Shipping containers are an integral part of global trade, serving as a means of transporting goods across borders and oceans. They come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate a wide range of cargo, and with each size change, the width also changes.
Have you ever wondered how wide shipping containers can be? This blog post will explore the different widths of shipping containers and their usage. So, let’s dive in and explore the dimensions of shipping containers.
Types of Shipping Containers & Their Dimensions
Storage shipping containers have made it possible to transport goods globally. These containers come in various shapes, sizes, and types, enabling safe transportation via ships, trucks, and trains. Different container types are available to cater to diverse customer needs, depending on the size, shape, and weight of their goods. Below are the various types of shipping containers and their dimensions.
Standard Dry Van Shipping Containers
These are the most common type of shipping containers utilized for transporting dry goods such as clothing, toys, and electronics. There are different sizes available for dry van storage containers. These sizes are 10 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft Standard, 40ft High Cube, and 45ft High Cube. The High Cube sizes have an additional one foot of height compared to the others.
- 10ft shipping container: This is the smallest type of dry van container available. It can carry a maximum weight of 11,600 pounds and has dimensions of 10ft in length, 8ft in width, and 8ft 6in height. It provides ample storage space for small and medium-sized items and is suitable for transporting goods on foot.
- 20ft shipping container: This is the most popular cargo transportation option, capable of carrying up to 33,000 lbs. It has standard measurements of 20 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet 6 inches in height, allowing it to hold approximately 10-12 standard pallets.
- 40ft shipping container: This container is ideal for large shipments with a total capacity of up to 45,000 lbs. Its dimensions are approximately 40 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet 6 inches in height. It can accommodate 25-30 standard pallets, making it an efficient choice for shipping high volumes.
- 40ft High Cube Containers: These storage containers are 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 9 feet 6 inches tall, making them one foot taller than 40ft containers and providing an extra 800 cubic feet of space.
- 45ft High cube Shipping Containers: High cube containers of this type are larger and have more storage space compared to regular containers. However, they may not be readily available as they are not as common. The 45ft High Cube Containers are especially useful for storing items that require additional vertical space.
Other Shipping Container Types
There are different types of shipping containers available in the market, each with unique features and uses. Here are some of the commonly used types:
Flat Rack Shipping Containers
Flat Rack shipping containers are great for moving big objects. They’re flat on the bottom and have walls that can be collapsed. You can use them to move things like boats, vehicles, and machinery. There are two sizes available for the flat rack container.
The first size is 40 ft long, 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 8 ft 2 inches high. The second size is smaller and has a length of 20 ft, a width of 6 ft 5 inches, and a height of 6 ft 1 inch. The smaller size is suitable for lighter loads.
Open-Top Shipping Containers
Open-top shipping containers do not have metal roofs that are suitable for carrying taller objects or items that may not fit in regular containers. To safeguard the merchandise during shipping, these containers frequently come with a tarp or another detachable covering.
Open-top containers typically come in two sizes: 20 feet long and 8 feet 6 inches wide by 7 feet 4 inches tall, and 40 feet long and 8 feet 6 inches wide by 8 feet 2 inches tall.
Refrigerated Shipping Containers
Reefers are shipping containers that are commonly used to transport temperature-sensitive goods and products like fresh or frozen foods and medicines. The dimensions for the 20 ft option are 20 ft in length, 8 ft 6 inches in width, and 7 ft 4 inches tall. The 40 ft option is 40 ft in length, 8 ft 6 inches in width, and 8 ft 2 inches tall.
Tank Shipping Containers
Tank shipping containers are designed for carrying large quantities of liquids, gases and powders, and are guaranteed to be watertight. They are available in two sizes: 20 ft (6.1 m) long, 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m) wide, and 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) tall and 40 ft (12.2 m) long, 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m) wide, and 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) tall.
Open Side Shipping Containers
Open side shipping containers feature cargo doors that open on the side, which facilitates the loading and unloading of large or heavy items that cannot fit through the end doors. They come in two versions: one is 20 feet long, 8 feet 6 inches wide, and 7 feet 4 inches tall, while the larger one is 40 feet long, 8 feet 6 inches wide, and 8 feet 2 inches tall.
Duo-Con Shipping Containers
Duo-con shipping containers have a double-door design that allows them to be opened from both sides. They measure 20 ft in length, 8 ft 6 inches in width, and 7 ft 4 inches in height.
Shipping Container Chassis
Shipping containers are transported using special trailers called chassis. The standard size for a chassis is 20 feet long, 8 feet 6 inches wide, and 9 feet 6 inches tall. Chassis variants are also available for 40 ft long containers, which are 8 ft 6 inches wide, and 9 ft 6 inches tall.
Compared to other modes of transportation, a shipping container chassis has the advantage of being able to transport multiple containers at once. This significantly reduces turnaround times.
Conclusion
In summary, shipping containers come in a range of widths, from the standard 8 feet wide, to extra-wide containers that can be as wide as 20 feet. When choosing a used shipping container, it’s important to consider not just the width, but also the height and length of the container, as well as its load capacity and other features. With the right container, you can transport your cargo safely and efficiently, no matter how wide or bulky it may be.
At On-Site Storage Solutions, we offer customers a wide range of shipping containers to choose from. Our network of approximately 60 depots across the United States and Canada ensures that we have the right container for you. You can either go to our website to receive a complimentary quote or dial (888) 405-8772 to begin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The standard width of a shipping container is 8 feet or 2.44 meters. This measurement is consistent across most shipping containers, including the commonly used 20-foot and 40-foot containers.
Yes, there are wider shipping containers available for specific purposes. One example is the High Cube container, which has the same length and height as a standard container but is 9.5 feet or 2.89 meters wide. These wider containers provide additional space for cargo that may have larger dimensions or require more room.
While the standard width of a shipping container is fixed, modifications can be made to customize the interior layout or functionality. For example, partitions, shelves, or racks can be installed to optimize the storage space within the container. However, altering the actual width of a shipping container is not a common practice.
Generally, the width of a shipping container remains consistent across different container types, including dry van containers, refrigerated containers, or open-top containers. However, it’s important to note that there may be slight variations in internal dimensions due to insulation or other features specific to certain container types.
The standard width of 8 feet was established to ensure compatibility with various modes of transportation, such as trucks, trains, and ships. This width allows for efficient stacking and handling of containers during transportation and storage. Additionally, the 8-foot width provides a balance between maximizing cargo space and complying with transportation regulations and restrictions.
