How Many Types Of Containers Are There?

With 90% of the world’s goods being transported by sea, it’s easy to think that everything gets loaded into a standard sized shipping container and sent on it’s way. The truth is, there are many different kinds of containers – all with their respective shipping container sizes and uses, ranging from a small 8ft container, right up to a mighty 40ft container.

Read on to find on to discover how many types of containers there are and what they are used for.

How big are shipping containers usually?

Did you know that the original container design was a relatively simple storage unit measuring just 8ft wide, 8ft high and 33ft long?

Since then, shipping containers have evolved a lot, with different types catering to different uses.

As far as the “how big are shipping containers” question goes, the two most common sizes (and types) include a 20ft ISO container and a 40ft ISO container.

Different kinds of shipping containers

Here’s a list of some of the different types of containers available.

Standard shipping containers: Standard or general-purpose containers are the most common type of containers circulating around the globe. They are for transporting dry goods only and are commonly available as 20ft containers and 40ft containers.

Open top containers: These containers have a removable top, making them ideal for goods that are too tall to fit into standard containers. Open top containers come in handy when heavy items must be lifted with a crane to be loaded into the container.

Open side container: Certain kinds of cargo is too wide and bulky to go through the main container opening or hatch, and this is where it’s best to use an open side container. In addition to a basic door on one end, these containers also have a side-opening door to allow for easy loading and unloading.

Platform Container: A platform container is a simple floor arrangement, which does not comprise any end or sidewalls. They are not meant for normal or standard cargo to be shipped in them. They are meant for all your unique types of cargo that cannot be transported in other types of cargo boxes available.

Flat rack container: A Flat Rack Container is similar to any other type of shipping container with the slight difference that it does not have two side walls (longer ones) and is devoid of a roof. This kind of container is mainly ideal for large-sized, bulky, and heavy-duty cargoes that do not readily fit in a regular standard container due to the restraints of space due to the walls and the roof.

Mini Container: Mini containers offer all the strength and security of their larger counterparts, but in a more compact package. Minis are also easier to move around. Popular with both contractors and residential customers, these units look great, fit in tight spaces, and keep your belongings dry and secure. All our containers are inspected to be wind & water tight, keeping your belongings safe from the elements.

Special containers: These containers are designed and engineered to cater to the unique transportation and storage needs of various industries. Unlike standard shipping containers, special purpose containers feature specialized equipment and configurations, enabling them to handle goods that require unique handling, environmental controls, or security measures.

Why are shipping containers different colors?

Great question!

One of the key reasons shipping containers come in different colors is for identification purposes. So, for example, brand new/never used before containers are painted a specific color while used and storage containers or special containers are painted a different color to let shippers know what they are used for and how to handle them.

The color coding also helps shipping facility operators identify containers according to their type and shipping line, rather than individually checking each container’s code to identify them.