Reference Information

For the safety of any cargo, it is important to choose the right packaging. In case of transportation in containers, this packing is universal and represents a classic "solid box" - a container. In spite of similarity, the containers are different. They differ in type and size.

Container sizes:
In order for the international transportation processes to be as automated as possible, are used two standard sizes of conventional containers:
- 20 feet (usually used for solid and heavier loads),
- 40 feet (for lighter and measurement cargoes).
Less commonly used a smaller type - (10 feet) and a larger one (45 feet).

Types of containers:
Based on the functions and tasks required for containers, different types of containers are distinguished in international transportation. The most widely-spread are:
- Dry Cube, or General Purpose - a container for ordinary dry cargoes, which does not require special conditions of transportation. This is the most popular type of container,
- High Cube - a container with an increased height (one foot more than standard),
- Pallet Wide - container with enlarged width,
- Flat Rack, or Platfrom - container in the form of an open flat platform. It is convenient to carry heavy and breakable/fragile loads that require special handling (cars, machines, and other equipment),

- Open Top, or Open Side - a container with an open removable top, or with opening doors upon the long side. Thus, it is easier to place a large cargo in a container;
- Tunnel - container with doors on both opposite sides; when they are open, it becomes through, like a tunnel. Such a container is indispensable for accelerated loading and unloading,
- Refrigerated, or Reefer - refrigerated container, or simply ref. Used for goods requiring cool storage - for example, for perishable food. Some ref-containers provide even blast freezing at low temperatures,
- Insulated, or Thermal - containers, similar in their device to thermoses. In them perishable products are stored at the temperature regime necessary for them,
- Tanks - tank-container. Designed for the transportation of liquid or gaseous goods. They have many subspecies depending on the type of cargo. As a rule, they all have a cylindrical shape, and are made of stainless steel or materials that are similar in properties,
- Bulk - container for the transportation of dry bulk goods,
- Special - special container. There are subspecies for transportation of cars, animals, live fish and other specific cargoes.