Your Guidebook To Select The Right Container Size!

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Credit: frank mckenna/Unsplash

With so many container sizes available, it’s important that you choose the right one. In fact, it’s one of the most important business decisions you’ll make. As the right container size can save you money and keep your cargo safe. 

History Of Shipping Container Sizes

Shipping containers come in two standard sizes but this wasn’t always the case. Malcolm McLean invented the first standard shipping container in the US in 1956. Before the standardization of containers, all goods were manually loaded into sacks, barrels and wooden crates – and then loaded directly onto cargo vessels. It could take up to 3 weeks to unload and load each ship at this rate! The benefits of using standard containers were immediately apparent. It allowed more goods to be shipped at once and the loading and unloading times were significantly reduced. Containers also made it possible to ship fragile items without any fear of getting damaged in transit. 

Standard Container Sizes

Standard ISO shipping containers are the most common type of freight containers used in shipping. These containers are 8ft (2.43m) wide, 8.5ft (2.59m) high and come in two lengths: 20ft (6.06m) and 40ft (12.2m). You can transport your cargo safely in these durable containers, as they’re made of high-quality aluminum or steel. 

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Source: ContainerXchange