3 Low Key Tips for Shipment Container Selection

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Whether you are an expert or someone starting your journey in the shipment industry, it is understandable to lose your direction when it comes to shipment container selection. In this regard, you can easily get professional help. However, if you want to select your container on your own, we are here for you. 

In this article, you will learn a few tips to select the best container for your cargo. So, let’s see what they are. 

1. Understanding the Categories of Container

The very first thing you need to know when you compare shipping containers is the category of the container. In general, there are 4 categories of the container. 

a. Normal General

In this category, standard containers with a size range of 20ft, 40ft, and 45ft come. They are generally 8ft wide and 8.5ft high. They are also called Intermodal containers because of their ability to be transported by various means. 

b. High Cube General

These containers are perfect for large cargo shipments. They are quite similar to general containers but they are designed to accommodate more than a regular container can. 

c. Reefers

These containers are refrigerated and used for the transport of things that need to be preserved at low temperatures. They are mostly used for the transport of edible things, fruits, medicine, etc. 

d. Insulated Containers

These containers don’t have any power source to maintain the temperature. They are insulated from the inside to keep the things fresh in them. They are mostly insulated using foam or thermal lining to stabilize the temperature. 

e. Special Ones

Apart from these basic ones, you can choose a container as per your shipment requirements. It can be done by contacting the right container suppliers. For instance, non-volatile liquid materials can be transported using flexi tanks. While for things that need to be lifted from cranes can be transported using open-top containers. 

2. Learning About Carrying Capacity

After deciding the type of container for your shipment, now is the time to learn about carrying capacity. Shipment containers are available in different sizes. A brief overview of these sizes is as follows;

a. 20ft

These are the second most common-sized containers used for shipment. They can easily hold a normal-sized vehicle. Or you can easily transfer the things of the 3-bedroom apartment without exceeding the load capacity in these containers. 

b. 40ft Standard

These containers are the most commonly used containers for shipment. They can be used for both land and sea travel. Their carrying capacity is 20000 kg but upon customization, they can accommodate more than that. 

c. 40ft General

These high-cube containers are mostly used for industrial and commercial purposes. They can easily hold 76 cubic meters of cargo. It is 10 cubic meters more than the standard 40ft container. 

3. Understanding FCL and LCL Concepts

  • In case you have a large shipment then you need a whole container. In this sense, you will use the term full container load FCL. 
  • While LCL- less than container load means, you can combine various commodities from different firms along with yours, dividing the cost among all importers.

In conclusion, your selection of container heavily depends on the load of shipment.