ISO Container Specifications
Comprehensive guide to shipping container types, dimensions, and capacities. Essential for cargo planning, logistics calculations, and optimizing your supply chain.
Shipping containers are categorized by their design and intended use. Dry Van containers, also known as General Purpose (GP) containers, are the most common type used in global trade. They feature weatherproof steel construction with doors at one end and are suitable for most types of cargo that don't require special handling. The 20' Standard and 40' Standard are the workhorses of international shipping, while 40' High Cube containers offer additional height for voluminous cargo. Refrigerated containers, or Reefers, are equipped with integrated refrigeration units that maintain precise temperature control throughout the journey. They're essential for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive chemicals. Open Top containers feature a removable canvas top, allowing top-loading of tall or heavy cargo using cranes. Flat Rack containers have no roof or side walls, just end walls, making them ideal for oversized items like heavy machinery and construction equipment. Tank containers combine a cylindrical vessel within an ISO frame for liquid and gas transport.
Standard unit for measuring container capacity. A 20' container = 1 TEU, a 40' container = 2 TEU. Used for port statistics and ship capacity.
Volume measurement for cargo. 1 CBM = 1m × 1m × 1m. Essential for calculating freight costs and container utilization.