping Containers are the most common types of shipping containers. They are used for transporting dry goods, such as clothes, toys, and electronics.

Dry van storage containers come in various sizes. These sizes include 10 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft Standard, 40ft High Cube, and 45ft High Cube. The High cube sizes are one foot taller than the rest.

• A 10ft shipping container is the shortest type of all dry van containers. With a freight capability of transporting up to 11,600 pounds. The 10ft container is 10 ft long, 8 ft wide, and 8ft 6 inches tall. This means that it has enough storage space for small and medium-sized items and makes it suitable for foot shipping.
• 20ft shipping container: This is the most popular, and can comfortably transport up to 33,000 lbs of cargo. It has standard dimensions of 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet 6 inches tall. It can store 10-12 standard pallets.
• 40ft shipping container: For large shipments, this container is the best option. It provides a total capacity of 45,000 lbs. It has dimensions of approximately 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet 6 inches tall. It can also hold up to 25-30 standard pallets making it an efficient option for large-volume shipments.
• 40ft High Cube Containers: Compared to 40ft containers, these storage containers are one foot taller and provide an additional 800 cu ft of space. It has dimensions of approximately 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 9 feet 6 inches tall.
• 45ft High cube shipping containers come larger, yet are often hard to find since they’re not as widely available. 45ft High Cube Containers offer greater storage capacity than regular containers, allowing for items that need extra vertical space to fit.

Learn About Other Shipping Container Types

You can find various shipping containers in the market, each with distinct features and purposes. Below are some of the frequently used types:

• Flat Rack Shipping Containers are ideal for transporting large items. They have a flat base and collapsible side walls. Examples of items that can be transported in these containers include boats, vehicles, and machinery.Flat rack container size comes in 40 ft long with a width of 8 ft 6 inches and a height of 8 ft 2 inches. It also has a smaller 20 ft container with a width of 6 ft 5 inches, and a height of 6 ft 1 inch. suitable for smaller loads.
• Open-top shipping containers have no metal roofs. This makes them ideal for transporting tall items. Such items may not fit in a standard container. They often come with a tarp or another type of removable cover to protect the goods during transport. The usual size for open-top containers is 20 ft long, 8 ft and 6 inches wide, and 7 ft 4 inches tall. while the 40 ft long variant is 8 ft and 6 inches wide, 8 ft 2 inches tall.
• Refrigerated Shipping Containers widely recognized as Reefers, these types of containers are used to transport goods, and products that require a specific temperature, such as produce like fresh or frozen foods, and medicines. The sizes and dimensions come with 20 ft long, 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 7 ft 4 inches tall. while the 40 ft long variant is 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 8 ft 2 inches tall.
• Tank Shipping Containers are specially designed to transport liquids, gasses, and powders in bulk quantities and are guaranteed watertight.? They come in 20 and 40-ft variants, with the 20 ft long, 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 7 ft 4 inches tall. The 40 ft long variant is 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 8 ft 2 inches tall.
• Open Side Shipping Containers have cargo doors that open on the side, making it easier to load and unload large or heavy items that won’t fit through the end doors. It also has two variants, 20 ft long, 8 ft 6 inches, and 7 ft 4 inches tall. The larger 40 ft long is 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 8 ft 2 inches tall.
• Duo-Con Shipping Containers are a special type of container that can be opened from both sides because of their double-door design. It is 20 ft long, 8 ft 6 inches, and 7 ft 4 inches tall.
• Shipping Container Chassis are special trailers that are designed to transport shipping containers. The most common chassis transport variants are 20 ft long and 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 9ft 6 inches tall.

The 40 ft long variant is 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 9 ft 6 inches tall. A Shipping Container Chassis offers many advantages when compared to other modes of transportation. It can transport multiple containers at once which reduces turnaround times significantly.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are many different types of shipping containers available. Each one has its specifications and uses. When selecting a container, take into account the size or measurement, and shapes of goods that you want to put inside the container. Additionally, think about any specific requirements, such as temperature control and wind and water resistance.

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