In the world of logistics it is very important to know how to choose the right containers for the transfer of your cargo.
In this article we will talk about the most recommended types of containers that you can use depending on the type of cargo you want to mobilize.
Although there is a great variety of types of containers, you can summarize in a small list the most recommended and used to send cargo from one continent to another.
This list includes the following types of containers:
- Dry Van
- Refrigerated Reefer
- Open Top
- Open Side
- Flat Rack
- Tank or Tank
- Flexi-Tank
What is the difference between each one? Let’s explain it to you!
Dry Van Container
The Dry Van container is the most used in the logistics market. It is the same that you know as a standard container, 20 to 40 feet in length.
Its construction is basic and is hermetically sealed, without cooling or ventilation system.
The Dry Van container is suitable for carrying any type of dry cargo in pallets, boxes or bags.
One of its varieties is the High Cube type, which has a higher height (9.6 feet or 2.92 meters), which gives it a 13% more capacity.
The Dry Van container of the High Cube type is used to carry heavier loads like tobacco, coal and others.
Refrigerated Container or Reefer
The Reefer container is equipped with refrigeration or heat systems to keep its contents at a controlled temperature in the range of -18 ° C to 30 ° C.
It has means of connection to power sources in ports, cargo trucks, ships, airplanes or even to portable generators, if necessary.
In this way, the temperature of its contents is maintained throughout the journey from the origin to the destination.
The Reefer container is manufactured in sizes of 20 and 40 feet, as well as in High Cube format.
It is perfect if you want to transport loads that need to keep a low temperature, most often close to 0 degrees Celsius.
This includes meat products, canned fruits, fish and other foods of organic origin.
Open Top Container
An Open Top container is similar to the standard container, but its top side is a canvas removable roof.
In the Open Top container you can carry goods that stand out in height or very bulky.
Examples of such loads are granite or marble slabs, heavy machinery such as payloaders and loaders, etc.
Its superior opening allows a much faster loading and unloading.
You should keep in mind that when chartering an Open Top container are usually made supplementary contracts to cover “outstanding” cargo.
In this way, it seeks to compensate for what is left to be transported in additional containers.
Open Side Container
The Open Side container is a standard container type, 20 to 40 feet long, but in this case fully open on one side.
It is very useful if you want to carry loads whose size or shape do not allow them to pass through the back door of a conventional container.
Flat Rack Container
Widely used in industrial loading, the Flat Rack container resembles an Open Top container, but open both above and to the sides.
They only have the front and rear walls, but the entire structure is made of reinforced materials to allow the transport of very heavy loads or that exceed the height of a High Cube container.
The Flat Rack container is used to carry large special loads, such as buses or trucks with high-altitude accessories.
It is also used to carry extra-wide machinery or shapes that do not fit into classic containers.
The Flat Rack container facilitates the vertical placement of loads using cranes.
If necessary, its front and rear walls can be removed, useful for placing vehicles or rolling stock.
Logistics companies often charge extra when hiring a Flat Rack container, similar to what happens with the Open Top container.
Tank or tank container
The Tank container allows you to carry bulk liquids, both hazardous and non-hazardous.
It is made up of a cistern similar to those used in truck chassis, assembled within the framework of a conventional 20-foot shipping container.
The tank container tank is firmly attached to the container frame and can be insulated or heated.
It also has sensors to monitor the temperature of the content.
The use of a tank container involves a certain waste of space, because for safety reasons can not be filled above 80% of its capacity to avoid spillage during transport.
Even in exceptional cases, the limit can not exceed 95% of the capacity of the tank to avoid problems with the tank.to thermal expansion of the content.
Flexi-Tank Container
The Flexi-Tank container is actually an adaptation of a standard Dry Van container of 20 feet (6 meters) in length.
A standard container is placed inside a polybag inflatable called Flexibag, with a capacity of 12,000 to 26,000 liters.
This Flexibag bag is designed to be used only once.
The Flexi-Tank is used to transport hazardous liquids such as toxic or corrosive chemicals, combustible liquids, paraffin, oils and others.
But they are also ideal for carrying potable water, fruit concentrate, grape must, dairy products and other liquids for human or animal consumption.
The Flexi-Tank container has advantages from the sanitary point of view with respect to the tank containers, which require a deep cleaning every time they are used.
The Flexibag inflatable bag is installed inside the Dry Van container by specialized personnel and at the end of the transport is removed from it and can be given a different use or be discarded.
In turn, the Dry Van container is ready for use in dry cargo transport to other destinations.
This implies that the Flexi-Tank container does not generate empty return costs since only one-way freight must be contracted.
Nor do you have to pay for expensive cleaning as in the case of a classic tank container.
Another advantage is that it allows you to easily adapt a common container to carry liquids.
This is important at a time when there is little availability of Tank type containers available in the freight market.
Conclusion
If the subject interests you but you do not know what type of container to choose for your cargo, in
Alfa Trading we are ready to advise you and give you the guidance you need.Our experts can help you select the best containers and means of transport for your cargo.
We offer you our wide experience in the transport of maritime and fluvial cargo, air transport and land cargo.
We are experts in logistics for exports and imports of products of all kinds from Paraguay and anywhere in the world.
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