What Are the Different Types of Shipping Containers That Exist Today?

The shipping industry has had unprecedented growth over the last few years, and that growth will only continue. Everyone, from businesses to consumers, relies on international shipping to some degree.

Despite this, few people think about the process of shipping something overseas. You order something, and eventually, it arrives. You probably don’t think about the shipping containers that brought it to you.

Shipping containers aren’t just big metal boxes. There are many types of shipping containers, each built to carry specific kinds of cargo.

Keep reading to learn more about the different kinds of shipping containers that help your goods get where they need to go.

Dry Storage Containers

When you picture cargo containers, you probably think of a dry storage container. They’re the most common type of shipping container in use today. They look like big metal rectangles.

Dry storage containers are between twenty and forty-five feet long. As the name implies, they’re perfect for transporting dry goods. They don’t have any special features–they’re simple metal crates that can hold a lot.

Open-Top and Open-Side Containers

Regular dry storage containers have metal ceilings, walls, and floors. This creates a fully sealed container. Cargo doesn’t always fit neatly into the container dimensions of a dry storage box.

If an item is unusually tall, it may need to go in an open-top container, which has no ceiling. Open-side containers don’t lack walls. They have doors that can open on the sides to make loading and unloading easier.

Refrigerated and Thermal Containers

The logistics industry handles all kinds of cargo, some of which must be kept at a specific temperature. Refrigerated ISO containers are used to transport meat and other items that have to stay frozen during transit.

Thermal containers serve a similar function. They’re built to withstand high temperatures. Many of them also have temperature controls, keeping the inside of the container warm or cool as needed.

Half-Height Containers

Half-height containers are ideal for heavy cargo like coal. Their container dimensions differ from dry storage containers. They’re just as long, but only half as tall.

These cargo containers are easy to load and unload. Their convenient size makes them easy to transport. A container moving service can treat half-height containers more or less the same as dry storage containers.

Specialty Containers

The shipping containers listed above cover most needs, but sometimes companies have to deal with more unusual cargo. For instance, tank containers are used to transport liquid.

High cube containers are like dry storage containers, but taller. Flat rack containers have collapsible sides. Many goods require custom-built containers that defy categorization altogether!

Understanding Shipping Containers

Shipping containers are an important part of the shipping industry. Without them, companies would have no way to move their goods efficiently. Now that you know about the different cargo container types, you can appreciate how useful they are.

As vital as shipping containers are, they’re only part of the process. There’s also a lot of advanced tech that goes into shipping and tracking your packages. Visit our technology blog to learn more about the latest tech!