Container dimensions

Container dimensions for sea containers

Container dimensions play a fundamental role in sea freight, depending on the goods and commodities you wish to transport. The decisive criterion is the dimensions. Below we have listed all possible container dimensions for the TEU and FEU units of measurement. TEU and FEU are standardised measurements in international freight transport. The abbreviation “TEU” in container shipping stands for “twenty-foot equivalent unit” (i.e. a 20-foot container), while “FEU” refers to a “forty-foot equivalent unit” (a 40-foot container). The FEU container is therefore twice as long as the TEU container.

If you need significantly more payload, the best way to achieve this is by increasing the height. “High cube” containers are characterised by their special dimensions. The actual floor surface area corresponds to the width and length of a standard container. In contrast to a standard container, however, the “high cube” has a greater height. Thanks to its taller construction, the “high cube” offers a larger volume and allows a greater payload.

Container	Length mm	Width mm	Height mm	Volume m³
20′	5895	2350	2392	33.20
40′	12029	2350	2392	67.70
HC 40′	12024	2350	2697	76.30
HardTop 20′	5886	2342	2388	32.80
HardTop 40′	12020	2342	2388	67.20
OpenTop 20′	5934	2358	2340	32.45
OpenTop 40′	12031	2350	2330	65.9
Platform 20′	6058	2438	335	–
Platform 40′	12192	2438	610	–
Ventilated 20′	5888	2346	2392	33.00
Insulated 20′	5652	2235	2000	26.35
Insulated 40′	11750	2250	2080	58.40
Refrigerated 20′	5340	2200	2254	26.40
Refrigerated 40′	11141	2197	2216	54.20
HCRefrigerated 40′	11634	2288	2498	66.50
Bulk 20′	5934	2358	2340	32.90
Tank 20′	5934	2358	2340	–
Flat 20′	5918 between 5625	of floor 2398 between 2208	2172 of bottom 265	–
Flat 40′	12008 between 11712	of floor 2318 between 2232	1981 of bottom 610	–
ISO 40’ container				25 pallets 1.2 x 0.8 m
Pallet width 40′ container	12095	2422 rear door height 2404	2688 rear door height 2585	30 pallets 1.2 x 0.8 m Ratings: Maximum gross: 30,480 Kg Payload: 26,090 Kg Tare: 4,390 Kg Internal capacity: 78.7 m³
Pallet width 45′ container				33 pallets 1.2 x 0.8 m

How much fits into a sea container?

When it comes to capacity, sea containers are real marvels. Depending on their individual dimensions, the storage direction, stackability as well as the height of the cargo, a 20-foot container can, for example, be loaded with:

11 standardised Euro pallets or 9 standardised industrial panels
Eighty 275 litre oil drums
Furniture for a 65 m² flat, incl. kitchen and approx. 50 moving boxes
A 5-metre sailing yacht

Standard dimension and ISO standard 668

ISO 668 has been the international standard since 1968. It specifies the size and weight specifications of international freight containers. It lays down all elementary container parameters including external and internal dimensions, size and door opening, stackability and leeward weight specifications. But that’s not all: the attachment of brackets, cross beams and loading rails is also regulated by ISO standard 668. The standard has been repeatedly adapted, supplemented and extended in recent years. For example, the basic structure and special requirements in load transfer areas and total weight were also added to the regulations in 2005.

Thanks to their standardised design, ISO containers can be handled at terminals in any port in the world. They can easily be stacked and transported on ships that comply with the standard. So it no longer matters whether a ship comes from Europe, Asia or the USA. ISO standard 668 Containers can also be loaded onto any truck or goods train. ISO 668 standardised containers also perform well in terms of safety, resilience and weather resistance.

Container dimensions