What’s a Standard Shipping Container? Types, Sizes & FAQs Explained

Pelican Containers has put together a blog that will help you learn everything about standard shipping containers and find the best spot to secure them at unbeatable prices.

What’s a Standard Shipping Container?

The most commonly used container for transporting goods is a standard shipping container. These robust containers, constructed from premium aluminum or steel, comply with ISO container standards and ensure the safe conveyance of your cargo. Bad weather and rough seas aren’t a problem for them due to their toughness and weather resistance.

Their affordability compared to alternatives is a reason why they are a preferred choice within the shipping industry. The second-hand market is also currently flooded with standard containers, available in different conditions like cargo-worthy, wind and watertight (WWT), and as-is.

These containers conform to the guidelines created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a globally recognized institution that creates and disseminates technical and industrial standards.

It’s clear that container standardization has an impact on the shipping industry, but what led to the standardization? Keep reading to discover the history behind it.

History of the Standard Shipping Containers

Handling freight used to be a manual and chaotic process before containers became standardized. Goods would be picked up from a factory, loaded onto a vessel, moved to a warehouse, and then transported to another vessel by many workers. As you can guess, this resulted in significant coordination problems, prolonged delays, and inefficiencies.

By the late 18th century, things began to change when people in England started using shipping containers for rail and horse-drawn transportation. During WWII, the U.S. Army employed these containers to store supplies.

Malcolm McLean, an American businessman, introduced the modern standard-size container in 1956 and it was a great change. He developed the perfect container for easy transportation across borders after tweaking various designs.

Standardizing containers brought about a revolution in the global shipping industry. 

How did Standardized Containers Improve Shipping? 

The introduction of standardized containers has enabled logistics, manufacturing, and shipping companies worldwide to collaborate, and it has reduced loading times by an incredible three weeks.

The uniform dimensions of these containers have made processes more efficient at all stages. As an example, stacking containers with standardized sizes has had a significant reduction in handling time and increased cargo capacity.

Std container size determines how much cargo they can hold. 

Standard Shipping Container Dimensions

Standard ISO dry containers have a capacity that varies based on their size. The size of the ISO container is 7.8 feet (2.3 meters) wide, 7.9 feet (2.3 meters) high, and can be either 20 feet (5.9 meters) or 40 feet (12.03 meters). These containers are commonly employed to transport dry goods, such as machinery, grains, paper, and electronics.

If you require more space, you can choose a 40-foot HC (high cube) or a 45-foot HC container. They provide more height and are suitable for transporting larger volumes of cargo.

Want to know more about standard ISO container dimensions? Check out our next section for more detailed information.

Types of Standard Shipping Containers

Standard containers come in various sizes, so knowing their differences can help you select the appropriate one based on your cargo needs. 

20ft Standard Shipping Container

20ft is the standard container size for shipping of most dry cargo, such as grains, paper, raw materials, and clothing. It has the capacity to hold 11 Euro pallets (1.2m x 0.8m) and 10 North American standard pallets (1.016m x 1.219m) in one tier.

The smaller dimensions of this standard-size container make it easier to load and unload from ships and use at ports with no need for advanced lifting equipment. If your cargo is moderately sized, 20ft container standard dimensions are an excellent option.

20ft Standard Container Dimensions

Refer to the table below to gain a better grasp of the dimensions and size of a standard container.

The fact that 20ft standard containers are widely available means they are relatively affordable. Pelican Containers provides some of the best prices for a wide range of 20ft shipping containers.

40ft Standard Shipping Container

The 40ft container is twice as big as a 20ft container. It is also called a forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) and can hold either 23–24 Euro pallets in one tier or 20-21 standard pallets in one tier.

If your cargo is bigger than a 20ft container, this container is perfect. In addition, choosing one 40ft container is more cost-effective than choosing two 20ft containers.

40ft Standard Container Dimensions

The standard 40ft ISO container dimensions can be better understood with the table below.

Additional details about the 40ft container dimensions standard are available in the Pelican Containers’ online product catalog.

High Cube Standard Shipping Container

There are two sizes of high cube containers: 40ft high cube and 45ft high cube. Although they are similar to 40ft containers in structure, they have an extra height that allows your cargo to take up more space. High cube containers are the ideal solution for cargo that cannot fit in a 20ft or 40ft container.

As previously mentioned, selecting a high-cube container is more cost-efficient than selecting multiple shorter containers. This enables you to pack all your cargo into one container and save money on vessel slots.

40ft and 45ft High Cube Standard Shipping Container Dimensions

Check out the table below to understand the dimensions for 40ft and 45ft HC containers.

We have talked about standard containers, but there are also specialized containers that you can learn more about below.

Standard Dimensions of Special Containers

Special containers are utilized for the transportation of specific cargo, as each container is tailored to carry a particular type of load. For example, open-top or flat rack containers are used for shipping large machinery that cannot fit in a standard container.

Below, you’ll discover additional container types and dimensions, as well as the cargo types they are most suitable for.

Reefer Container Dimensions

Reefer containers are used to transport cargo that needs to be kept at a temperature of 30 to -30 degrees Celsius. For the transportation of meat, fruits, dairy, or vegetables, a reefer container is a superior option over a standard container.

The ISO container dimensions of a reefer are as follows.

Refrigeration units are built into these containers and require electrical power points on a container ship, which are supported by the vessel’s generator. Reefers also use diesel-powered generators when on the road. This requirement makes reefers more expensive. However, Pelican Containers offers competitive prices for them.

Open-top Container Dimensions

Open-top containers have no roof and can either be covered with a tarpaulin sheet or left open if necessary. These containers make it easy to transport oversized or bulky cargo that can’t be loaded through the door or fit inside a regular container.

Open-top containers can be loaded with cargo using a crane or a rolling bridge, depending on the size and weight of the cargo. The table below contains their measurements, as they are available in three sizes: 20 feet, 40 feet, and 40 feet.

Pelican Containers’ product catalog is where you can find open-top containers for transporting bulky cargo.

Side Door Container Dimensions

If your cargo can’t fit through the end doors, side-door containers are the right choice because their doors are on the longer side of the container.

Side door containers make loading and unloading cargo easier for workers by providing more access through the side doors. These containers come in three sizes, as shown in the table below.

After learning about both the standard size of containers and the dimensions of specialized containers, let’s discover how to buy them at the best prices from Pelican Containers.

Buy Standard Shipping Containers at Pelicancontainers 

Standard containers are commonly used to transport the majority of cargo, but there’s a chance you’ll pay more than the market price because of the industry’s lack of transparency.

If you want the most affordable and transparent prices for both standard and specialized containers, then it’s best to buy from Pelican Containers. We offer competitive pricing and a wide selection of containers to fit your needs.

To purchase containers from Pelican Containers, visit our website and explore our wide-ranging stock that includes standard, reefer, open-top, side door containers, and more. Each product listing contains certain specifications and dimensions.

To get pricing information, click on the “Get a quote” button on the container page and provide all the necessary details, including your contact information and specific requirements. If you prefer, you can get in touch with our sales team directly through the contact form or phone number listed to receive personalized assistance and discuss your needs in detail.

Once you have received the quote and are satisfied with the price, proceed to place an order with the sales team’s assistance. After making the purchase, coordinate with our team to arrange for the delivery of your container to the location you want.

Standard Shipping Container: Common FAQs

You may be interested in some frequently asked questions about standard shipping containers.

What is a Standardized Container?

Standardized containers are the most common and basic type of freight container used for shipping cargo and are based on ISO standards.

What is the Standard Shipping Container’s Size?

Std container size is not uniform, but the 20ft and 40ft containers are 8ft wide externally.

Who was Responsible for the Standardization of Containers?

The modern standard shipping container, as we know it today, was manufactured by Malcolm McLean, an American businessman. He created the perfect container to make transportation effortless.