EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT SHIPPING CONTAINER DIMENSIONS AND SIZES WHEN TRANSPORTING

Why Shipping Container Dimensions Matter

Standardized ISO containers greatly reduce wasted space on ships, trains, and trucks. For example, ISO 668 standardizes intermodal shipping containers by specifying:

• Length, width, and height
• Weight
• Structural integrity

Uniformity in size and strength is critical. Imagine what would happen with randomly sized intermodal containers. Bottlenecks would arise at every transition point in global freight. Consider the space wasted and time consumed as workers attempted to load cargo containers of different shapes and sizes. Imagine a scenario where a container is transported by ship and then train, but does not fit on a truck heading for its final destination.

Thanks to ISO standardization, logistics professionals move intermodal containers with complete confidence. Precise knowledge of size and weight limits prevents problems like:

• Overloading
• Equipment mismatches
• Obstacles to routing

Standardized freight containers optimize intermodal logistics by maximizing cargo capacities and compatibility. For logistics planners, standardization simplifies tasks. Consistently accurate dimensions result in quicker permitting and safer loading.

Consistent dimensions are also an advantage in the secondary market, as they simplify the use of containers for homes, pools, and more.

Standard Shipping Container Sizes and Types

Shipping containers are typically measured in feet. The 20-foot and 40-foot versions are the most common, although there are 30-, 45-, and 53-foot sizes as well. They come in standard, high cube, and specialized configurations.

20-foot Standard Container (Dry Van)

The 20-foot container is one of the standard shipping container sizes.

• Exterior dimensions: 20’ L × 8’ W × 8.5’ H
• Interior dimensions: 19.5’ L x 7’9" W x 7’8″ H
• Doors: 7'8" W x 7'5" H
• Weight (empty): 5,181 lbs
• Floor area: 150 square feet
• Volume: 1,170 cut
• Payload capacity: 62,610 lbs

Logistics planners use standard 20-foot freight containers to transport dense, heavy items, like machinery parts and smaller construction equipment. They are also used to ship personal goods.

40-foot Standard Container

The 40-foot container is another of the standard shipping container sizes. It is ideal for larger freight and multiple loads. The height and width of a 40-foot container are the same as the 20-foot version.

• Exterior dimensions: 40’ L × 8’ W × 9.5’ H
• Interior dimensions: 39.5’ L x 7’9 W x 7’8″ H
• Doors: 7'8" W x 7'5" H
• Weight (empty): 8,267 lbs
• Floor area: 305 square feet
• Volume: 2,389 cubic feet
• Payload capacity: 63,383 lbs

The standard 40-foot cargo container is the most versatile option for cross-country and overseas applications.

40-foot High Cube Container

The high cube container is a variation of the 40-foot version. A 40-foot high cube container is one foot taller than the standard 40-foot freight container.

• Exterior dimensions: 40’ L × 8’ W × 9.5’ H
• Interior dimensions: 39.5’ L x 7’9 W x 8’10″ H
• Doors: 7'8" W x 8'6" H
• Weight (empty): 9,149 lbs
• Floor area: 305 square feet
• Volume: 2,700 cubic feet
• Payload capacity: 63,210 lbs

High cube containers are ideal for maximizing the use of space. They are also used for specialized cargo, like oversized items, tall machinery, and furniture.

This type of ISO container maximizes transport capacities when stacked. The added height also makes them popular for repurposing as general storage, temporary or permanent housing, portable offices, and retail shops.

Flat Rack Container Transport

A flat rack container has a steel frame, softwood floors, and two end walls, which are either fixed or collapsible. Flat rack containers are perfect for equipment loaded from the top or sides. The team secures cargo with lash rings on the floor, corner posts, and side rails. Flat rack containers are available in 20’, 30’, and 40ft high cubes. They come in collapsible and non-collapsible forms. Standard equipment shipped on flat rack containers includes boat transportation, pipe hauling, bus shipping, jet engine transport, and more.

Tank Container Transport

A tank container is a standard intermodal shipping container for fuel, liquids, powders, and more. They are known as ISO tank containers and tanktainers. Tank containers, generally made of stainless steel, have an insulated layer of aluminum or polyurethane. The materials transported determine the best type of metal and insulation. ISO tanks are effective transport solutions and can be shipped via truck, rail, and air.

Half Height Shipping Container Dimensions

Half-height containers are open-top stackable containers. They are common in offshore oil and gas, wind energy, maritime, and other industries to transport heavy equipment that is high-density, but low volume. Anchors, pipes, and other bulk materials are standard freight. The mining industry commonly uses half-height containers for mineral transport. Half-height containers are easily transported by truck, rail, or sea.

Specialized Container Types

There are also a variety of specialized containers used in intermodal transport.

• Flat-rack - Flat-rack containers have collapsible or removable walls that facilitate loading from the top or the side. These containers typically come with a steel frame, softwood floors, and two end walls. Common sizes are standard 20-foot and 40-foot high cubes. They are ideal for oversized cargo that does not fit in standard freight containers like boats, pipes, and jet engines.
• Open-top - Open-top containers have a removable tarpaulin cover rather than a permanent metal ceiling. Such containers allow easy access by crane. Open-top containers are popular for accommodating oversized and irregularly shaped items.
• Refrigerated - Refrigerated or reefer containers are the go-to solution when shipping perishable items. They come with refrigeration units and proper insulation. Power comes from an onboard generator or an external source.

Refrigerated shipping containers are also used for:

• Emergency relief and disaster response
• Mobile medical clinics and labs
• Cold storage for special events
• Onsite storage for fisheries, farms, and microbreweries

Logistics pros also specify other specialized containers to meet specific needs. For example, half-height containers are stackable, open-top containers common in maritime, mining, and offshore oil and gas applications. They are used to transport dense, heavy items like machinery, minerals, and pipes.

ISO tank containers are another kind of specialized transport. They are popular for moving bulk liquids, fuel, chemicals, and more. ISO tank containers are carefully engineered to prevent leaks and contamination. A stainless steel outer shell protects an insulation layer and the product itself.

Understanding ISO Container Standards

An ISO container meets specifications set by the International Organization for Standardization. ISO specifications establish standard shipping container dimensions, weight capacities, and stacking limits. They also address cargo container components like corner castings and twist-lock points.

Some important ISO standards are:

• ISO 668 – classifies containers by size and strength
• ISO 6346 – addresses coding, identification, and marking of containers
• ISO 1161 – sets corner casting and twist-lock standards

For example, ISO 668 specifies that a 40-foot shipping container must sustain a maximum superimposed mass of 470,000 lbs at the corners. ISO 1161 mandates the use of corner castings of sufficient strength. As a result, they are fabricated from high-strength carbon steel, 304 or 316 stainless steel, or aluminum alloy. ISO-compliant twist-locks ensure that containers are safely secured on trucks, boats, and ships.

Universal acceptance of ISO specs limits intermodal container problems that would otherwise tie up shipping operations. The stakes are high, as a single container failure can jeopardize thousands of dollars' worth of cargo. ISO compliance ensures international acceptance, and it guarantees that performance standards are met.

How Heavy Equipment Transport Handles Container Shipping

Heavy Equipment Transport has the specialized equipment to move standard, oversized, and specialty containers.

Our comprehensive container shipping services include:

• Customized container transport
• Loading via side-lift trucks and portable cranes
• Drayage container moving services
• Pilot cars for the biggest loads

With Heavy Equipment Transport, you can count on secure loading, trouble-free route planning, and efficient scheduling. We coordinate your shipment with ports and rail yards. We obtain nationwide and cross-border permits as needed.

From 20-foot standard to high cube containers, Heavy Equipment Transport delivers on time and on budget—every haul, every mile.

Conclusion

Understanding shipping container dimensions is vital to optimizing your cargo shipments. At Heavy Equipment Transport, we have the knowledge required to move freight containers safely, regardless of size or specialty.

Look to us for expert help when you need standard, high cube, or specialized shipping containers. Get the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing your important cargo will move with precision and compliance.

Get your quote by calling us today at (888) 730-2951.