The Complete Container Guide 📦 Container Types, Advantages and Features (2023)

Containers are highly utilized and essential tools in today's transportation industry. Enabling the transport of all kinds of cargo, these specialized vehicles cover a wide range of use cases with their different sizes, shapes, materials, and capacities.

For this reason, having knowledge about containers is quite beneficial in transportation operations. In this post, we will provide a complete guide to different container types, their advantages, and features. If you are ready, let's take a look at the world of containers together!

What is a Container?

A container is a box of standard dimensions, usually made of metal or plastic, widely used in the transport and logistics industry. Containers can be mounted onto ships, trains, and trucks, making transportation operations faster and more efficient.

Features of Containers

The features of containers are as follows:

• Durability: Usually made of steel, they are highly durable. Therefore, they are ideal for carrying heavy loads and withstanding harsh conditions.

• Standard sizes: Containers have standardized dimensions, which makes them easy to transport and store. These dimensions are generally determined in accordance with the ISO 6346 standard.

• Easy Portability: Despite their large size, they can be easily transported by ships, trains, trucks, and other vehicles.

• Flexible use: They can be used in many different ways. For example, some containers are suitable for use as portable offices, storage areas, or workshops.

• Modular structure: They can be combined to build a structure. This feature is especially popular in the construction industry and is used in prefabricated buildings.

• Secure storage: It can be used as a secure storage area, especially for storing hazardous materials.

• Cost-effectiveness: They have an affordable cost compared to alternative solutions. Therefore, they are widely used in many sectors.

Use Cases of Containers

The areas of use for containers are quite broad. Although they are frequently utilized in the transport and logistics sector, these boxes can be used in many different industries.

The first area of use is transportation and shipping operations. They are especially widely used in maritime transport. Container ships can carry hundreds of thousands of them at the same time, thereby reducing costs. They can also be easily transported on trains and trucks.

The second area of use is storage operations. They are used for storage purposes, especially in the construction and industrial sectors. Building materials, tools, and other products can be securely stored in containers.

The third area of use is housing construction. In recent years, they have also begun to be used in house building. Thanks to their modular structures, containers can be combined to construct houses, offices, or warehouses.

The fourth area of use is special-purpose containers. These boxes are designed particularly for transporting sensitive or special products such as seafood, medical supplies, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. These specially designed containers ensure that products are transported freshly and safely.

Container Types

The variety of containers is quite wide. In addition to standard ones, there are also special designs such as flat rack, open top, high cube, reefer, and tank containers.

Each is designed for different purposes and manufactured to meet industry-specific needs. While standard containers can carry almost all cargo except for tank containers that usually transport liquids or gases, special containers are designed to meet the need to transport more specific cargo.

Generally, container types are divided into 4 groups. These are:

• Standard container types

• Special-purpose container types

• Containers by material

• Containers by usage type

Now keep reading to see what all the types are used for.

Standard Container Types

The standard container types accepted worldwide are as follows:

• 20ft Container

• 40ft Container

• 40ft High Cube Container

• 45ft Container

• Open Top Container

• Flat Rack Container

• Reefer Container

20ft Container

The 20ft container is one of the most common standard sizes and is ideal for cargo transport. These containers are generally used for transporting small cargoes such as household goods, textile products, electronic equipment, and food products.

40ft Container

40ft containers are used to carry larger amounts of cargo and are twice as large as 20ft containers. These containers are ideal for automobiles, large construction materials, heavy machinery, and similar cargoes.

40ft High Cube Container

Although 40ft high cube containers are the same size as standard 40ft ones, they have a higher ceiling. These models are ideal for transporting bulky but lightweight cargo.

45ft Container

45ft containers are slightly larger than standard 40ft ones and have more cargo carrying capacity. They are ideal for transporting large volumes of cargo.

Open Top Container

Open top containers are containers with an open top, differing from a closed model that has its top covered with a tarpaulin or a fixed ceiling. They are ideal for loading large and heavy equipment or materials from the top.

Flat Rack Container

Flat rack containers are containers with two open sides and a middle section consisting of a flat platform. They are ideal for transporting large and heavy cargoes and can be carried on top of cargo ships or laid on their sides.

Reefer Container

Reefer containers are designed for transporting temperature-controlled cargo. They have a special cooling system to control the temperature of the cargo inside and are especially used in the transport of food, medicine, and medical supplies.

Special-Purpose Container Types

Special-purpose containers can be briefly listed as follows:

• Tank container

• Climate-controlled container

• Platform container

• Tunnel container

• Offshore container

• Plant container

Tank Container

Tank containers are specifically designed for liquid and gas cargo. They are used in the transport of chemicals, petroleum products, gas, and similar cargoes.

Climate-Controlled Container

Climate-controlled containers are designed to control the temperature and humidity of cargoes. They are especially used in the transport of food, medicine, and medical supplies, ensuring that the quality of the cargo is preserved.

Platform Container

Platform containers consist of an open platform structure. They are ideal for transporting large and heavy cargoes and can be carried on top of cargo ships or laid on their sides.

Tunnel Container

Tunnel containers are containers with two open sides, differing from closed ones. They are used when cargo needs to be loaded from both sides.

Offshore Container

Offshore containers are specially designed for use at sea. They are utilized for oil platforms, submarine research, and similar activities.

Plant Container

Plant containers are specially designed for plant transport. They ensure that natural conditions are preserved during the transport of plants and that the plants arrive healthy at their destination.

Container Types by Material Used

Container types can also be classified differently according to the material used. Generally, it is possible to say they are made with 3 different materials. These are:

Containers Made of Sheet Steel

Containers made of sheet steel are generally used for transport and storage. These containers are preferred because of their high durability features. They are ideal for carrying heavy loads and are long-lasting. Also, thanks to the sheet steel material, they are weather-resistant. Therefore, they can be used in hot or cold weather conditions.

Containers Made of Aluminum

Containers made of aluminum are preferred because of their lightweight, durable, and rust-resistant properties. These containers are generally used in air freight, military logistics, travel, and tourism sectors. Being lightweight reduces their transport effort and the weight of materials to be carried. Additionally, thanks to the aluminum material, problems like rust or corrosion do not occur.

Plywood Containers

Plywood containers are generally used for shipping and storage. They are preferred because of their durable, lightweight, and economical characteristics. Additionally, they are resistant to low humidity and temperature levels. Therefore, they can be used in hot or cold conditions. They are suitable for storing moisture-sensitive materials inside the containers.

Container Types by Usage Purpose

Containers can also be shaped according to their intended use. At this point, varieties prepared for various needs such as dry cargo and bulk cargo come into play. Their types according to the purpose of use are as follows:

Dry-Cargo Containers

Dry-cargo containers are a type of container used especially for transporting a wide range of products. They are usually made of steel and have a closed structure. In this way, the materials to be transported are not affected by weather conditions. Dry-cargo containers are produced in many different sizes and shapes, and they have standard dimensions. Thus, they can be easily loaded onto ships, trains, trucks, or other transport vehicles.

Bulk-Cargo Containers

Bulk-cargo containers are specially designed for transporting powdery or granular cargoes. They are made of steel and have a conical bottom. In this way, the loads can be discharged into the container, making transportation easier. Bulk-cargo containers do not have standard dimensions and are specially designed according to the characteristics of the cargo to be carried.

Various Fields of Use for Containers

Since containers are highly functional boxes, they are used in many fields. These areas can be explained as follows:

Shipping and Logistics

They are used in transport of many different cargos. These containers provide secure and rapid transport, ensuring that goods reach their destination without damage.

Storage

They can also be used for storage. These containers are ideal particularly for the temporary storage of construction materials, furniture, and similar goods.

Offices and Housing

Containers can also be used as offices and housing. They are used in temporary offices, construction site offices, houses, and similar structures.

Other Special Purpose Uses

They are also designed for special-purpose uses. For example, containers used at music festivals can be specially designed for restaurants, cafes, exhibition areas, and similar spaces.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Container

There are some important factors to consider when making a container selection. Some of these are:

• Size: Container sizes can vary, so it is important to choose a container of a size suitable for the characteristics of the cargo to be transported.

• Intended Use: The container's intended use is an important factor in its selection. For example, while reefer containers are preferred for transporting food, platform containers may be more suitable for construction materials.

• Condition: The condition of the container determines whether it is suitable for transport conditions. Used containers may show damages such as scratches, rust, or decay due to various reasons. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly inspect the condition of the container.

• Mode of Transport: The channel through which the container will be transported affects its features. For example, a container designed for maritime transport might not be suitable for road transport.

Container Prices and Rental Duration

Container prices vary depending on size, condition, intended use, and mode of transport. In addition, the purchasing costs of containers are higher compared to rental costs.

Thanks to Navlungo, you can carry out your container transportation operations professionally at quite low costs. For this, you just need to contact us on our website. Our team will handle the rest for you!

Things to Consider During Container Loading

When loading a container, one must pay attention to many important points. Some of these are:

• Cargo suitable for the size of the container should be selected.

• The cargo must be secured inside the container. In this way, the cargo does not move and get damaged during transport.

• The cargo must not exceed the weight capacity of the container. Otherwise, the container might be damaged, and dangerous situations could arise during transport.

• Before starting to load, it should be ensured that the container is clean and dry. Otherwise, the cargo might get damaged, or issues like rotting or molding could occur during transport.

Control and Notifications in Container Loading

During the container loading process, certain checks and notifications must be made. These checks and notifications can be:

• The cargo must be prepared in a manner suitable for transport. For example, while bulk cargoes are loaded into conical-shaped ones, sensitive materials must be loaded into insulated containers.

• The cargo needs to be labeled correctly. In this way, information such as where the cargo will be transported and what features it has is clearly indicated.

• The cargo must be secured inside the container. Attention should be paid to the suitability and quality of the materials to be used during the securing process.

• The proportion between the weight and size of the container and those of the cargo must be checked. Otherwise, dangerous situations may occur during transport.

• After the loading process is complete, the doors of the container must be closed, and it must be ensured that the doors are locked. In this way, the cargo cannot fall out of the container or get damaged during transport.

These checks and notifications are very important for the container loading process to be done correctly and for cargoes to be transported safely.

What to Do for Container Maintenance

Containers are designed to withstand long-term and heavy cargo transport, but they require regular maintenance. Containers must be protected against degradation of cladding and exterior surfaces, rust, and corrosion.

Therefore, regular cleaning, painting, and coating of the container's surfaces are necessary. In addition, checking the functionality of the door and hinge mechanisms, and repairing or replacing damaged parts are also important.

Staying inside the container in a wet or humid environment for a long time can cause mold, fungi, and bad odors. Thus, controlling the humidity level inside the container and ventilating it appropriately is important. Additionally, regular cleaning and disinfecting of the inner surfaces of the container are required.

What to Do for Container Repair

Since containers are exposed to factors such as harsh weather conditions, heavy cargo transport, and handling, they can get damaged over time. Using damaged containers can jeopardize cargo safety and lead to legal problems. Therefore, damaged containers must be repaired or replaced.

Repairing requires different methods depending on the type and severity of the damage. Damaged parts of containers can be repaired using methods such as welding, replacing plates, or reshaping. Additionally, parts like doors, hinges, and lock mechanisms may also need to be replaced.

Container Disposal and Recycling

The issue of container disposal and recycling has gained more importance in recent years along with growing environmental awareness. Since containers are made of materials such as steel, aluminum, and plastic, they can be recycled. However, the disposal and recycling of containers that have reached the end of their lifespan must also be done correctly.

Widespread Use and Advantages of Containers

Containers are widely used worldwide today. Being an ideal option for transport and storage, containers play an important role in the shipping sector thanks to their fast and easy portability.

In addition, containers reduce the risk of damage to the products to be transported due to their secure and sturdy structure. Furthermore, thanks to the standard sizes and shapes of containers, the loading and unloading operations of products also become faster and more efficient.

Our Predictions Regarding the Future of Containers

The use of containers will continue to play an important role in the future. The use of more environmentally friendly and sustainable materials will help containers become greener and have a lower carbon footprint. Also, with the use of smart technologies, tracking and control of containers will develop further, rendering transportation processes even more efficient.

Summary and Recommendations

Containers hold an important place in today's transport and storage sector. There are several factors to consider when choosing a container, including the size, weight, and sensitivity of the product to be transported. In addition, container prices and rental duration also play an important role.

Container disposal and recycling is an important issue for the environment. Recycling containers helps preserve natural resources and also contributes to reducing waste.

In the future, with the further development of containers and the use of smart technologies, transportation and storage operations will become more efficient and sustainable. Therefore, raising awareness regarding the use and recycling of containers is important.