Types of Shipping Containers: What You Need to Know

Shipping containers are an essential part of the global supply chain, allowing goods to be transported quickly and safely from one place to another. As an expert in the field of shipping containers, I'm here to provide you with an overview of the three main categories of shipping containers and what they are used for.

10, 20 and 40 Foot Dry Storage Containers

Dry storage containers are the most common type of shipping container. They come in three sizes: 10, 20 and 40 feet, and are 8.5 feet tall.

These containers are made of steel for added strength and durability, and can be used to transport a variety of goods.

Flat Frame Containers

Flat frame containers have no top and only two sides. This leaves room for heavy loads to be placed on the shelf from above or from one side. Most flat rack containers are 20 or 40 feet long and are made of steel for added strength and durability.

Some flat frame containers are foldable and others come with additional walls that can be attached to the frame.

Containers with an Open Top

Containers with an open top have a long side that can be fully opened. This is beneficial for wide goods that can be difficult to pass through the end of a tunnel container or a dry storage container. The side opens as if it were made of two large doors, but it can still be secured to protect the merchandise inside. At Alconet Containers, we specialize in buying and selling various types of containers. With two container warehouses in the port of Rotterdam, with a total size of 90,000 m2, we offer excellent opportunities in the field of storage, repair, modification and maintenance of containers. These are just some of the types of shipping containers available on the market today.

Tank containers are used to transport liquids or chemicals, while open top containers can be loaded from the top. Flat-frame containers are used to transport goods with unique dimensions, while residential containers are often designed for moving or for residential on-site storage. When considering the different types of shipping containers, keep in mind that since they are reused, they can come in a variety of conditions. Many shipping companies refuse to move empty containers and reuse them instead.