Below we list the most common maritime containers. Please note that the measurements are general and standard, but may vary depending on the manufacturer or special requirements.
Dry Van: Standard containers. Hermetically closed, without refrigeration or ventilation.
Metallic: Similar to standard containers, but without sealing and without refrigeration. Normally used to transport waste and garbage by road.
High Cube: Standard containers mostly 40 ft; main feature is their greater height (9.6 ft).
Reefer: Refrigerated containers with temperature control system and thermostat. They must be connected on the ship and at the terminal, and ideally on the truck or via an external generator.
Open Top: Similar to standard ones, but open at the top. Cargo may protrude; in that case, surcharges apply depending on the excess.
Flat Rack: No side walls (and sometimes no front/rear walls). Used for out-of-gauge cargo; surcharges apply similarly to Open Top.
Open Side: Open on one side. Typically 20 or 40 ft. Used for long cargo that cannot be loaded through the container doors.
Tank container: Mainly used for bulk liquid transport. A tank mounted within a steel frame whose external dimensions match a Dry Van.
Flexi-Tank: Used to transport liquids in bulk. A single-use flexible polyethylene tank installed inside a standard 20 ft Dry Van container.
| Specification | 20 feet | 40 feet | 40 feet High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 20´ × 8´ × 8´6" | 40´ × 8´ × 8´6" | 40´ × 8´ × 9´6" |
| Tare | 2300 kg / 5070 lb | 3750 kg / 8265 lb | 3940 kg / 8685 lb |
| Maximum cargo | 28 180 kg / 62 130 lb | 28 750 kg / 63 385 lb | 28 560 kg / 62 965 lb |
| Gross weight | 30 480 kg / 67 200 lb | 32 500 kg / 71 650 lb | 32 500 kg / 71 650 lb |
| Common use | Regular dry cargo: bags, pallets, boxes, drums, etc. | Ideal for big volume cargo. | Ideal for big volume cargo. |
| Length | 5898 mm / 19´4" | 12 025 mm / 39´6" | 12 032 mm / 39´6" |
| Width | 2352 mm / 7´9" | 2352 mm / 7´9" | 2352 mm / 7´9" |
| Height | 2393 mm / 7´10" | 2393 mm / 7´10" | 2698 mm / 8´10" |
| Capacity | 33,2 m³ / 1172 ft³ | 67,7 m³ / 2390 ft³ | 76 m³ / 2700 ft³ |
We present some of the most commonly used air containers, as well as a couple of frequently used pallets. Please note that the measurements are general and standard, but may vary depending on the manufacturer, specific models or special requirements.
Containers a) AAP / AA2, b) AMP and c) AMA / AQ6:
Standard aluminum containers with varying dimensions and payload capacity. Side opening; closed by a flap and a web of straps. Can be adapted for hanging garments. Some models have security doors.
AMP container: Standard aluminum air cargo container (ULD), commonly used in air freight operations.
AKH container: Metal container with side and top opening. It can be closed with fabric or a solid roof, as required. Forklift-handled.
AKE container: Aluminum container with fabric panels, open on the side and closed with a canvas flap.
AKN container: Aluminum container designed to improve rigidity and safety. Side opening with double metal doors. Forklift-handled, adaptable to hanging garments, and can be sealed.
Pallets a) PGA / P1 and b) PMC / P6:
Low-height, general-purpose pallets with high toughness due to their stringer base. They mainly vary in length and payload capacity and are ideal for lower holds and main decks.
| Item | AAP / AA2 | AMP | AMA / AQ6 | AKH | AKE | AKN | PGA / P1 | PMC / P6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 3.175 mm | 3.175 mm | 3.175 mm | 1.560 mm | 1.560 mm | 1.560 mm | 6.040 mm | 3.175 mm |
| Width | 2.238 mm | 2.438 mm | 2.438 mm | 1.535 mm | 1.535 mm | 1.535 mm | 2.438 mm | 2.238 mm |
| Height | 1.625 mm | 1.625 mm | 2.438 mm | 1.135 mm | 1.600 mm | 1.600 mm | 2.438 mm | 2.440 mm |
| Tare | 230 kg | 285 kg | 270 kg | 85 kg | 75 kg | 120 kg | 540 kg | 125 kg |
| Usable volume | 9,8 m³ | 10,8 m³ | 15,7 m³ | 3,5 m³ | 4,5 m³ | 3,9 m³ | 15,8 m³ | 11,5 m³ |
| Max gross weight | 4.625 kg | 4.625 kg | 6.800 kg | 1.135 kg | 1.587 kg | 1.587 kg | 11.300 kg | 6.800 kg |
| Aircraft compatibility | B747F / B747 / A340 / A330 / B777 | B747F / B747 / A340 / A330 / B777 | B747F | A320 / A321 | B747 / A340 / A330 / B777 | A340 / A330 | B747F / B747 (only for max payload) / A340 / A330 / B777 | B747F / B747 / A340 / A330 / B777 |