A special container is a type of shipping container designed for
transporting goods that cannot be easily accommodated by standard
containers due to their size, shape, or specific handling requirements.

These containers are engineered to handle unique types of cargo, often
involving oversized, heavy, or delicate items, or materials that require
particular conditions during transport. Here’s a breakdown of some
common types of special containers:

 

1. Flat Rack Containers

Description: Flat rack containers have collapsible sides, and some
models have no sides at all. This makes them ideal for transporting
oversized goods such as machinery, vehicles, and construction materials
that exceed the dimensions of standard containers.

Common Uses:
Flat Rack containers are used for items that are oversized or
irregularly shaped, making them unsuitable for standard containers.

• Heavy machinery (e.g., bulldozers, excavators)
  Trucks and vehicles (especially oversized or special vehicles)
  Industrial boilers
  Large steel coils and pipes
  Wind turbine components
  Construction equipment (e.g., cranes, loaders)
  Boats and yachts
  Timber and large logs
  Transformers and large electrical equipment
  Prefabricated building sections (e.g., walls, roofs)

Dimensions:

Flat Rack Container Size	Internal Length (mm)	Internal Width (mm)	Internal Height (mm)	Max Gross Weight (kg)	Tare Weight (kg)	Max Payload (kg)
20ft Flat Rack	5,940	2,350	2,330	34,000	2,700	31,300
40ft Flat Rack	11,720	2,440	1,955	45,000	5,920	39,080
40ft High Cube Flat Rack	11,650	2,400	2,120	45,000	5,920	39,080

2. Open Top Containers

• Description: Open top containers have a removable or soft top cover instead of a solid roof. This design allows for easy loading and unloading of heavy or tall cargo using a crane.

Open Top containers allow loading from the top, making them ideal for heavy or tall cargo.

• Construction machinery (e.g., excavators, cranes)
• Large stone blocks or marble
• Steel rods and rebar
• Tall industrial equipment
• Scrap metal
• Heavy mining equipment
• Logs and timber
• Glass sheets
• Pipes and tubes
• Large sculptures or art installations

Dimensions:

Open Top Container Size	Internal Length (mm)	Internal Width (mm)	Internal Height (mm)	Max Gross Weight (kg)	Tare Weight (kg)	Max Payload (kg)
20ft Open Top	5,898	2,350	2,348	30,480	2,300	28,180
40ft Open Top	12,032	2,352	2,395	32,500	3,980	28,520

 

Platform (or Flatbed) Containers

• Description: Platform containers are essentially a reinforced base without sides or a roof, providing maximum flexibility for loading and transporting oversized cargo that cannot fit into any enclosed container.

Platform containers provide a base for oversized cargo that cannot fit inside any standard container.

• Large vehicles (e.g., buses, trains)
• Industrial machinery
• Construction equipment (e.g., cranes, bulldozers)
• Prefabricated construction units
• Oversized generators
• Oil and gas drilling equipment
• Wind turbine blades
• Aircraft parts
• Railway tracks
• Industrial tanks

Dimensions:

Platform Container Size	Length (mm)	Width (mm)	Max Gross Weight (kg)	Tare Weight (kg)	Max Payload (kg)
20ft Platform	6,058	2,438	34,000	2,740	31,260
40ft Platform	12,192	2,438	45,000	5,000	40,000

4. Refrigerated Containers (Reefer Containers)

• Description: Reefer containers are equipped with a refrigeration unit to maintain a specific temperature range. They are used for transporting perishable goods that need to be kept cool or frozen.

Reefer containers are used to transport perishable goods that need to be kept at specific temperatures.

• Fresh fruits (e.g., bananas, apples)
• Vegetables (e.g., lettuce, carrots)
• Frozen seafood (e.g., fish, shrimp)
• Dairy products (e.g., milk, cheese)
• Pharmaceuticals (e.g., vaccines, medicines)
• Ice cream
• Meat and poultry
• Frozen prepared meals
• Flowers and plants
• Specialty chemicals that require controlled temperatures

Dimensions:

Reefer Container Size	Internal Length (mm)	Internal Width (mm)	Internal Height (mm)	Max Gross Weight (kg)	Tare Weight (kg)	Max Payload (kg)
20ft Reefer	5,450	2,294	2,273	30,480	3,080	27,400
40ft High Cube Reefer	11,550	2,294	2,557	34,000	4,800	29,200

5. Insulated Containers

• Description: These containers have insulated walls but no refrigeration unit. They maintain the temperature of the cargo over a short period and are used when slight variations in temperature can be tolerated.

Insulated containers maintain a steady temperature and are used when temperature fluctuations must be minimized but refrigeration isn’t required.

• Chocolate and confectionery
• Wine and alcoholic beverages
• Dairy products (e.g., yogurt, butter)
• Chemicals sensitive to temperature changes
• Fresh produce that needs steady cool conditions
• Medical supplies that require temperature control
• Temperature-sensitive cosmetics
• Fine art pieces during transport
• Some electronics components
• Food ingredients like butter or margarine

Dimensions:

Insulated Container Size	Internal Length (mm)	Internal Width (mm)	Internal Height (mm)	Max Gross Weight (kg)	Tare Weight (kg)	Max Payload (kg)
20ft Insulated	5,450	2,294	2,273	30,480	3,080	27,400
40ft High Cube Insulated	11,550	2,294	2,557	34,000	4,800	29,200

6. Tank Containers

• Description: Tank containers are cylindrical vessels mounted within a standard container frame, used for transporting liquids, gases, and bulk materials. They are typically made from stainless steel and are often used for hazardous substances.

Tank containers are specialized for transporting liquids, gases, and bulk materials.

• Chemical liquids (e.g., acids, solvents)
• Food-grade liquids (e.g., edible oils, fruit juices)
• Petroleum products (e.g., gasoline, diesel)
• Alcohol (e.g., wine, spirits)
• Liquid gases (e.g., LPG, LNG)
• Industrial chemicals (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, methanol)
• Pharmaceutical liquids
• Water for emergency relief operations
• Cleaning agents (e.g., detergents, sanitizers)
• Molten materials (e.g., molten sulfur)

Dimensions:

Tank Container Size	Capacity (Liters)	Max Gross Weight (kg)	Tare Weight (kg)	Max Payload (kg)	Frame Length (mm)	Frame Width (mm)	Frame Height (mm)
20ft Tank	24,000 – 26,000	36,000	3,800	32,200	6,058	2,438	2,591

7. Ventilated Containers

• Description: These containers are designed with ventilation holes to allow for the circulation of air. They are used for cargo that needs to breathe or requires ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.

Ventilated containers are used for cargo that requires airflow to prevent moisture build-up.

• Coffee beans
• Cocoa beans
• Spices (e.g., pepper, cinnamon)
• Dried fruits (e.g., raisins, apricots)
• Tobacco
• Fresh garlic and onions
• Nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
• Tea leaves
• Wooden products (e.g., furniture, lumber)
• Seeds and grains

8. Bulk Containers

• Description: Bulk containers are used for transporting bulk materials such as grains, chemicals, or minerals. They often have openings for easy filling and emptying of loose goods.

Bulk containers are designed to carry loose materials that are poured into the container.

• Grain (e.g., wheat, corn)
• Sugar
• Cement powder
• Salt
• Fertilizers
• Plastic granules
• Animal feed
• Coffee beans
• Rice
• Sand and gravel

9. Half-Height Containers

• Description: These containers are half the height of standard containers and are used for heavy but low-volume cargo.
• Usage: Heavy mining materials, dense construction materials.

10. High Cube Containers

• Description: High cube containers are taller than standard containers, providing extra interior space for cargo that needs more height clearance.
• Usage: Bulky or lightweight goods that require more volume.