CONTAINERS: TYPES, DIMENSIONS AND USES

CONTAINERS FOR INTERMODAL SHIPPING

General Cargo Container

Refrigerated Container

This is the most frequently used container for loading general dry goods that have been packaged using pallets, boxes, barrels, etc. These are watertight and fully enclosed, with solid floors, ceilings, and side and end walls. They have doors at one end, which are used for loading goods by forklift or pallet truck. These containers are made of steel.

A thermal container, built of aluminium or aluminium and stainless steel, able to keep the goods being transported at a temperature as low as –30 ºC. These have a self-contained refrigeration unit to allow the desired temperature to be maintained, which can be connected to the ship, transport vehicle, or terminal to obtain the power supply source that the unit needs to function. Some refrigerated containers also can control the humidity level in the interior. These are ideal for transporting perishable goods: meat, fruit, etc.

Open Top Container

A container that lacks a solid top, which allows cargo to be loaded using cranes. These can be covered with a flexible, removable cover, such as a reinforced plastic tarpaulin. A removable, rigid metal top can also be used. This container is made of steel and may have doors in the front or side panels. These are especially useful for large-sized cargo items such as sheets of glass or marble, construction materials, lumber, or high-volume machinery. These containers are made of steel.

Flat Rack Container

A container made from a platform without any other superstructure attached. This type is used when the characteristics of the elements being transported do not allow them to fit into any other type of container. They are especially suitable for heavy or high-volume elements, such as machinery, cables, storage drums, cable reels, steel sheets, heavy vehicles, or forest products. These containers are made of steel.

Open Side Container

When the goods that must be loaded are long and are difficult to handle using the end doors, a container open on one or both sides can be used to facilitate handling. These are especially suitable for loading and unloading at railway stations. These are made of steel.

Tank Container

This type is used to transport bulk liquids in general (oil, plastics, resins, latex, milk, beer, wine, mineral water, etc.), as well as certain hazardous substances such as toxic, corrosive, or highly flammable liquids. This type consists of an aluminium or stainless steel tank attached to a frame or support structure along with the necessary accessories (corner brackets, etc.) for securing them to the anchoring points on ships, trucks, or train cars, or else for being stacked on top of another container.

NB: Dimensions are expressed in millimetres (mm), capacities in cubic meters (m3), and weights in kilograms (kg). The red loading line on the interior of the container’s side wall indicates the maximum permissible load height.