What are the main types of containers used in ocean freight?

The main types of containers used in ocean freight include dry storage, open-top, open-side, refrigerated, tank, flat rack, tunnel, double-door, insulated, car carrier, half-height, and special-purpose containers. The right container depends on the cargo type, size, weight, and transportation requirements.

How do I choose the right container for ocean freight?

Choose a container based on the type, size, weight, dimensions, and handling requirements of your cargo. For example, refrigerated containers are suitable for temperature-sensitive goods, while open-top and flat rack containers are commonly used for oversized or bulky cargo.

What is a refrigerated container used for?

Refrigerated containers, also known as reefer containers, are designed to transport temperature-sensitive and perishable goods. They use temperature-control systems to help maintain suitable conditions during ocean transportation.

Types of Shipping Containers for Ocean Freight

Exporting/Importing goods involve the storage of goods in a container or vessel so that the cargo is not damaged or harmed while shipping. But one of the major problems that exporters face is that they choose the wrong container for their cargo, which in turn results in cargo damage. This blog will focus on the major types of containers that are used in Ocean Freight.

TYPES OF CONTAINERS USED IN OCEAN FREIGHT

Dry storage containers

These kinds of containers are used in ocean freight for storing dry materials, and they are the most commonly used shipping containers. These kinds of containers come in various dimensions standardized by ISO. They come in sizes of 10 feet, 20 feet, and 40 feet.

Open-top containers

These containers are specially designed to store materials of any height. It can store materials of any height because of its design, which comes with a convertible top that can be opened to accommodate materials of any size.

Open-side storage containers

These containers are provided with doors on one side so that they can change into completely open sides, which makes it convenient for the goods to be stored in them.

Refrigerated ISO containers

As the name suggests, these containers are equipped with temperature-regulated mechanisms and are exclusively used for the shipment of substances like vegetables and fruits. These containers maintain a carefully controlled low temperature for the shipment of perishable substances.

Tanks

These kinds of containers are designed especially for the transportation of liquid substances. These containers are mostly made of anti-corrosive materials or strong steel, which makes them suitable for the transportation of liquids over long distances.

Flat Rack Container

The specialty of this container is that it has collapsible sides that can be turned into a flat rack, which in turn makes the loading of goods convenient and easy.

Tunnel Container

These containers are in the shape of a tunnel with doors on both ends. This container can make the loading and unloading of goods easy.

Double-door container

These containers have double doors and are rectangular in shape. The double doors give a wider room for the loading and unloading of the goods. They are constructed with steel, iron, etc., which makes them suitable for the storage of large quantities of goods.

Insulated or Thermal Containers

These are regulated with temperature-control units, allowing them to maintain a high temperature. These containers are suitable for the storage of substances that need to be transported over long distances at high temperatures.

Cargo Storage Roll Container

These containers are made of thick and strong wire mesh that is easily foldable and is available in a lot of colorful wires. These containers are also provided with rollers at the bottom that make their movement convenient and easy.

Car Carriers

Car carriers are containers specially designed to transport or ship cars over long distances. These containers are provided with collapsible sides that can help the car fit inside them properly without getting damaged.

Drums

The circular shape of these containers is the feature that makes them distinct from all other containers, which are either square in shape or rectangular in shape. They are most suitable for the transportation of liquids over long distances as they are made of light metals like fiber, hard plastics, etc.

Half-height Containers

As the name suggests, these containers are half the height of the full-sized container, which makes them suitable for the transportation of coal, stones, etc., which need easy loading and unloading.

Intermediate Bulk Shift Containers

These containers are suitable for the bulk shipment of goods. They are designed for the purpose of intermediate bulk shipment.

Special Purpose Containers

These containers are specially designed for the shipment of high-profile shipments, like weapons and arsons. The construction material depends on the purpose it needs to serve. The top priority of these containers is to provide security during the shipment of goods.

By now, you must have gained a good insight into the types of containers used in ocean freight. So, the next time you choose the container for the transportation of goods, choose it after reading about its specialty to ship it to the destination without any problems.