From the appearance of the first units in the 50s to the present day, a great variety of maritime and multimodal containers have emerged as a response from the logistics chain to ensure the correct handling of loads. Important points to keep in mind:

-The size and weight of the load

-The solid or liquid nature of the cargo

-The degree of standardization of the cargo

-The type of crane and spreader required for that cargo

Types of containers

1. Dry storage container
2. Flat rack container
3. Open top container
4. Open side storage container
5. Refrigerated ISO containers
6. ISO Tanks
7. Half height containers
8. Special purpose containers

1. Dry storage container

Dry storage containers are the most common containers used in the shipping industry. They come in lengths of 20, 40 and 45 feet, and they are designed to transport dry goods. These containers do not allow for temperature controls, so they are not suited for moving food or chemicals that require refrigeration. There are about seventeen million intermodal containers in the world, and a large proportion of the world’s long-distance freight generated by international trade is transported in shipping containers. Their invention made a major contribution to the globalization of commerce in the second half of the 20th century, dramatically reducing the cost of transporting goods and hence of long-distance trade.

This type of container is handled by Spreaders. There is a very wide variety of spreaders according to the number of cycles and to the type of cranes to be used. if you need more info please visit containespreaders.com

2. Flat rack container

A flat rack container has no top and only two sides. This makes room for heavy loads to be set the rack from above or from the side. Most flat rack containers are either 20 or 40 feet long, and they are made from steel for strength and durability. Some flat rack containers are collapsible, and some come with additional walls that can be attached to the frame.

This type of equipment is handled by Overheight Frames. Visit ohframes.com to know more about this crane attachments.

3. Open top container

This type of container is basically a Dry Storage type but without top. This allows for easy loading of bulk cargo. There is a roof structure, plastic, that can be secured to the container with ropes, and that provides protection against rain and other forms of precipitation.

This type of equipment is handled by Overheight Frames as the cargo might protrude from the top of the container. Visit ohframes.com to know more about this crane attachments. If the cargo does not protrude a standard Spreader can do the job.

4. Open side storage container

An open side container has one long side that can completely open. This is beneficial for wide merchandise that may be difficult to get through the end of a tunnel container or dry storage container. The side swings open as if it was made of two large doors, but it can still be secured to protect the merchandise inside.

This type of container is handled by Spreaders. Visit containespreaders.com to get more info.

5. Refrigerated ISO containers

A refrigerated container or reefer is an intermodal container used in intermodal freight transport that is refrigerated for the transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo. While a reefer will have an integral refrigeration unit, they rely on external power, from electrical power points (“reefer points”) at a land-based site, a container ship or on quay. When being transported over the road on a trailer or over rail wagon, they can be powered from diesel powered generators (“gen sets”) which attach to the container whilst on road journeys. Refrigerated containers are capable of controlling temperature ranging from -65 °C up to 40 °C.

This type of container is handled by Spreaders. Visit containespreaders.com to get more info.

6. ISO Tanks

Tanks are storage containers designed to hold liquids. They are usually constructed out of anti-corrosive materials because of the chemicals they are used to carry. Tanks may also be used to store dry goods like sugar, but they are most often used exclusively for liquids.

As the Refrigerated container or the normal Dry storage this container is handled by standard spreaders. Visit containerspreaders.com if you want to know more.

7. Half height containers

Made mostly of steel, these containers are half the height of full-sized containers. Used especially for good like coal, stones etc. which need easy loading and unloading. This type of container is being used more and more for Containerized Bulk cargo.

This type of containers can be transported and lifted by standard spreaders but lately, in the bulk materials market, are used with rotatory spreaders such as the RAM Revolver.

8. Special purpose containers

Special purpose containers can be made in nearly any shape or dimension. They are used to transport items that require a custom container to be made for them. Most shipping companies avoid the use of special purpose containers as much as possible because they are costly to create and transport. Nevertheless, this is necessary for certain loads. The Spreader to be used with this type of container may vary, contact us for more info.