In the international trade process, the transportation of goods is an important link. Whether it is by sea, air or land, according to the classification of international trade goods, all goods will be divided into two categories: bulk cargo and suitable container cargo.
Bulk cargo, also known as bulk cargo, cannot be packaged in a unified manner due to the limitation of the shape of the cargo, so it can only be transported in bulk. Generally, it includes dry (solid) bulk goods and liquid bulk goods, mainly some large-scale machinery and equipment and raw materials. For example, automobiles, loaders, coil steel, coal, cement, etc.
Container-friendly cargo, as the name suggests, is cargo that is suitable for packing in a container. These goods can be loaded into a special container and then shipped directly from the sender’s warehouse to the receiver’s warehouse in one go, implementing “door-to-door” transportation. At present, the trade of suitable containerized goods on the main international shipping line has basically been carried out in containers. There are many types of suitable goods, and the most suitable type of goods are valuables.
However, due to different types of goods and different transportation needs, containers are naturally divided into various sizes. So, how do you choose the right container size for your cargo? We will answer for you hand in hand!
1.Container size
First, to make a choice, you need to know the container size.
The container size can be divided into two parts, one is the external size and the other is the minimum internal size. There is a certain deviation between the outer dimension and the minimum inner dimension due to the existence of the sheet, and in order to increase the “bending moment of inertia”, the container will also use corrugated plate, which will further increase the deviation between the outer dimension and the minimum inner dimension.
In general, the length deviation between the minimum inner and outer dimensions is about 50mm (2ft), plus the usual thickness of the corrugation is 25mm (1ft), so the final deviation in length is about 75mm (3ft), and the height deviation is about 200mm (8ft), because in addition to the 25mm (1ft) thick corrugated board at the top of the container, the bottom plate itself is about 27mm (1.1ft) thick, and there is a bottom gap that must be left, about 150mm (6ft).
For the convenience of reading, the dimensions we talk about below, if not marked, refer to the external dimensions of the container.
As of November 2021, containers are classified into 13 sizes according to international standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The width of these 13 specifications is the same, 2438mm (8 ft); the length is divided into 4 kinds, namely 12192mm (40 ft), 9125mm (about 30ft), 6058mm (about 20ft), 2991mm (about 10ft); height There are 3 types, 2896mm (9 ft 6 in), 2591mm (8 ft 6 in), 2438mm (8ft).
These 13 kinds of containers are divided into four series A/B/C/D according to the length:
1.1 A series container
The length of these containers is 12192mm (40 ft) and the width is 2438mm (8 ft). According to the different heights, they are divided into the following four types:
Type IAAA container: height is 2896mm (9 ft 6 in)
Type IAA container: Height 2591mm (8 ft 6 in)
Type IA container: height is 2438mm (8ft)
Type IAX Containers: Containers with a height of less than 8ft
1.2 B series container
These containers are 9125mm (about 30ft) in length and 2438mm (8ft) in width, and are divided into the following four types according to their heights:
Type IBBB container: 2896mm (9 ft 6 in) height
Type IBB container: height is 2591mm (8 ft 6 in)
IB type container: height is 2438mm (8ft)
IBX Containers: Containers with a height of less than 8ft
1.3 C series container
These containers are 6058mm (about 20ft) in length and 2438mm (8 ft) in width, and are divided into the following three types according to their heights:
ICC type container: height is 2591mm (8 ft 6 in)
IC type container: height is 2438mm (8ft)
ICX type container: container height less than 8ft
1.4 D series container
These containers are 2991mm (about 10ft) in length and 2438mm (8 ft) in width. According to the height, they are divided into the following two types:
ID type container: height is 2438mm (8ft
Type IDX Containers: Containers with a height of less than 8ft
At present, the most commonly used containers for international sea and land transportation are the ICC type in the C series (length 6058mm (about 20ft) X width 2438mm (8 ft) X height 2591mm (8 ft 6 in)) and the IAA type in the A series ( Length 12192mm (40ft) X width 2438mm (8 ft) X height 2591mm (8 ft 6 in)).
However, these 13 sizes of containers are not all. Containers that do not meet ISO international standards also exist, but you need to search for them according to your needs.
2.Container capacity
After knowing the dimensions, you can further understand the internal capacity of the container. Due to the deviation of the minimum internal and external dimensions, the actual internal capacity will also be reduced.
For example, a common ICC type container, its actual volume is 30m³, but the effective volume may be between 28m³. Similarly, the actual volume of the IAA container is 60m³, and the effective volume is also between 58m³.
3.Container load
After knowing the size and capacity of the container, the load of the container is also a place that needs your attention. Whether it is sea, air, or land transportation, the weight of the cargo is very important for safety control.
Let us still take the common ICC type and IAA type container as an example. The IAA type container has the same width and height as the ICC type container, both width 2438mm (8 ft) X height 2591mm (8 ft 6 in), but the IAA type container length (12192mm (40ft)) is the ICC type container length ( 6058mm (about 20ft)) twice.
Does this mean that an IAA-type container can carry twice the weight of an ICC-type container? No, in fact, the maximum cargo load weight of an IAA container is about 25 tons, while the maximum cargo load of an ICC container is about 18 tons.
In addition, the maximum cargo load weight of the container is also related to the crane load and road weight restrictions.
Since July 1, 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has stipulated that containers with unverified gross mass (VGM) cannot be loaded, and some countries have also made regulations.
For example, the ICC type container is not allowed to bear more than 17.5 tons in the United States. The Russian standard is relatively broad, but it is also not allowed to bear more than 20 tons.
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