Types and Sizes of Containers

Types and Sizes of Containers

Containers are the most integral part of the shipping industry, trade, and logistics as a whole. To clarify, shipping containers are structures or boxes that store various types of products that need to be shipped from one location to another via maritime shipping. The size and type of container are determined based on the nature and dimensions of the cargo.

In our current era, different types of shipping containers are used to meet the requirements of all kinds of cargo shipping, especially in Saudi Arabia, which is a strategic hub for container transport. With the expansion of logistics, we at Bader for Shipping Services and Logistics aim to be leaders in this field and achieve Vision 2030. Therefore, we will provide a simplified explanation of container sizes and types, starting with the most common in logistics shipping. Now, we will outline the dimensions and sizes of containers:

Dimensions of the Standard 20-Foot Shipping Container

20ft dry shipping container

The standard 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers are among the most commonly used containers worldwide for maritime cargo transport.

Standard shipping containers differ from other types of containers in that they are completely enclosed. Closed shipping containers are not equipped with refrigeration or ventilation systems like refrigerated and ventilated containers; they are referred to as standard or regular containers.

The standard 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers are also known as “dry shipping containers.”

A standard 20-foot container can accommodate up to 10 or 11 pallets.

• Dimensions of the 20-Foot Dry Shipping Container:

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the 20-Foot Dry Shipping Container
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 8 ⅛”	7′ 6 ¼”
Door opening in meters	2.34 m	2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 8 ⅝”	7′ 6 ¼”	19′ 4 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.34 m	2.29 m	5.9 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	52,831 lbs	4,914 lbs	47,899 lbs
Weight in kg	23,956 kg	2,229 kg	21,727 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	1,172 CFT	33.2 CBM

Dimensions of the 40-Foot Dry Shipping Container

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the 40-Foot Dry Shipping Container
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 8 ⅛”	7′ 6 ¼”
Door opening in meters	2.34 m	2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 8 ⅝”	7′ 10 ¼”	37′ 11 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.352 m	2.395 m	12.01 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	67,199 lbs	5,220 lbs	59,039 lbs
Weight in kg	30,481 kg	3,701 kg	26,780 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	2,389.75 CFT	67.67 CBM

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the 40-Foot High Cube Dry Shipping Container
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 8 ⅛”	8′ 6 ¼”
Door opening in meters	2.34 m	2.56 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 8 ⅝”	8′ 10 ⅛”	39′ 5 ⅝”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.352 m	2.69 m	12.01 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	67,196 lbs	8,747 lbs	58,448 lbs
Weight in kg	30,480 kg	3,968 kg	26,512 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	2,694 CFT	76.3 CBM

Dimensions of the 45-Foot Dry or Standard Shipping Container:

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the 45-Foot Dry or Standard Shipping Container:
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 9½”	8′ 5 ¾”
Door opening in meters	2.37 m	2.58 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 11″	8′ 10″	44′ 4 ¾”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.41 m	2.69 m	13.53 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	74,960 lbs	10,910 lbs	64,050 lbs
Weight in kg	3,4000 kg	4,950 kg	29,050 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	3,122 CFT	88.4 CBM

• Dimensions of the Ventilated Shipping Container or Coffee Container

The 20-foot ventilated container is a shipping container that provides a ventilation system and features side openings that allow for periodic airflow.

The ventilation feature of the container makes it suitable for transporting goods that require stable temperatures and conditions.

Thanks to its ventilation system, the 20-foot ventilated container can expel hot air and allow fresh air to enter, preventing condensation and humidity changes that could damage the cargo.

One of the main products transported in ventilated containers is coffee, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the “coffee container.”

• Dimensions of the 20-Foot Ventilated Shipping Container:

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the Ventilated Shipping Container or Coffee Container
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 8 ⅛”	7′ 6 ¼”
Door opening in meters	2.34 m	2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 8 ⅝”	7′ 10 ¼”	19′ 4 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.352 m	2.395 m	5.9 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	52,897 lbs	5,297 lbs	47,899 lbs
Weight in kg	32,500 kg	2,394 kg	21,727 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	1,172 CFT	33.2 CBM

• Dimensions of the Refrigerated Shipping Container, Also Known as Reefer Container

Refrigerated shipping containers, also known as reefer containers, are equipped with a system that helps maintain an internal temperature ranging from -25 to 25 degrees Celsius. The temperature inside the container remains constant from the moment the goods are loaded until they are unloaded. These containers are relatively expensive to ship, and we at Badr for Shipping Services utilize them for clients with date factories to transport dates due to the need for refrigeration.

Not only that, but there are certain types of refrigerated containers capable of maintaining low temperatures down to -60 degrees Celsius, which is 60 degrees below zero.

Since the container is equipped with refrigeration units, it requires a power supply to be connected first at the port and then again on the vessel to continue cooling throughout the journey. This makes them costly to ship but ensures greater safety for goods requiring refrigeration, especially fresh food, frozen items, fish, meat, fruits, and other perishable goods. They are also used for transporting and shipping medicines and pharmaceutical products.

• Dimensions of the 20-Foot Refrigerated Shipping Container:

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the Refrigerated Shipping
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 8 ⅛”	7′ 6 ¼”
Door opening in meters	2.34 m	2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7’6″	7′ 4 ⅞”	17′ 11 ⅝”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.28 m	2.33 m	5.45 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	67,200 lbs	6,970 lbs	60,230 lbs
Weight in kg	30,480 kg	3,160 kg	27,320 kg

Container Application:		Dimensions of the 40-Foot Refrigerated Shipping Container
Container Dimensions	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 5 ⅜”	6′ 11 ⅞”
Door opening in meters	2.26 m	2.13 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7’5 ⅜”	7′ 1 ⅞”	37′ 11 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.26 m	2.18 m	11.48 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	67,053 lbs	10,778 lbs	56,275 lbs
Weight in kg	30,415 kg	4,889 kg	25,526 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	2,039.7 CFT	57.76 CBM

• Dimensions of the Flat Rack Shipping Container

Flat rack shipping containers are designed to transport goods that are heavy or large in size and do not fit into standard 20-foot or 40-foot containers.

These containers are made from metal sheets and fit a standard configuration of 20 or 40 feet. They have foldable sides and no roof, which facilitates loading from above and the sides. These features make flat rack containers suitable for transporting:

• Heavy or oversized cargo, such as construction equipment or heavy machinery. Often, a crane is needed to load equipment onto the container.
• Cargo that exceeds the height of standard 20-foot or 40-foot high cube containers, or irregular cargo such as industrial vehicles or pipes.

• Dimensions of the 20-Foot Flat Rack Shipping Container:

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the Flat Rack Shipping Container
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Interior dimensions in feet	8′	7′ 3 ⅞”	19′ 9 ¾”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.438 m	2.233 m	5.638 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	99,200 lbs	6,400 lbs	92,800 lbs
Weight in kg	45,000 kg	2,900 kg	42,100 kg
Load Capacity	1,154.3 CFT	32.7 CBM

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the 40-Foot Flat Rack Shipping Container
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	NA	NA
Door opening in meters	NA	NA
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 4″	7′ 5 ⅓”	39′ 3 ⅞”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.23 m	2.27 m	11.98 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	98,326 lbs	12,897 lbs	85,429 lbs
Weight in kg	44,600 kg	5,850 kg	38,750 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	1,860 CFT	52.7 CBM

• Dimensions of the Open Top Shipping Container

Open top containers, whether 20 feet or 40 feet, fall under the category of standard or dry containers, despite lacking a roof.

The type of cargo transported in open top containers is similar to that transported in flat rack containers but allows for greater heights, with sides tailored to the size of the container.

In this case, a crane is also necessary to facilitate the loading of cargo into the open top container, after which the container can be temporarily closed with a tarp.

The 20-foot open top container can accommodate a maximum load of approximately 28 tons, while the 40-foot container can hold around 30 tons.

When booking an open top shipping container, ensure that the lifting points for oversized or irregularly sized cargo are clearly defined to avoid damage and provide handling instructions to your shipping agent.

• Dimensions of the 20-Foot Open Top Container:

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the Open Top Shipping Container
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 8 ⅛”	7′ 6 ¼”
Door opening in meters	2.34 m	2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 8 ⅝”	7′ 10 ¼”	19′ 4 ¼”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.352 m	2.395 m	5.9 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	52,897 lbs	5,297 lbs	47,619 lbs
Weight in kg	23,994 kg	2,394 kg	21,600 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	1,172 CFT	33.2 CBM

Container Dimensions		Dimensions of the 40-Foot Open Top Container or Container Open Top 40 ft
Container Dimensions:	Width	Height	Length
Door opening in feet	7′ 8 ⅛”	7′ 6 ¼”
Door opening in meters	2.34 m	2.29 m
Interior dimensions in feet	7′ 8 ⅝”	7′ 10 ¼”	39′ 5 ⅝”
Interior dimensions in meters	2.352 m	2.395 m	12.01 m
Container Weight	Max Gross	Tare	Max Payload
Weight in lbs	67,196 lbs	8,487 lbs	58,709 lbs
Weight in kg	30,480 kg	3,850 kg	26,630 kg
Container Volume	In CFT	In CBM
Load Capacity	2,389.75 CFT	66.67 CBM

• Gas or Liquid Transport Container, or ISO Tank Container

ISO tank containers are specifically designed for transporting liquids or gases. They are more robust for securely holding oil or perishable liquids.

ISO tanks are considered safer and more cost-effective than OTR tank trucks.

• Dimensions of the 20-Foot Gas or Liquid Transport Container or ISO Tank 20ft:

Container Dimensions		Gas or Liquid Transport Container, or ISO Tank Container
Container Dimensions	Width	Height	Length
Exterior dimensions in feet	8′	8′ 6″	20″
Exterior dimensions in meters	2.43 m	2.59 m	6.09 m
Container Volume	In U.S. Gallons	In Liters
Load Capacity	6,450 gl	26,001 lt

How to Price or Book Standard or Refrigerated Shipping Containers and Others

You can search on our Bader for Shipping page or contact us via message or email, providing us with information about the shipment and specifying the pickup and delivery locations so we can serve you better. You can also reach out to your shipping agent to handle the matter.

It is preferable to provide a document, invoice, or packing list detailing the contents and dimensions of the shipment to facilitate your request. We will then provide you with the applicable fees and transport and clearance details.

“If you are interested in booking other types of shipping containers, please contact our sales representatives. “Call us.”