Standard Containers
Standard containers are also known as general purpose containers. They are closed containers, i.e. they are closed on all sides. A distinction may be drawn between the following types of standard container:
|
Standard containers with doors at one or both end(s) |
|
Standard containers with doors at one or both end(s) and doors over the entire length of one or both sides |
|
Standard containers with doors at one or both end(s) and doors on one or both sides |
In addition, the various types of standard container also differ in dimensions and weight, resulting in a wide range of standard containers.
Standard containers are mainly used as 20' and 40' containers. Containers with smaller dimensions are very seldom used. Indeed, the trend is towards even longer dimensions, e.g. 45'. The principal components of a standard container are shown in following diagram of a 20' plywood container:
Figure 1: Components of a 20' plywood container
1 |
- |
Corner casting |
Eckbeschlag |
2 |
- |
Forklift pocket |
Gabelstaplertasche |
3 |
- |
Bottom cross member |
Bodenquerträger |
4 |
- |
Floor |
Boden |
5 |
- |
Bottom side rail |
Bodenlängsträger |
6 |
- |
Corner post |
Ecksäule |
7 |
- |
Top side rail |
Dachlängsträger |
8 |
- |
Front top end rail |
Dachquerträger |
9 |
- |
Front end wall |
Stirnwand |
10 |
- |
Roof bows |
Dachspriegel |
11 |
- |
Roof panel |
Dach |
12 |
- |
Door header |
Türobergurt |
13 |
- |
Hinge |
Scharnier |
14 |
- |
Door locking bar |
Türverschlussstange |
15 |
- |
Cam |
Nocke |
16 |
- |
Cam keeper |
Nockenhalterung |
17 |
- |
Door gasket |
Türdichtung |
18 |
- |
Door sill |
Türuntergurt |
Frame and bottom cross members are made of steel profiles, while three different materials are used for the walls:
1. Steel sheet, corrugated
Characteristics:
|
low material costs |
|
easy to repair |
|
high tare weight |
|
susceptible to corrosion |
|
difficult to clean owing to corrugated walls |
2. Aluminum sheet in conjunction with stiffening profiles
Characteristics:
|
low tare weight |
|
high material costs |
|
easily deformed, very quickly dented |
3. Plywood with glass fiber-reinforced plastic coating (plywood + GRP)
Characteristics:
|
easy to clean owing to smooth surfaces |
|
easy to repair |
|
strong and resilient, does not dent |
|
moderate material costs |
|
moderate tare weight |
The cost advantages have led to the predominant use of steel for container walls.
The floor is generally made of wood, usually planking or plywood. Although wood is relatively expensive, it has substantial advantages over other materials: it is strong and resilient, does not dent, may be easily replaced during repairs and, when appropriately finished, has an adequate coefficient of friction, which is important for cargo securing.
Standard containers may additionally be equipped with certain optional extras:
|
Forklift pockets: these allow handling of empty containers with forklift trucks. Packed containers must not be picked up in this way unless specifically permitted. Forklift pockets are installed only in 20' containers and are arranged parallel to the center of the container in the bottom side rails. 40' containers do not have forklift pockets, since the pockets are relatively close together and such large containers would be difficult to balance. In addition, the forklift truck travel paths are often not wide enough. |
|
Gooseneck tunnel: Many 40' containers have a recess in the floor at the front end which serves to center the containers on so-called gooseneck chassis. These recesses allow the containers to lie lower and therefore to be of taller construction. |
Figure 2: Gooseneck tunnel in standard container. The Figure shows the recess in the floor of the container into which the gooseneck of the chassis is fitted
Figure 3: Gooseneck tunnel in standard container. As a result of the recess in the floor of the container (right), the latter lies lower than does a container without gooseneck tunnel (left), so allowing the transport of containers up to 9'6" in height.
Grappler pockets: In general, containers are handled by top spreaders using the corner fittings or corner castings. However, some containers have grappler pockets for handling by means of grapplers.
Figure 4: Grappler pockets on standard container: these allow handling of the container using "grapplers"
Special fittings are available for transporting special cargoes:
|
Clothes rails for hanging garments: Special lashing rings attached to the top side rail serve to accommodate clothes rails on which textiles may be transported hanging on clothes-hangers. These are often used in the East Asia import trade. Additional lashing rings are installed on the bottom side rail and the corner posts. |
|
Inlet (bulk bag or liquid bulk bag): Plastic liners may be suspended in standard containers for transporting bulk cargo or nonhazardous liquids. |
The wooden components of most containers are impregnated against insect infestation, since, when lumber is used, it may, under certain circumstances, be necessary to comply with the quarantine regulations of the country of destination and a phytosanitary certificate may have to be enclosed with the shipping documents. Information may be obtained from the phytosanitary authorities of the countries concerned.
Figure 5: Standard 20' x 8' x 8'6" container
Figure 6: Door side of standard 20' x 8' x 8'6" container
Figure 7: Standard 40' x 8' x 8'6" container
Figure 8: Door side of standard 40' x 8' x 8'6" container
Figure 9: Standard 20' x 8' x 8'6" container with side doors [43].
Click on the right-hand door to open it or on the left-hand door to open both doors.
The following are some of the most important details relating to standard container types.
Standard container of steel: 20' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
5895 |
2350 |
2392 |
2340 |
2292 |
30480 |
2250 |
28230 |
33.2 |
5895 |
2350 |
2385 |
2338 |
2292 |
24000 |
2250 |
21750 |
33.2 |
Standard container of steel: 40' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12029 |
2350 |
2392 |
2340 |
2292 |
30480 |
3780 |
26700 |
67.7 |
High-cube Containers
High-cube containers are similar in structure to standard containers, but taller. In contrast to standard containers, which have a maximum height of 2591 mm (8'6"), high-cube containers are 2896 mm, or 9'6", tall. High-cube containers are for the most part 40' long, but are sometimes made as 45' containers.
A number of lashing rings, capable of bearing loads of at most 1000 kg, are mounted on the front top end rail and bottom cross member and the corner posts.
Many 40' containers have a recess in the floor at the front end which serves to center the containers on so-called gooseneck chassis. These recesses allow the containers to lie lower and therefore to be of taller construction.
Figure 3: 40' high-cube container
Figure 4: End of a 40' high-cube container, with arrow pointing to the overheight marking
The following are some of the most important details relating to high-cube container types.
High-cube container of steel: 40' long and 9'6" high with corrugated walls and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12024 |
2350 |
2697 |
2340 |
2597 |
30480 |
4020 |
26460 |
76.3 |
High-cube containers are used for all types general cargo (dry cargo). However, they are particularly suitable for transporting light, voluminous cargoes and overheight cargoes up to a maximum of 2.70 m tall.
Hard-top Containers
The walls of hard-top containers are generally made of corrugated steel. The floor is made of wood.
It has two typical distinguishing structural features. On the one hand, it is equipped with a removable steel roof. In some types, this roof has points for accommodating forklift trucks, allowing the roof to be lifted by forklift truck. The roof weighs approx. 450 kg. In addition, the door header may be swivelled out.
These two structural features greatly simplify the process of packing and unpacking the container. In particular, it is very easy to pack and unpack the container from above or through the doors by crane or crab when the roof is open and the door header is swivelled out.
In the case of transport of an overheight cargo, the container roof may be left open and fastened directly to a side wall on the inside of the container. To do this, the roof only needs approx. 13 cm (5 1/8") of space.
Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the upper and lower side rails, the corner posts and the middle of the side walls. The lashing rings on the side rails and corner posts may take loads of up to 2000 kg. The lashing rings in the middle of the side walls may take loads of up to 500 kg, provided that the roof is closed.
Usual hard-top container dimensions are 20' and 40'.
Figure 2: Hard-top container, fully closed
The following are some of the most important details relating to hard-top containers.
Hard-top container of steel: 20' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Door |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height (middle)
[mm] |
Height (side)
[mm] |
Max. width
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
5886 |
2342 |
2388 |
2313 |
2336 |
30480 |
2700 |
27780 |
32.8 |
5886 |
2342 |
2375 |
2330 |
2336 |
30480 |
2590 |
27890 |
32.8 |
Hard-top container of steel: 40' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Door |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height (middle)
[mm] |
Height (side)
[mm] |
Max. width
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12020 |
2342 |
2388 |
2313 |
2336 |
30480 |
4700 |
25780 |
67.2 |
12020 |
2345 |
2380 |
2300 |
2334 |
30480 |
4700 |
25780 |
65.3 |
High-cube hard-top container of steel: 40' long and 9'6" high with corrugated walls and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Door |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height (middle)
[mm] |
Height (side)
[mm] |
Max. width
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12020 |
2342 |
2693 |
2618 |
2336 |
30480 |
4900 |
25580 |
75.8 |
12020 |
2342 |
2693 |
2618 |
2336 |
32500 |
5200 |
27300 |
76.0 |
The meaning of the individual letters is clear from the following Figures:
Figure 3: Door openings
Figure 4: Roof openings
20' hard-top container |
Roof openings |
Door openings |
Reduced widths when roof is carried inside |
Length |
Width |
Width |
Width |
Width |
Height |
Height |
Internal
width
[mm] |
Roof
opening
width
[mm] |
Door
opening
width
[mm] |
B
[mm] |
C
[mm] |
F
[mm] |
G
[mm] |
H
[mm] |
I
[mm] |
K
[mm] |
5590 |
2208 |
2336 |
1896 |
2208 |
2276 |
2220 |
2209 |
2142 |
2206 |
5590 |
2208 |
2336 |
1896 |
2208 |
2292 |
2220 |
2209 |
2142 |
2206 |
5590 |
2208 |
2336 |
1896 |
2208 |
2280 |
2231 |
2215 |
2148 |
2212 |
40' hard-top container |
Roof openings |
Door openings |
Reduced widths when roof is carried inside |
Length |
Width |
Width |
Width |
Width |
Height |
Height |
Internal
width
[mm] |
Roof
opening
width
[mm] |
Door
opening
width
[mm] |
B
[mm] |
C
[mm] |
F
[mm] |
G
[mm] |
H
[mm] |
I
[mm] |
K
[mm] |
11724 |
2208 |
2336 |
1896 |
2208 |
2292 |
2220 |
2209 |
2142 |
2206 |
11724 |
2208 |
2336 |
1896 |
2208 |
2276 |
2220 |
2209 |
2142 |
2206 |
11724 |
2208 |
2334 |
1882 |
2208 |
2290 |
2125 |
2205 |
2102 |
1996 |
40' high-cube hard-top container |
Roof openings |
Door openings |
Reduced widths when roof is carried inside |
Length |
Width |
Width |
Width |
Width |
Height |
Height |
Internal
width
[mm] |
Roof
opening
width
[mm] |
Door
opening
width
[mm] |
B
[mm] |
C
[mm] |
F
[mm] |
G
[mm] |
H
[mm] |
I
[mm] |
K
[mm] |
11724 |
2208 |
2336 |
1896 |
2208 |
2597 |
2525 |
2230 |
2163 |
2227 |
Hard-top containers are used for all types general cargo (dry cargo). Their principal uses are as follows:
|
heavy cargo |
|
tall cargo |
|
loading from above or through the doors by crane or crab |
Open-top Containers
The walls of open-top containers are generally made of corrugated steel. The floor is made of wood.
It has the following typical distinguishing structural features. The roof consists of removable bows and a removable tarpaulin. The door header may be swivelled out.
These two structural features greatly simplify the process of packing and unpacking the container. In particular, it is very easy to pack and unpack the container from above or through the doors by crane or crab when the roof is open and the door header is swivelled out.
It should be noted, however, that the purpose of the roof bows of an open-top container is not solely to support the tarpaulin but also to contribute to container stability. Flatracks are therefore more suitable for overheight cargoes.
Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the upper and lower side rails and the corner posts. The lashing rings may take loads of up to 1,000 kg.
Usual open-top container dimensions are 20' and 40'.
The following are some of the most important details relating to open-top container types.
Open-top container of steel: 20' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls, removable tarpaulin and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height (middle)
[mm] |
Height (side)
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
5888 |
2345 |
2365 |
2315 |
30480 |
2250 |
28230 |
32.0 |
5897 |
2350 |
2377 |
2347 |
30480 |
2350 |
28130 |
32.5 |
Open-top container of steel: 40' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls, removable tarpaulin and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height (middle)
[mm] |
Height (side)
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12029 |
2342 |
2376 |
2326 |
30480 |
3810 |
26670 |
65.5 |
12022 |
2345 |
2365 |
2315 |
30480 |
3740 |
26740 |
65.3 |
12030 |
2350 |
2377 |
2347 |
30480 |
3850 |
26630 |
66.4 |
Open-top containers are used for all types of general cargo (dry cargo). Their principal uses are as follows:
|
packing and unpacking from above or through the doors by crane or crab |
|
tall cargo |
Flatracks
Flatracks consist of a floor structure with a high loading capacity composed of a steel frame and a softwood floor and two end walls, which may either be fixed or collapsible. The end walls are stable enough to allow cargo securing means to be attached and several flatracks to be stacked on top of one another. Flatracks are available in 20' and 40' sizes.
A number of lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the side rails, the corner posts and the floor. The lashing rings may take loads of up to 2000 kg in the case of 20' flatracks or up to 4000 kg in the case of 40' flatracks.
Some types of 20' flatracks have forklift pockets.
40' flatracks have gooseneck tunnels at each end. In addition, they are sometimes equipped with lashing winches with 2 metric ton lashing belts.
For transport of certain cargoes, flatracks may be provided with stanchions.
Figure 2: 40' flatrack: floor structure with high loading capacity and two fixed, likewise very stable end walls.
The following are some of the most important details relating to flatracks.
Flatrack: steel frame with fixed end walls and softwood floor, 20' long and 8'6" high |
Internal dimensions |
Weights |
Floor length
[mm] |
Length between corner posts
[mm] |
Floor width
[mm] |
Width between stanchions
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Height
of
floor
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare
weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
5980 |
5698 |
2230 |
2245 |
2255 |
336 |
24000 |
2500 |
21500 |
5962 |
5672 |
2242 |
2242 |
2261 |
330 |
30000 |
2200 |
27800 |
Flatrack: steel frame with collapsible end walls and softwood floor, 20' long and 8'6" high |
Internal dimensions |
Weights |
Floor length
[mm] |
Length between corner posts
[mm] |
Floor width
[mm] |
Width between stanchions
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Height
of
floor
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare
weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
5950 |
5675 |
2428 |
2213 |
2270 |
316 |
33000 |
2600 |
30150 |
Flatrack/Platform: steel frame with flushfolding end walls and softwood floor, 20' long and 8'6" high |
Internal dimensions |
Weights |
Floor length
[mm] |
Length between corner posts
[mm] |
Floor width
[mm] |
Width between stanchions
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Height
of
floor
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare
weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
6038 |
5638 |
2208 |
2438 |
2235 |
370 |
30480 |
2520 |
27960 |
6038 |
5612 |
2210 |
2438 |
2213 |
370 |
34000 |
2740 |
31260 |
Flatrack: steel frame with fixed end walls and softwood floor, 40' long and 8'6" high |
Internal dimensions |
Weights |
Floor length
[mm] |
Length between corner posts
[mm] |
Floor width
[mm] |
Width between stanchions
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Height
of
floor
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12010 |
11832 |
2228 |
2228 |
1981 |
610 |
45000 |
4200 |
40800 |
12086 |
11826 |
2224 |
2224 |
1981 |
610 |
45000 |
4200 |
40800 |
12010 |
11826 |
2244 |
2204 |
1981 |
610 |
45000 |
4200 |
40800 |
High-cube flatrack: steel frame with collapsible flushfolding end walls, 40' long and 9'6" high; can be converted to a platform |
Internal dimensions |
Weights |
Floor length
[mm] |
Length between corner posts
[mm] |
Floor width
[mm] |
Width between stanchions
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Height
of
floor
[mm] |
Maximum
weight
[kg] |
Tare
weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12060 |
11660 |
2365 |
2200 |
2245 |
648 |
45000 |
5700 |
39300 |
12060 |
11660 |
2365 |
2200 |
2245 |
648 |
45000 |
5950 |
39050 |
The maximum payload may be used only if the load is distributed evenly over the floor structure. However, if the weight of the cargo is applied to only a small proportion of the floor, it must be distributed and the manufacturer of the flatracks may have to be consulted on safety issues.
Flatracks are mainly used to transport heavy-lifts and overheight or overwidth cargoes.
Platforms (Plats)
Platforms consist solely of a floor structure with extremely high loading capacity; they have no side or end walls. This high loading capacity makes it possible to concentrate heavy weights on small areas. A platform consists of a steel frame and a wooden floor structure.
Platforms are available in 20' and 40' sizes. 40' platforms have a gooseneck tunnel at each end.
Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the side rails. The lashing rings may take loads of up to 3.000 kg.
Figure 2: 20' platform, converted from a 20' flatrack with folding, removable end walls.
Figure 3: 40' platform, converted from a 40' flatrack with folding, removable end walls.
The following are some of the most important details relating to 20' and 40' platforms.
Platform: steel frame with softwood floor, 20' long and 1' 1 1/4" high |
Dimensions |
Weights |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Floor height
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
6058 |
2438 |
370 |
30480 |
2520 |
27960 |
6058 |
2438 |
370 |
34000 |
2740 |
31260 |
Platform: steel frame with softwood floor, 40' long and 2' high |
Dimensions |
Weights |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Floor height
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
12192 |
2245 |
648 |
45000 |
5700 |
39300 |
Platforms are used principally for oversized and very heavy cargoes.
Ventilated Containers
Ventilated containers are also known as passive (naturally) ventilated or coffee containers. Ventilation is provided by ventilation openings in the top and bottom side rails. The openings do not let in spray, to prevent depreciation of the cargo by rain or spray, for example.
If actively ventilated containers are required, i.e. containers with adjustable ventilation, "porthole" containers may be used, which simultaneously act as insulated or refrigerated containers. For more detailed information, see under Insulated and refrigerated containers.
Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the upper and lower side rails and the corner posts. The lashing rings may take loads of up to 1,000 kg. The common size for ventilated containers is 20'.
Figure 2: Ventilated container: ventilation openings in upper side rail
Figure 3: Ventilated container: internal view of container. The black arrows point to the longitudinal rails in the container provided with ventilation openings
Figure 4: Ventilated container: internal view of container, showing ventilation openings in upper part of container
Figure 5: Ventilated container: internal view of container, showing ventilation openings at container floor level
The following are some of the most important details relating to ventilated containers.
Ventilated container of steel: 20' long and 8'6" high with corrugated walls and wooden floor |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Max. gross wt.
[kg] |
Tare weight
[kg] |
Max. payload
[kg] |
5888 |
2325 |
2392 |
2334 |
2290 |
30480 |
2400 |
28080 |
33.0 |
5895 |
2321 |
2392 |
2340 |
2292 |
30480 |
2490 |
27990 |
33.0 |
Ventilated containers are used especially for cargoes which have to be ventilated in transit. One of the most significant of such commodities is green coffee beans, hence the name coffee container.
Refrigerated and Insulated Containers
Refrigerated and insulated containers are mainly available as 20' and 40' containers. A distinction may be drawn between two different systems:
1. Integral Unit (Integral Reefer Container, Integrated Unit):
This type of refrigerated container has an integral refrigeration unit for controlling the temperature inside the container. The refrigeration unit is arranged in such a way that the external dimensions of the container meet ISO standards and thus fit into the container ship cell guides, for example. The presence of an integral refrigeration unit entails a loss of internal volume and payload.
Figure 1: Cell guides in a container ship
When being transported by ship, integral units have to be connected to the on-board power supply system. The number of refrigerated containers which may be connected depends on the capacity of the ship's power supply system. If the aforesaid capacity is too low for the refrigerated containers to be transported, "power packs" may be used, which are equipped with relatively large diesel generators and satisfy ISO requirements with regard to the dimensions of a 20' container. When at the terminal, the containers are connected to the terminal's power supply system. For transport by road and rail, most integral unit refrigeration units are operated by a generator set (genset). This may either be a component of the refrigeration unit or connected to the refrigeration unit.
Figure 2: Refrigerated container (integral unit) being transported by truck: since the container does not have an integral power source for operating the refrigeration unit, a diesel generator has been attached to the unit.
Figure 2: Refrigerated container (integral unit) being transported by truck: since the container does not have an integral power source for operating the refrigeration unit, a diesel generator has been attached to the unit.
Air flows through the container from bottom to top. In general, the "warm" air is drawn off from the inside of the container, cooled in the refrigeration unit and then blown back in the container as cold air.
Figure 4: Air flow in the integral unit: the refrigeration unit blows the cold air into the container at the bottom. It is distributed over the entire container length via the gratings and rises upwards through the cargo. The air is then drawn off from the container's upper return air opening via the air channel left clear beneath the container roof and cooled in the refrigeration unit. If the maximum load height is exceeded, there is not enough space left for the air to circulate properly.
To ensure adequate circulation of the cold air, the floor is provided with gratings. Pallets form an additional space between container floor and cargo, so also forming a satisfactory air flow channel. In addition, the side walls of the container are "corrugated", which ensures satisfactory air flow there too.
Figure 5: Gratings in the floor of a refrigerated container, which ensure uniform distribution of the refrigerated air.
Figure 6: Gratings in the floor of a refrigerated container, which ensure uniform distribution of the refrigerated air.
Figure 7: T-gratings with round holes for circulating air. It is possible to attach load securing equipment. Information on the load capacity of the round holes or the welded studs should be obtained from the manufacturer.
In the upper area of the container, adequate space (at least 12 cm) must likewise be provided for air flow. For this purpose, during packing of the container adequate free space must be left above the cargo. The maximum load height is marked on the side walls.
Figure 23: The refrigeration unit blows the cold air, possibly mixed with fresh air, into the lower part of the container. It is distributed over the entire container length via the gratings and rises upwards through the cargo through the perforations in the packaging. The air is then drawn off from the container's upper return air opening via the air channel left clear beneath the container roof and cooled in the refrigeration unit. If the maximum load height is exceeded, there is not enough space left for the air to circulate properly. Empty spaces in the vicinity of the container door can be closed with plastic sheeting. This prevents a circulation bypass.
more info located @http://www.tis-gdv.de/tis_e/containe/arten/kuehlcon/kuehlcon.htm
Figure 24: Integral unit
Figure 28: 20' porthole container with attached "clip-on unit" for supplying cold air ashore
The following are some of the most important details relating to refrigerated container types.
Insulated container: 20' long and 8' high, with steel frame, walls of sandwich construction |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Max. load height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Gross
[kg] |
Tare
[kg] |
Net
[kg] |
5724 |
2286 |
2014 |
2286 |
2067 |
24000 |
2550 |
21450 |
26,4 |
5770 |
2260 |
2110 |
2260 |
2090 |
24000 |
2900 |
21100 |
27,5 |
5770 |
2260 |
2110 |
2260 |
2090 |
27000 |
2900 |
24100 |
27,5 |
Insulated container: 40' long and 8'6" high, with steel frame, walls of sandwich construction |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Max. load height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Gross
[kg] |
Tare
[kg] |
Net
[kg] |
11840 |
2286 |
2120 |
2286 |
2195 |
30480 |
3850 |
26630 |
60,6 |
11810 |
2286 |
2210 |
2286 |
2300 |
30480 |
3650 |
26830 |
59,8 |
Integral Unit: 20' long and 8'6" high, with steel frame, walls of sandwich construction |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Footnote |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Max. load height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Gross
[kg] |
Tare
[kg] |
Net
[kg] |
5479 |
2286 |
2257 |
2157 |
2286 |
2220 |
30480 |
3160 |
27320 |
28,3 |
1) |
5459 |
2295 |
2268 |
2168 |
2291 |
2259 |
30480 |
3050 |
27430 |
28,4 |
2) |
5448 |
2290 |
2264 |
2164 |
2286 |
2260 |
30480 |
3060 |
27420 |
28,3 |
2) |
5534 |
2316 |
2331 |
2231 |
2316 |
2290 |
30480 |
3030 |
27450 |
29,9 |
2) |
5529 |
2316 |
2331 |
2290 |
2316 |
2290 |
30480 |
2960 |
27520 |
29,9 |
2) |
5535 |
2284 |
2270 |
2224 |
2290 |
2264 |
30480 |
2942 |
27538 |
28,7 |
2) |
1) Not suitable for transporting foodstuffs
2) Suitable for clip-on generators
Integral Unit: 40' long and 8'6" high, with steel frame, walls of sandwich construction, not suitable for transporting foodstuffs |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Max. load height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Gross
[kg] |
Tare
[kg] |
Net
[kg] |
11563 |
2294 |
2261 |
2161 |
2288 |
2188 |
34000 |
4600 |
29400 |
60,0 |
Integral Unit: 40' long and 9'6" high, with steel frame, walls of sandwich construction |
Internal dimensions |
Door openings |
Weights |
Volume
[m³] |
Length
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Max. load height
[mm] |
Width
[mm] |
Height
[mm] |
Gross
[kg] |
Tare
[kg] |
Net
[kg] |
11643 |
2288 |
2498 |
2378 |
2288 |
2517 |
30480 |
4180 |
26300 |
66,5 |
11575 |
2294 |
2560 |
2440 |
2286 |
2570 |
32500 |
4300 |
28200 |
68,0 |
11568 |
2290 |
2509 |
2389 |
2290 |
2473 |
32480 |
4240 |
28240 |
66,4 |
11580 |
2288 |
2498 |
2378 |
2288 |
2517 |
30480 |
4180 |
26300 |
66,2 |
11580 |
2290 |
2513 |
2393 |
2290 |
2522 |
30480 |
4180 |
26300 |
67,0 |
11580 |
2286 |
2528 |
2408 |
2286 |
2545 |
30480 |
4000 |
26480 |
67,0 |
11580 |
2286 |
2515 |
2395 |
2286 |
2535 |
30480 |
4150 |
26330 |
67,0 |
11578 |
2295 |
2550 |
2425 |
2290 |
2560 |
30480 |
4640 |
25840 |
67,8 |
11585 |
2290 |
2525 |
2405 |
2290 |
2490 |
34000 |
4190 |
29810 |
67,0 |
11577 |
2286 |
2525 |
2400 |
2286 |
2490 |
34000 |
4110 |
28890 |
66,8 |
11577 |
2286 |
2532 |
2407 |
2294 |
2550 |
34000 |
4190 |
29810 |
67,0 |
11583 |
2286 |
2532 |
2412 |
2294 |
2550 |
34000 |
4120 |
29880 |
67,0 |
11595 |
2296 |
2542 |
2402 |
2294 |
2550 |
34000 |
4190 |
29810 |
67,7 |
11578 |
2280 |
2525 |
2400 |
2276 |
2471 |
34000 |
4150 |
29850 |
66,8 |
11578 |
2280 |
2525 |
2400 |
2276 |
2471 |
34000 |
4240 |
29760 |
66,8 |
11578 |
2296 |
2542 |
2402 |
2294 |
2550 |
34000 |
4300 |
29700 |
66,7 |
Refrigerated containers are used for goods which need to be transported at a constant temperature above or below freezing point. These goods are divided into chilled goods and frozen goods, depending on the specified transport temperature. They principally include fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products, such as butter and cheese.
High-cube integral units are used in particular for voluminous and light goods (e.g. fruit, flowers).
Nowadays, goods requiring refrigeration are mostly transported in integral units, which have a markedly higher market share than porthole containers.
Chilled meat is sometimes also transported hanging, for which purpose the ceilings of refrigerated containers are equipped with special hook rails.
Figure 29: Transport of chilled meat in a container: this Figure shows the hook rails in the container roof. Hanging transport of chilled meat preserves the cargo from bruising and ensures proper circulation of cold air
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