The Complete Guide to Shipping Containers

Standardized container dimensions help your business run more smoothly. Product selection is simpler and shipping is easier.

ISO standard containers are available in sizes ranging from 10 feet to 40 feet. Shipping container sizes can be found on the container registration number. Container owners can also find this information on the container identification number.

These standard sizes and specifications can be applied to similar storage solutions, including reefer containers, ISO tank containers, open top containers, etc.

In this container sizing guide, we'll show you everything you need to know about finding the right container for your commercial storage or worksite office space application.

In The Complete Guide to Shipping Containers by 5 Parts:

· A Brief History of Shipping Containers

· What are the types of containers?

· Shipping Container Dimensions & Specifications

· Features of Sea Containers

· International Container Shipping with Specific Container - Port to Port / Door to Door

A Brief History of Shipping Containers

Early 20th Century Shipping

Prior to the 1950s, loading a cargo ship was a laborious process, with cargo being loaded onto the ship piece by piece. During the Korean War, the U.S. Army developed the "Container Express" box system to make it easier to transport supplies. The word "Conex" came from this system, and to this day, Conex is still synonymous with containers. Prior to the 1950s, there were also a number of different container systems in use, but each shipping container was still different from company to company and not easily interchangeable.

Containerization of shipping

Malcom McLean is often credited with "inventing" the container, but this is a bit of a stretch. McLean was certainly the first to successfully commercialize container shipping, but definitely was not the first to come up with the idea. For instance the Bureau International des Containers (BIC) was founded in 1933, 23 years before McLean would shuttle a few dozen containers from Newark to Houston on a re-purposed World War II cargo ship in 1956.  Matson would soon follow, and began offering containerized freight services two years later.

Standardized Shipping Containers

Sealand (Malcom McLean's original container shipping company, now owned by Maersk) had 33' and 35' containers. Matson's containers were 24 feet long. In the late 1960s, the International Organization for Standardization (commonly known as ISO) developed a standard for shipping container sizes through ISO 668. As a result of the standard set by ISO, containers are now measured in TEUs (20-foot equivalent units). Today there are over 34,000,000 TEUs in circulation (or approximately 20,000,000 containers).

What are the types of containers?

· General Purpose Container (Known as Dry Container)
Dry container is a standard shipping or cargo container that holds dry, temperature insensitive cargo. They are typically available in 40-foot sizes, although a 20-foot option is available.

· High Cube Container

High cube container is an intermodal freight container that is taller and wider than dry container. These containers are used to transport large and bulky items that do not fit into traditional containers.

· Reefer Container
Reefer container is used for cargoes that require temperature control during transportation. The reefer container is equipped with a refrigeration unit which is connected to the ship's power supply.

· Open Top Container
Open top containers have distinctive rooftops and door features as they can be used to ship more extensively than usual freight. Specialized for cargoes that need to be loaded by crane or that are too larger.

· Flat Rack Container
Since the flat rack container type doesn't have any roof and long walls, you can easily load the oversized and uniquely shaped cargo from the top or sides. As a result, the flat rack container can easily store and ship your heavy or bulky cargo such as machinery, timber, pipes, buses, and boats, among other things.

· Hanger Container
Hanger container, sometimes referred to as garmentainers or garments on haner conainer(GOH). They are retrofitted dry containers where garments are hung via string or bar system. In order to meet the needs of the garments and fashion industry. 

· Ventilated Container
Ventilated containers are used for goods that require ventilation. For example, green coffee beans that need to be ventilated during transportation can be moved through a ventilated container; hence the name ventilated holder is also known as a coffee container.   

· ISO Tank Container

ISO tank containers are cylindrical containers used for the storage and shipping of hazardous goods. ISO tanks are made of stainless steel with insulation and protective layers of aluminum or polyurethane, making them the safest containers for such sensitive cargo.

Shipping Container Dimensions & Specifications

Shipping containers meet very specific dimensional standards to ensure that they can be safely stacked on top of and underneath any other shipping container in the world. Standard containers are 8 feet (2.44 meters) wide and are measured in standard containers (20 foot equivalent units). Ocean freight containers follow strict standards to ensure that there are no problems during transport. Each intermodal container (sometimes referred to as a "conex" container) must not only be perfectly stacked on the vessel, but must also be securely locked in the chassis trailer and safely stacked on the railcar. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a standard for shipping container dimensions (via ISO 668).

Features of Sea Containers

Containers are multi-purpose storage containers that can also double as office space. Here are some of the unique features of these containers that make them useful for commercial storage

Weatherproof - These shipping containers are made of durable, industrial-grade corrosion-resistant steel that is weatherproof. These storage containers can withstand the harsh weather conditions outside and are resistant to wind and water.

Safety - Due to their hard shell construction, the outer walls carry most of the stress. In addition to their sturdy construction, shipping containers feature lockable door handles and are equipped with highly secure hitch locks to prevent theft and vandalism.

Easy to transport - Cargo containers can be transport easily from truck to rail or ship.

Scalable - Shipping containers are inherently modular, making them easy to stack and customize. This makes them the perfect alternative to traditional storage and transportation.

International Container Shipping with Specific Container - Port to Port / Door to Door

The two most common sizes of containers exported in North America are 20-foot and 40-foot.

Coastal warehouses such as Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, New York and Chicago typically stock containers of various grades, sizes and configurations.

If you need specific container, STU Supply Chain can offer reefer container, open top container, flat rack container, hanger container and ISO tank container. We parters with COSCO, MSK, ONE, Evergreen, Matson, ZIM and etc, with stable shipping space and competitive freight rates.

STU SupplyChain has the ability to ship containers to United States or worldwide. If you need a specific size unit for a specific location, please contact us for a shipping quote.