7 Most common types of shipping containers used for international trade

 Shipping container types for International trade

Cargo World Link Ships containers from UK to most world destinations. Cargo container shipping is the commonest method of shipping cargo around the world. The international shipping industry is responsible for the carriage of around 90% of world trade. 70% of world cargo is transported in containers by sea. Shipping is the life blood of the global economy. Without shipping, intercontinental trade, the bulk transport of raw materials, and the import/export of affordable food and manufactured goods would simply not be possible. Container units form the most integral part of the entire shipping industry, trade, and transport. These shipping containers are the structures that store various kinds of products that need to be shipped from one part of the world to another. Selecting the appropriate shipping method is a vital part of the international trade process. To make the entire process a little easier, the following are the 16 shipping container types most commonly used.

These container units protect their contents during the journey from one port of entry to another. To accommodate the many types of products shipped and the special care they may need, there are a number of different shipping container types which vary in size, material, structure, and construction.

The 7 Most Common Shipping Container Types

1. Dry Containers
   Dry Containers are available in sizes of 10, 20, and 40 feet. They are the most commonly used type of container. They are used to transport general cargo.

Below are the specifications for the most commonly used dry cargo container types. This is provided as general information only and is not a shipping guideline. Specific dimensions and cargo handling capacity of a particular unit should be verified with the company that provides the container.

Dry Cargo Containers and their dimensions

* General description – dimensions vary by specific units.

2. Flat Rack Containers
Flat Rack containers have sides that can be folded down to accommodate heavy loads, over-sized cargo, construction equipment, building supplies, or heavy machinery

3. Open Top Containers
Open Top containers have a completely removable, convertible top that allows for access to goods from the top of the container and is primarily used for over-height cargo.

4.Tunnel Container
Tunnel containers are similar to a dry goods container. However due to having openings on both ends, this container type makes loading and unloading easier

5. Side Open Storage Container
Side open storage containers open on the side (as opposed to the ends) to facilitate specific loading and unloading needs, such as specific types of vehicles.

6. Refrigerated ISO Containers
Refrigerated ISO Containers (also called reefer containers) regulate the temperature to preserve temperature sensitive goods such as fruit, meat, fish, vegetables, and dairy products or seafood. However, be aware that if you are shipping temperature sensitive items, spoilage will only be covered if there was mechanical failure of the reefer container for an extended period of time.The term ‘reefer’ is used in shipping to refer to refrigerated ships and refrigerated shipping containers that transport perishable commodities by sea.

These containers are nearly always twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) — the standard size for cargo containers loaded by containerships.

The additional insulation and the power plant results in a 40-foot reefer costing around six times more than a regular container.

Because reefer containers are self-contained refrigerated units, they are often able to bypass cold storage on arrival at a destination.

7. Insulated or Thermal Containers
Insulated or thermal containers come with a regulated temperature control which allows them to withstand a higher temperature. They are most suitable for long distance transportation of products.