Technical information on containers
Containers play a crucial role in modern logistics. They are the backbone of international goods transport and enable goods of all kinds to be shipped safely and efficiently. But what are the technical features of a container? What standards must be met and how are they constructed to ensure maximum efficiency and safety? In this section, we look at the technical aspects of containers, from the basic dimensions and capacities to special requirements and safety standards.
General standards
Efficiency through palletising
To simplify the handling of shipments and increase efficiency, pallets are used to load containers. This is particularly important in countries with high labour costs.
Pallet capacity
- 20-foot container: Can hold 11 pallets with Euro dimensions of 80×120 cm.
- 40-foot container: Offers space for 23 pallets with Euro dimensions of 80×120 cm.
Weight restrictions & dimensions
The permissible total weight of containers varies from country to country and is often higher than the maximum permissible weight for road and rail transport.
| Internal dimensions | 589 x 235 x 239 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 234 x 229 cm |
| Empty weight | 2250 kg |
| Max. Payload | 28200 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1202 x 235 x 269 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 234 x 259 cm |
| Empty weight | 4020 kg |
| Max. Payload | 26410 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1202 x 235 x 237 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 233 x 228 cm |
| Roof opening LXB | 1155 x 219 cm |
| Empty weight | 3850 kg |
| Max. Payload | 26700 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 598 x 223 x 225 cm |
| Unladen weight | 2500 kg |
| Max. Payload | 27800 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 605 x 243 cm |
| Empty weight | 2520 kg |
| Max. Payload | 27960 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 548 x 229 x 225 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 229 x 222 cm |
| Unladen weight | 3160 kg |
| Max. Payload | 27320 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1164 x 229 x 250 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 229 x 252 cm |
| Empty weight | 4150 kg |
| Max. Payload | 30480 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1202 x 235 x 239 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 234 x 229 cm |
| Empty weight | 3780 kg |
| Max. Payload | 26700 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 589 x 235 x 237 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 233 x 228 cm |
| Roof opening BXH | 223 x 534 cm |
| Empty weight | 2250 kg |
| Max. Payload | 28200 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1202 x 235 x 264 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 235 x 268 cm |
| Roof opening LXB | 1152 x 219 cm |
| Unladen weight | 4100 kg |
| Max. Payload | 26420 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1201 x 223 x 198 cm |
| Unladen weight | 4200 kg |
| Max. Payload | 40800 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1219 x 224 cm |
| Unladen weight | 5700 kg |
| Max. Payload | 39300 kg |
| Internal dimensions | 1156 x 229 x 226 cm |
| Door opening BXH | 4200 kg |
| Unladen weight | 4600 kg |
| Max. Payload | 29400 kg |
Interesting facts about containers
Containers have revolutionised the world of transport and have become an indispensable part of global logistics. Their history began as early as the 18th century in England, where wooden outer packaging crates were used to facilitate the transport of goods from the railway to horse-drawn carriages. In the 19th century, special container shapes were added for railway transport.
However, the big breakthrough came in the 20th century. The first standardised rail containers were introduced in the Netherlands. In 1956, the first 58 containers were shipped to the USA, marking the beginning of a new era in international trade. Since 1961, ISO has set standards for container dimensions, which have further facilitated global trade.
Today, containers are an indispensable tool for the efficient and safe transport of goods of all kinds. They have not only had a significant impact on logistics, but also on global trade.
