An easy way to identify different cargo container types is by their colour., as Each conveys a different meaning. For instance, colours can indicate if a container is for one-time use, or for round trips. The colour of dry cargo containers can also help identify the type of cargo being transported. For example, white containers are commonly used for reefer cargo, red for hazardous materials, and grey for military or government equipment. Additionally, colours often reflect brand identity: for example, MSC containers are yellow.

Half Height Containers

In some instances, there may be benefits to shipping using a different type of dry shipping container. For example, for businesses needing to ship goods like coal or stones, it could be worthwhile using a half-height container. Made primarily from steel these containers are half the full-sized 20ft or 40ft container dimensions. Because of this, this makes it easier to load and unload certain types of cargo.

Check with your carrier about the availability of half-height containers.

Double Door and Tunnel Containers

Designed to aid loading and unloading materials by creating a wider space, double- door containers are made using materials such as steel or iron and come in standard sizes of 20 and 40ft.

Similarly, tunnel containers are a type of dry freight container that have doors at both ends of the container, helping to load and unload materials quickly.

Open Side and Open Top Containers

Using an open top or convertible container means that materials of any height can be shipped quickly. This is vital for businesses involved in industries such as building or construction where heavy machinery and equipment, such as excavators and cranes can be shipped quickly and easily.

Similarly, open side storage containers have doors that can change into open sides, providing a much wider room for loading materials such as industry machinery.

Flat Rack Containers

Also known as collapsible flat rack containers, this type of container has sides which can be folded to make a flat rack. This makes them highly beneficial as they can be used to ship a variety of goods including forestry products, beams, pipes, and sheet metal coils which have different dimensions and weights.

While there might be slight differences in these containers depending on the manufacturer, at MSC our standard dry cargo containers are specified in the following way:

These containers are standardised by ISO as suitable for multiple transportation methods including truck, rail, or ship and are used to transport a variety of commodities such as automotive, agricultural, and retail products as well as grains and construction materials that do not need refrigeration.

The load carrying capacity of intermodal dry freight 20ft long container with a breadth of 8ft can hold within itself. Understanding the carrying capacity of intermodal containers using TEUs is essential for compatibility, optimizing cargo handling, and enhancing the efficiency of logistics and transportation systems.