Metal Containers Key Terms

Understand lingo used to describe types of shipping containers

Gone are the days when shipping containers all looked alike. Today, there are a broad range of metal containers suitable not just for shipping, but also for storage. Some feature variations straight from the manufacturer, while others are professionally modified and sold to a number of industries, including construction companies, storage facilities, and any business requiring inexpensive, sturdy, and safe long-term storage. With that in mind, this guide will help you understand terminology used to describe the many types of metal containers available on the market today.

 

Shipping containers

Shipping containers are large, rectangular steel boxes used for shipping cargo across the ocean. Often, companies discard these containers after they fulfill their shipping purposes and sell them for use in land storage. Some companies recycle the containers for use in building houses and offices. Shipping containers are usually 20 or 40 feet long.
Try: BSL Containers carries a variety of new metal shipping containers.

Chassis

When speaking of metal containers, a chassis is a metal frame on wheels used to mobilize a storage container, either permanently or, more commonly, for the purpose of moving it to a new location.
Try: ChassisKing pictures and describes a variety of chassis suitable for metal storage containers.

Open top containers

Open top containers are shipping containers with an easy to remove lid. They work well for cargo or storage that needs a crane to move it.
Try: Interport explains how its open top containers work and explains what uses they are most suitable for.

High cubes

High cubes are taller than standard shipping containers. A standard shipping container is 8 feet 6 inches, whereas a high cube is 9 feet 6 inches tall. Most high cube containers are 40 feet long, but you can sometimes find them in larger and smaller sizes.
Try: Container Alliance offers a chart comparing typical sizes of shipping containers, including several sizes of high cubes.

Double door

A double door metal container has doors on both of its ends. Double door metal containers are ideal for long term storage, as they allow easier access to the container's contents.
Try: Paragon Industries pictures and describes a typical double door metal container.

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