In international trade, shipping is one of the most commonly used methods of cargo transportation. Container transportation has become one of the main methods of global cargo transportation due to its high efficiency, low cost and high safety. Different types of containers can meet the needs of different types of cargo transportation and ensure the safety and integrity of the goods during transportation.
This article will introduce the different types of containers shipped from China by sea in detail, including their characteristics, applicable scenarios and advantages, to help you choose the right container for transportation.
Standard container (20ft, 40ft)
Standard container, also known as dry cargo container, is the most common type of container. It is mainly used to transport various common commodities, such as electronic products, mechanical equipment, home appliances, etc. Standard containers can be divided into two common specifications, 20 feet and 40 feet, which are suitable for cargo transportation of different scales.
20ft container:
The internal dimensions of a 20-foot container are usually 5.9 meters (length) × 2.35 meters (width) × 2.39 meters (height), which is suitable for small batches and high-density cargo transportation. The loading capacity of a 20-foot container is relatively small, but it is an ideal choice for heavier and smaller goods. Due to its relatively low transportation cost, it is widely used in export transportation of small and medium-sized enterprises.
40ft container:
The internal dimensions of a 40-foot container are 12.03 meters (length) × 2.35 meters (width) × 2.39 meters (height). Compared with a 20-foot container, its transportation capacity and loading capacity are larger, and it is suitable for the transportation of bulk goods. 40-foot containers are suitable for goods that are large or require long-term storage, and are more economical during transportation. It is one of the most commonly used containers in international trade.
Advantages of standard containers:
- Standard containers have a wide range of applications and are suitable for almost all general cargo transportation.
- They are highly adaptable and can be used in most ports and routes around the world.
- They have high transportation security and goods are not easily affected by weather and external environment.
High Cube Container
High Cube Container (abbreviated as High Cube) is an improved version of the standard container, the difference is that its height is about 30 cm higher than the standard container, usually 9.5 feet (2.9 meters) high. This design allows high cube containers to load more goods, especially larger goods.
Features of High Cube Containers:
- Extra Space: The extra height of the high cube container provides more loading space, suitable for large but not heavy goods, such as home appliances, furniture, textiles, etc.
- Flexible transportation: Suitable for goods with large height or high packaging, which can effectively improve transportation efficiency.
Advantages of High Cube Containers:
- Can accommodate more goods, reduce gaps, and improve loading efficiency.
- Suitable for large and light goods, such as large furniture, cartons, etc.
- Compared with standard containers, it has stronger loading capacity and relatively lower transportation costs.
Reefer Container
Reefer container, also known as frozen container, is a container specially designed for transporting goods that require constant temperature control. It is equipped with refrigeration equipment inside, which can set different temperatures according to the needs of the goods to ensure that the goods remain fresh during transportation.
Features of reefer container:
- Temperature control function: Reefer containers can provide a stable temperature environment during transportation and are often used to transport temperature-sensitive goods such as food, medicines, biological products, chemicals, etc.
- Wide temperature range: The temperature of reefer containers can be adjusted to suit various needs from -25°C to +25°C. Depending on the different goods, the temperature can be precisely controlled.
Advantages of reefer containers:
- Suitable for transporting perishable goods such as fruits, seafood, meat, frozen foods, etc.
- Ensure that the goods will not be affected by high or low temperatures during long-distance transportation.
- Provide customized temperature control services to meet the special needs of different types of goods.
Open Top Container
Open top containers do not have a fixed roof on the top, but a removable canvas covering. This design makes open top containers more convenient for loading and unloading bulk goods, especially for those with large or irregular shapes.
Features of open top containers:
- Easy loading and unloading: Since the top is open, the goods can be directly put in or taken out from the top by a crane during loading and unloading, which is suitable for large machinery and equipment, steel, building materials, etc.
- Wide range of applications: Open top containers are suitable for the transportation of irregular shapes or super-high and super-large goods.
Advantages of open top containers:
- Easy to load and unload large and heavy goods, especially those that cannot be entered through the side or front door.
- Suitable for tall or large goods, such as building materials, construction machinery, large equipment, etc.
- Compared with other containers, open top containers have higher transportation flexibility.
Flat Rack Container
A flat rack container is a container without side walls and top cover, and the cargo is placed directly on the flat plate. This container is designed to transport bulky, heavy or irregularly shaped cargo, such as large machinery, equipment, steel, etc.
Features of flat rack containers:
- Open design: There is no closed top and side, suitable for loading large and irregularly shaped cargo.
- Strong adaptability: Flat rack containers are suitable for all kinds of cargo that cannot be placed in standard containers, especially those with heavy weight or complex shapes.
Advantages of flat rack containers:
- Suitable for the transportation of overweight, oversized and over-high cargo, such as industrial equipment, building materials, etc.
- Because there is no top structure, the cargo can be easily loaded and unloaded, reducing the difficulty of operation.
- Suitable for special cargo that cannot be accommodated in standard containers.
Special Shipping Services
In addition to the above types of containers, there are some special shipping service options for sea transportation, as follows:
Out of Gauge (OOG) Containers
- Definition: OOG containers are short for out of gauge containers and are specially designed to transport oversized cargo that exceeds the standard container size.
- Suitable for: Ideally, it is well suited for transporting heavy, bulky or irregularly shaped items that cannot be broken down into smaller units.
- Example: For example, heavy machinery, construction equipment, large ships or wind turbine parts are typical cargoes shipped using OOG containers.
Breakbulk
- Definition: Breakbulk shipping refers to shipping items individually or on pallets, skids or crates instead of in containers, usually using special containers designed for breakbulk cargo.
- Suitable for: Best suited for transporting cargo that is too large to be transported in containers, but not large enough or suitable for transport in breakbulk ships.
- Example: Frequently transported cargo includes construction equipment, manufacturing materials or oversized vehicle parts.
- Why breakbulk shipping may be your best choice: If you have non-containerized cargo that is difficult to handle, breakbulk shipping provides flexibility and eases your logistics challenges.
Dry Bulk
- Definition: Dry bulk is a mode of transport where loose, granular, dry commodities are transported in large containers without packaging.
- Suitable for: It is usually used for homogeneous commodities that can be poured directly into the hold of a ship.
- Example: Items such as grain, coal or gravel can be safely and economically transported this way.
Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro)
- Definition: Roll-on/Roll-off, commonly known as Ro-Ro, involves driving a vehicle or machinery onto a Ro-Ro vessel and securing it for transport.
- Suitable for: This mode of transport is ideal for self-propelled, wheeled or tracked vehicles.
- Example: Cars, trucks, semi-trucks, trailers or railroad cars are all good choices for Ro-Ro transport.
- Why it might be the best choice for you: If you are transporting a car or large machinery that can be moved on its own wheels, Ro-Ro can simplify your journey.
If you want to know more about shipping from China to different countries, you can click on the corresponding post below:
- Shipping from China to USA
- Shipping from China to Canada
- Shipping From China to UAE
- Shipping from China to Saudi Arabia
- Shipping From China to Iraq
- Shipping From China to Kuwait
- Shipping From China to Oman
Choosing the right type of container is crucial for cargo transportation. Different types of containers can meet the transportation needs of different goods.
- Standard containers are suitable for most general goods, especially 20-foot and 40-foot models are widely used in the market;
- High-cube containers are suitable for larger goods, especially when more space is needed; Refrigerated containers provide the necessary transportation guarantee for goods with temperature control requirements;
- Open-top containers and flat-bed containers provide ideal transportation platforms for goods with special sizes, heavy weights or irregular shapes.
Understanding the characteristics and advantages of various containers can help you choose the most suitable transportation method according to the specific needs of the goods, ensuring a smooth, efficient and economical transportation process.