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ISO Container (eng.container, from contain - to contain) is a standardized multi-turn container designed for the transportation of goods by road, rail, sea and air transport and adapted for mechanized transshipment from one vehicle to another. It can be made of various materials and have a variety of shapes. In transport, the so-called universal containers have received the greatest use.

Containers became popular after the Second World War, in the United States first used wooden and then steel containers Container Express (abbreviated ConEx) measuring 6x6x6 feet. ConEx was widely used to transport military cargo, especially during the Korean War, howeverintermodalitynot used.

In the late 30s, American entrepreneur Malcolm McLean worked as a truck driver and stood on the pier watching the workers unload the car, pick up the bags and carry them one by one on board the ship, the whole process was very long and time-consuming. At that moment, the idea of how much easier and faster it would be to load everything at once, maybe directly from the truck, appeared. 19 years have passed from the idea to the implementation.

In the early 50s, McLean began to implement his plans, his transport company occupied the 5th place in the USA in terms of the size of its fleet, having 37 terminals. In addition, for $ 7 million, he acquired the shipping company Pan-Atlantic Steamship, represented in all the main ports of the east coast. A little later, Pan-Atlantic was renamed SeaLand, which reflected the combined nature of shipping by sea and by land in unified containers.

In the 1950s, Malcolm McLean and engineer Keith Tantlinger developed a system of modern intermodal containers. They proposed a comprehensive solution, invented not only a container, but also a container ship and an automobile container platform, but most importantly, created a complete functioning model of container transportation.

The first container transportation was carried out in April 1956. These experiments were so successful that they were later called the beginning of the container revolution.

In 1968-1970 , standards were introduced for containersISO. The external dimensions and maximum load capacity of containers are regulated by the ISO 668 standard. In 1972, the agreement "The International Convention for Safe Containers" came into force, according to which an information plate "CSC-Plate" is required on containers used in international transportation.

International standard ISO 6346 established The International Container Bureau, for the coding, identification and labeling of sea containers, requires that each container has an identification system. For the convenience of identifying containers in the ISO 6346:1995 standard, "group codes" were introduced, which consisted of two characters.

Each sea container has its own number, which consists of four capital letters(Prefix) The BIC code that identifies the owner of the container, and seven digits, the last of which is the control. Using this data, you can determine the owner and location of the container. 

What are the containers, their sizes and designations Collapse information about containers and group codes

The dimensions and capacity of the containers correspond to the carrying capacity and dimensions of the vehicles.

Containers with a height of 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in) with the designations DV (Dry Van) or DC (Dry Container) are considered standard (for example, 20' DC container).

There are containers with a height of 2.90 m, having the designation HC (High-Cube) or HQ (High-Quantity) (for example, 20' HC container). The most common containers are 20' and 40' (2.43 m wide), there are also PW containers (2.45 m wide).

AbbreviationsTEU(20' equivalent) andFIRE(40' equivalent), is a unit of measurement for loading container ships, terminals for unloading containers and freight railway stations.

  • GP (GENERAL PURPOSE) or DC (Dry Container) or DV (Dry Van) is a standard, general-purpose dry container, universal, without ventilation, designed for ordinary cargo, has a high cargo capacity, door spans of various types.
  • HC (HIGH CUBE) or HQ - a container increased in height (the height is increased by one foot in comparison with a standard container).
  • RE, RT, RS (REEFER), Reefer container is a refrigerated container, a refrigerator container connected to an electric power source for the operation of an integrated cooling unit, the surface of the container has improved thermal insulation, is suitable for cargo requiring refrigerated transportation conditions (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, etc.). The capabilities of the container include monitoring the atmosphere, humidity, equipped with sensors. Over freezing containers can coolcargoup to -60 C.
  • HI, HR - isolated.
  • VH is a general purpose container with ventilation with a non-mechanical ventilation system in the lower and upper parts of the cargo space.
  • OT (OPEN TOP)/Open Sider - a container with a tarpaulin opening roof or side grating is suitable for non-standard cargo sizes, equipped with movable roof arches, side grating and tarpaulin covering.
  • HT (HARD TOP) is a container with an opening metal roof (UT is a container with an open top).
  • UT - container with an open top
  • FT, PL, PF, PC, PS - (FLAT RACK) container or platform container, a special container for transporting heavy loads that need special handling (heavy technical structures and machines, machine tools, etc.)
  • ARTIFICIAL TWEENDECK - the platform is used for cargo that requires an extraordinary method of storage due to non-standard dimensions (special equipment, etc.).
  • TN, TG, TD (Tank) is a container tank for the transportation of liquids and gases.
  • BU, BK (BULK) - container for transportation of dry bulk cargo
  • PW (PALLETWIDE) - a container enlarged in width (242-245 cm; allows you to place two standard pallets of 120 cm side by side).
  • SN (Special) - a special purpose container: transportation of livestock, cars, live fish.
  • A 20-foot container can be loaded into one tier of 11 "euro pallets".
  • The 20-foot can be loaded into two tiers of 80 standard 200-liter barrels.
  • A 40-foot container can be loaded into one tier of 23 - 24 "euro pallets".
  • 1' foot is equal to 12" inches or 0.304 meters, denoted as - '

Tables with description, overall dimensions and container capacity


3-10 FOOT CONTAINERS20 FOOT CONTAINERS40 FOOT CONTAINERS

3' CONTAINER (GOST 8477-79)

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 2,100 m - 1,930 m 600 kg 5.16 m3 2,400 kg
Width 1,325 m 1,225 m 1,225 m
Height 2,400 m 2,090 m 2,128 m
Description
There is no description yet

5' CONTAINER (GOST 8477-79)

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 2,650 m - 2,515 m 960 kg 10.40 m3 4,960 kg
Width 2,100 m 2,504 m 1,920 m
Height 2,400 m 2,103 m 2,128 m
Description
A cargo container for international (as well as domestic) transportation is understood as a unit of reusable transport equipment. The design of the cargo container ensures the safe transportation of goods by one or more modes of transport, which is achieved by sufficient strength of the container during the specified service life.

10' HC CONTAINER

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 2,991 m - 2,843-m 1380 kg 15.9 m3 10,800 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,582 m 2,352 m
Height 2.896 m 2,335 m 2,698 m
Description

Description of the 10' container

20' STANDARD CONTAINER(20' GP)

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 6,058 m - 5,898 m 2220 kg

33.2 m3

21,920 kg

* 28,262 kg

Width 2,438 m 2,340 m 2,352 m
Height 2,591 m 2,280 m 2,393 m
Description

A 20-foot container designed for general cargo transportation. Transportation of goods with a large specific gravity is preferable.

20' CONTAINER OF INCREASED VOLUME(20' HC)

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 6,058 m - 5,898 m 2340 kg

37.5 m3

28 140 kg

Width 2,438 m 2,340 m 2,352 m
Height 2.896 m 2,585 m 2,698 m
Description

a 20-foot container of increased volume (due to a higher height) intended for the transportation of general cargo. Transportation of goods with a large specific gravity is preferable.

20' REFRIGERATED CONTAINER(20' RE)

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 6,096 m - 5,455 m 3050 kg 28 m3 23,950 kg
Width 2,370 m 2,237 m 2,260 m
Height 2,591 m 2,260 m 2,275 m
Description

A 20-foot refrigerated container for the transportation of sensitive and perishable goods with a total weight of no more than 23.5 tons.

20' OPEN CONTAINER(20'S)

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 6,096 m - 5,902 m 2440 kg 32 m3 21,560 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,335 m 2,240 m
Height 2,591 m 2,240 m 2,352 m
Description

20-foot special container, similar to the universal container 20'GP (load capacity up to 28 tons). Vertical loading through the roof is possible. After loading, the top of the container is closed with a tarpaulin awning.

20' CONTAINER PLATFORM (Flat Rack) / FOLDING PLATFORM (Collapsible FlatRack)(20' FT )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 6,058 m - 6,038 m 2800 kg - m3 31200 kg
Width 2,438 m - 2,194 m
Height 2.591 m / 0.370 m - 2.226 m
Description

A 20-foot container platform is a platform with fixed (FIXED ENDS) or COLLAPSIBLE (COLLAPSIBLE) end panels, without longitudinal side walls, used for the transportation of large oversized cargo, heavy objects, such as cars, boats, lumber, pipes, machine parts and equipment, which must be shipped as a whole and can be loaded from above or from the sides with the need to attach these loads from either side.

A 20-foot special platform container, similar in external dimensions to a 20'GP container, the size and capacity of containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer and its age. The structure of the 20-foot platform container is made of a steel frame and two end walls, which can be either fixed or folding. The end walls are stable enough so that it is possible to attach lifting devices and lay several platforms on top of each other. The stacking height of 7 layers in height with a load of 34 tons is allowed.

There are mounting rings on the platform to which the load can be attached, they are mounted on the side rails of the corner posts and the floor. The mounting rings can withstand a load of up to 2 tons in a 20’ version. Some types of platforms have pockets with a height of 120 mm and a width of 360 mm with centers of location of 2050 mm, for transportation by forklifts.

There are several different types of container platforms.

FIXED ENDS FLAT RACK -The platform container with fixed panels has fixed ends on the short sides, so these containers can withstand a greater upper load, since the fixed ends have a more robust construction.

COLLAPSIBLE FLAT RACK -The container platform with folding end panels is distinguished by the possibility of folding the end walls so that an empty container can be delivered more efficiently, while four folded platforms occupy the space of just one ordinary dry container.

20' TANK container (Tank container)(20' TN )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 5940 m -   4200 kg 24 m3 31800 kg
Width 2350 m -  
Height 2350 m -  
Description

A 20-foot tank container or tank container is a multimodal transport unit, structurally representing a reinforced frame that complies with ISO standards, in which a tank for food or non-food products made of high-quality stainless steel is mounted, resistant to the effects of transported products and does not affect them. The frame can have slots for fork-type loaders, the container itself can be operated in the ranges from -50 ° C to +70 °C on sea, river, rail or road transport.
The tank container is intended for transportation:

  • Food products, alcohol-containing liquids (beer, wine, cognac, vodka), edible oils, food additives, concentrated fruit juices, mineral waters, milk, etc.
  • Industrial products: petroleum and petroleum products, oils and lubricants, chemicals, paints, salt solutions, fatty acids, granular and bulk substances, liquefied gases, etc.

During transportation, the tank capacity of the container should be taken into account: it should not be less than 80%, so that there is no splashing, leading to displacement of the container, and above 95%, to take into account the possibility of thermal expansion.

Tank containers are very effective in multimodal transportation using several modes of transport (automobile, railway, water transport). Since a 20-foot container is taken as the base module, the tank container is easily reloaded from transport to transport without transshipment or distillation at filling terminals, unlike railway and tanker trucks.

The use of tank containers makes it possible to optimize logistics operations for transportation due to the lower cost of the railway tariff compared to transportation in tank cars. Tank containers hold 60% more transported product, occupying the same space and having the same cost of transportation in comparison with the transportation of liquid of the same volume in barrels.

A standard 20-foot tank container has a volume from 14,000 liters to 26,000 liters. The most used - 26, 25, 24 thousand liters. For heavy liquids - 21,000 liters and less often 17,500 liters.
Swap containers have an increased volume - from 30,000 to 36,000 liters. Swap containers have a standard 20-ft. frame, width and height. Depending on the volume, the length can be - 7.15 m, 7.45 m or 7.82 m (not used for transporting goods by rail due to non-standard dimensions).
Gas tank containers usually have a volume of 24,000 liters, pressure from 15 to 34.5 bar.

The old system was previously used for classification (IMO-0, IMO-1, IMO-2, gas IMO-5). At the moment, according to the Portable Tank Instruction, a system of T-codes from T1 to T75 is used.
The most common codes:

  • T1 - for wine and light liquids
  • T4 - operating pressure 1.77 bar (for non-hazardous edible and non-edible oils)
  • T11 - operating pressure 4 bar, lower discharge (for non-hazardous chemicals)
  • T12 - the presence of a bursting membrane
  • T14 - working pressure 4 bar, top discharge (for hazardous chemicals and acids like HCl and zinc chloride)
  • T50 - gas tank containers
  • T75 - for cryogenic liquids

The main design of tank containers: with thermal insulation / or without, with a steam jacket for heating with steam or hot water / or without. Tank containers are manufactured under the control of International Classification Societies: Bureau Veritas, ABS, Lloyd's Register, Det Norske Veritas, SGS, Germanyscher Lloyd, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. For the transportation of tank containers by the Russian railway, it is necessary to have a certificate of inspection of the Russian Register.

40' STANDARD CONTAINER (Dry Freight Container)(40' GP )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 12,192 m - 12.032 m 3660 kg

67.7 m3

26,820 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,280 m 2,352 m
Height 2,591 m 2,340 m 2,393 m
Description

A 40-foot universal container for general cargo transportation with a total weight of no more than 26.5 tons. It is preferable to transport bulk cargo with a low specific gravity.

40' CONTAINER OF INCREASED VOLUME (High Cube Container)(40' HC )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 12,192 m - 12.032 m 3940 kg

76.4 m3

26,640 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,340 m 2,352 m
Height 2.896 m 2,585 m 2,698 m
Description

A 40-foot universal container of increased volume (due to a higher height) for the transportation of general cargo with a total weight of no more than 26.5 tons. It is preferable to transport bulk cargo with a low specific gravity.

40' REFRIGERATED CONTAINER (Reefer Container)(40' RE )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 12,192 m - 12.028 m 3800 kg 65.9 m3 30 480 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,340 m 2,350 m
Height 2,591 m 2,280 m 2,351 m
Description

The 40-foot refrigerated container is designed for the transportation of regime and perishable goods with a total weight of no more than 29 tons.

40' REFRIGERATED CONTAINER OF INCREASED VOLUME (High Cube Reefer Container)(40' RT )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 12,192 m - 11.585 m 4370 kg 67.5 m3 26 280 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,290 m 2,290 m
Height 2.896 m 2,510 m 2,545 m
Description

A 40-foot refrigerated container of increased capacity is designed for the transportation of regime and perishable goods with a total weight of no more than 29 tons.

45' REFRIGERATED CONTAINER OF INCREASED VOLUME (High Cube Reefer Container)(45' RT )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 13.716 m - 13,556 m 4800 kg

86.1 m3

25,680 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,343 m 2,352 m
Height 2.896 m 2,585 m 2,698 m
Description

45-foot universal container of increased volume (due to greater height and width) for the transportation of long and bulky cargo with a total weight of no more than 29.5 tons. Allows you to place 2 europalets (1200 mm)

40' OPEN CONTAINER (40' Open Top)(40'S )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 12,192 m - 12.028 m 3800 kg 65.9 m3 30 480 kg
Width 2,438 m 2,340 m 2,350 m
Height 2,591 m 2,280 m 2,351 m
Description

A special container similar to the universal 40'GP container (carrying capacity up to 26.5 tons). Vertical loading through the roof is possible. After loading, the top of the container is closed with a tarpaulin awning.

40' CONTAINER PLATFORM (Flat Rack) / FOLDING PLATFORM (Collapsible FlatRack)(40' FT )

Specifications
  External dimensions Door Dimensions Internal dimensions Empty container weight Internal volume Payload weight
Length 12,192 m - 12,180 m  4200 kg - m3 26 280 kg
Width 2,438 m  2.225 m
Height 2,591 m  1,955 m
Description

A 40-foot container platform is a platform with fixed (FIXED ENDS) or COLLAPSIBLE (COLLAPSIBLE) end panels, without longitudinal side walls, used for the transportation of large oversized cargo, heavy objects, such as cars, boats, lumber, pipes, machine parts and equipment, which must be shipped as a whole and can be loaded from above or from the sides with the need to attach these loads from either side.

The size and capacity of containers may vary depending on the manufacturer of the platform and its age. The structure of the 40-foot platform container is made of a steel frame and two end walls, which can be either fixed or folding. The end walls are stable enough so that it is possible to attach lifting devices and lay several platforms on top of each other. The stacking height of 7 layers in height is allowed.

There are mounting rings on the platform to which the load can be attached, they are mounted on the side rails of the corner posts and the floor. Some types of platforms have pockets with a height of 120 mm and a width of 360 mm with centers of location of 2050 mm, for transportation by forklifts.

There are several different types of container platforms.

FIXED ENDS FLAT RACK -The platform container with fixed panels has fixed ends on the short sides, so these containers can withstand a greater upper load, since the fixed ends have a more robust construction.

COLLAPSIBLE FLAT RACK -The container platform with folding end panels is distinguished by the possibility of folding the end walls so that an empty container can be delivered more efficiently, while four folded platforms occupy the space of just one ordinary dry container.

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