Types of shipping containers
The industry of shipping containers is about to reach 75 successful years. With these passing decades, shipping containers have evolved with changing technology and improved significantly. Today, storage containers can transport the most sensitive materials over long distances without fail. They have proved to be highly beneficial not only for transportation, but also commercial and personal uses. This is why we have brought to you the most thorough understanding of each type of container with its uses and price ranges so that you can decide which container will suit your needs and pockets in the best possible way.
Table of Contents
Standard Dry Containers
The reason dry containers have ‘standard’ in them is that they are the most deployed containers during sea freight. Statistically speaking, more than 90% of goods transported throughout the world domestically as well as internationally is done in these containers. It is the most basic type of container with no added features or specifications. They do provide security against the harsh weather conditions in the ocean. While looking at shipping containers for sale, you expect a price between $2000 and $6000.
20-ft Standard Container
The type of standard dry container used most is the 20ft standard containers. Although it is a 20ft container, they are 19′ 4″ long, 7′ 9″ wide, and 7′ 10″ in height. They are spacious enough to carry big payloads and at the same time small enough that even an average sized ship can carry more than 2000 containers in a single trip.
40-ft Standard Container
These are exactly 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet high. With the added length advantage, they can carry way more goods. It can often prove to be more efficient as it will require only a few 40ft containers instead of multiple 20ft containers to carry the same amount of shipment. It is also better in case of larger shipments which cannot fit in the relatively smaller container.
45-ft Standard Container
They have five feet of extra space for large cargo but are seldom used in shipping. They are generally used by specific companies where the demand is for shipping materials like long rocket parts, engines, construction equipment, etc.
High Cube Containers
The only difference between standard and high cube containers is the added one feet of height. The extra height provides more vertical space for storing goods, making them ideal for items that are taller or have bulkier packaging. Even though a single foot of space doesn’t seem a lot, It provides a sense of added comfort for the goods.
40-ft High Cube Container
These have a height of 9 feet 6 inches, which is an additional foot compared to the standard 40ft container. To buy shipping containers in this category, you generally have to pay an extra 500 dollars for that added one foot of space which definitely is costly. This is why they are used only when particularly specified by companies.
45-ft High Cube Container
These are the biggest containers in all categories with the most height as well as length. They can store 2.25 TEU which is the highest among all containers. Like standard 45ft containers, they are not commonly used. Particular manufacturers such as those which build big machine parts require these containers.
Refrigerated Containers
Also known as reefers, these types of containers have a more sophisticated interior design because they are built with the ability to regulate the temperature inside them. They are best suited for transporting sensitive items such as processed food, vegetables, medicines, chemicals, etc which can be harmed if not kept in a specific temperature range. The cost of refrigerated storage containers is undoubtedly higher with the range being between 5000 to 15000 dollars for the 20 ft variant and 8000 to 20000 dollars for the 40ft variant. Although they generally have a shorter lifespan than standard containers, regular inspection and cleaning can help the container to work effectively for more than a decade.
Open Top Containers
These containers are specifically designed to stay open from above for a reason. Movement of certain cargo in and out of containers becomes very difficult due to shapes and sizes. Open top containers allow cranes or other lifting equipment to easily drop and pull out cargo such as machinery and construction material thereby reducing the loading time. The open roof can be covered with a tarpaulin or removable cover, secured with strong roof bows and locking devices. They maintain the same footprint as standard containers but offer additional flexibility due to their open-top design. The cost of an open top container is generally higher than a standard container due to its specialized design and limited availability. On average, the cost of cargo containers in this category for new 20-ft open top containers lies between $3,500 to $6,000 while a 40-ft open top container can cost between $6,000 and $10,000.
Flat Rack Containers
Big cargo like construction machine parts and rocket engines cannot fit into standard containers. Flat rack containers are designed for transporting such oversized or heavy cargo. With the help of collapsible sides and collapsible ends (in some models), cranes can easily load and unload the cargo. Ranges of $4,000 and $7,000 in 20ft, $6,000 to $10,000 for 40ft is generally the case for these storage containers for sale. The prices of used flat rack conex boxes for sale are generally cheaper, with prices starting around $2,500 to $4,000 for a 20ft container and $5,000 to $8,000 for a 40ft container.
Tunnel Containers
These are also known as double door containers because they can open from both the ends making the container look like a tunnel. This design is particularly useful in situations where rapid access to cargo is required from both ends, such as in construction projects or events. Having doors on both sides also makes it super easy to move cargo such as vehicles in and out. The cost of tunnel containers is slightly higher than standard containers due to their double-door feature. You can buy storage containers for around $3,500 to $6,000 in the 20ft category, while 40ft versions range from $6,000 to $9,000.
Side Open Containers
Side open containers have doors on one or both sides in addition to the standard end doors, allowing for more flexible loading and unloading, especially for long or bulky items like pipes or lumber. This versatility makes them popular in industries that need quick access to cargo without rearranging other goods. They are a little costlier than standard containers because of the extra openings. The average price for a new 20ft side open container is between $4,500 and $7,000, while a 40ft version can cost from $7,000 to $12,000. Used containers with 20ft versions range from $3,000 to $5,000 and 40ft versions from $5,000 to $9,000.
Insulated and Thermal Containers
Insulated or thermal containers prevent the temperature inside the container from changing because of the outside weather changes. They might sound the same as refrigerated containers but they are not. Reefers have refrigerators installed which can be manually set to be at a specific temperature throughout the trip. Insulated containers on the other hand do not have this feature. They are simply made to keep the temperature of the container constant. If the doors of the container were closed at 45 degrees for instance, the container will not allow that heat to dissipate out of the container. These containers are essential for shipping goods that must be kept cool or warm over short distances. The cost of a new 20ft insulated container typically ranges from $5,000 to $8,000, while a 40ft version can cost between $8,000 and $12,000.
Tank Containers
Liquids and even gasses are important commodities while shipping. Tanks are a special category of shipping container which help with the shipment of liquids and gasses as they cannot be sent through any of the above container types. They are highly durable with an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years. They are certified by ISO which means they are more than capable of moving sensitive material over long distances without any major issues. They are carefully manufactured which is why they are highly expensive too.
Food Grade Tank Container
Food grade containers are ideal for transportation and storage of edible juices, oils and other drinks. They are made of stainless steel which helps in strength, waterproofing and rustproofing. Since they are ISO certified, they have a stone wool insulation of 50-200 mm which helps in keeping a stable temperature inside the container. The cost of conex boxes in this type starts from $15000 and goes up to $25000.
Chemical Tank Container
They are made for the transportation of hazardous as well as non-hazardous chemicals. Apart from the insulation from outside temperatures, the interior of the container is coated with a lining of aluminum or stainless steel which prevents the chemicals from reacting with the tank and damaging it. As a result, chemical tank containers for sale can go up to $30000.
Cryogenic Tank Container
It is the most complex container of all types as it is used to carry highly compressed gasses in the form of liquids. The inside of containers is kept at extremely low temperatures or the compressed gas might expand. They also have insulation as gasses in their compressed form can easily react with the container. They are the costliest of all types with prices starting from $50000 and going up to even $150000.
Ventilated Containers
Ventilated tank containers are designed to transport goods that need airflow, such as certain types of grains, food products, and other items that could benefit from ventilation to prevent condensation and maintain product quality. These containers have larger and more numerous vents than standard containers. These vents are typically located on the sides, top, or bottom of the container. Typically, a ventilated tank container for sale may range from $5,000 to $15,000.
Bulk containers
These types of containers are used to transport large amounts of a particular material or product at once. They have multiple openings which make the loading and unloading of such bulk efficient. Their size however is the same as 20ft and 40ft standard containers. Depending on the types of doors they have, they are mainly divided into two categories.
Open-Sided Bulk Container
These feature doors on one or both sides, allowing for easy access to goods, which is particularly useful for loading and unloading items that are longer or need side entry, such as timber, pipes, or machinery. They are ideal for storing and transporting goods that require ventilation, such as fresh produce or textiles.The cost of an open-sided container can range from $3,000 to $6,000.
Top-Loading Bulk Container
They are designed with a removable or open-top cover that allows for loading from the top. This feature makes them suitable for bulky or heavy items like construction materials, scrap metal, and grains. Top-loading containers are also useful for items that are too tall to fit through standard container doors. They typically cost between $4,000 and $7,000, varying based on their dimensions and whether they come with a hard or soft-top cover.
Conclusion
The container shipping industry offers a wide variety of shipping containers to deliver everything from bulkiest cargo to gasses in compressed form. Depending on the facilities and built structure of the containers their price also varies widely. You can choose from all the options and choose the one which fits you best. Even though the investment might sound hefty, it is very profitable in the long term, be it for shipments or personal storage needs. If needed, all categories have a used container option which can still satisfy your needs at a much lower price. You can check the costs of shipping containers at ContainersX LLC as they are one of the best suppliers in the country with quality checked containers. Get an instant quote by simply filling out a form.