A complete guide to ISO containers and tracking tools
An ISO container is a large metal box, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, designed and used to transport goods from one port to another by road, rail, sea, or air.
Today, intermodal containers are ubiquitous, and it’s easy to overlook how much they have transformed international trade. Since intermodal containers were introduced, they've become a key part of logistics, and it’s worth exploring facts about intermodal containers a little more.
Here are answers to the questions you didn’t know you had about intermodal containers, and a list of the best tools for tracking intermodal shipments:
What is an ISO container?
An ISO container is:
- a large metal box (made from steel, aluminium...) used to transport goods and manufactured products, adapted to several modes of transport;
- an intermodal freight transport unit is a forty-foot container is regarded as two twenty-foot containers or 2 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit);
- a container whose contents are not loaded or unloaded when the container is moved from one means of transport to another;
- a container that meets the international ISO standards;
- an experiment carried out successfully and democratised by the American businessman Malcolm Maclean, that supplied American soldiers with equipment in the 1940s;
- a transport solution that allowed the development of international shipping by sea.
There are two standard types of ISO containers: the 20-foot container and the 40-foot container. They are widely used in shipping and are different from other types of containers because they are completely airtight.
Each type of intermodal container has specific dimensions (height, weight, length, and payload).
Here is a short video that explains the history behind containers:
Containers types and sizes
Here is our curated list of the 8 most common types of shipping containers.
1. Dry storage containers
A dry storage container is the most commonly used intermodal container. It is mainly used for storing and transporting dry materials such as wooden or cardboard crates, pallets, barrels or drums.
This type of container is completely airtight and is not equipped with cooling nor ventilation systems like refrigerated and ventilated containers.
Dry storage container sizes are 20ft, 40 ft, and 10 ft. They are also available in High Cube (approximately 1 ft extra height compared to basic models).
2. Open top containers
An open top container falls within the category of dry storage containers. However, unlike a dry storage container, it does not have a roof.
This type of container is used to transport large items that are too heavy for manual handling or cannot fit into a standard dry storage container.
The opening of an open top container is smaller than the container’s interior. This means that there is less room for manoeuvring when loading your cargo through the top of an open top shipping container.
A 20 ft open top container has a maximum load of approximately 28 metric tons, while the 40 ft open top container can hold up to 30 metric tons.
© Transportplanning
3. Refrigerated shipping containers
Refrigerated shipping containers, also known as reefer containers, are equipped with a system that maintains an internal temperature of between -35ºC and 15ºC.
These containers must always be connected to an external power source. They are mainly used for the shipment of temperature-sensitive, perishable cargo such as fish, meat, medicines and pharmaceutical products.
Reefer containers generally come in 20 ft and 40 ft, and they are commonly made from weathering steel known as COR-TEN steel. And, they are also available in High Cube (approx. 1 ft extra height compared to basic models).
© MTcontainer
4. Open side containers
An open side container has the same features as a dry storage container. The main difference is the two additional bi-fold doors on one of the side walls. They give access to one side of the container.
It is useful when it comes to loading and unloading oversized materials. However, it is only available in a new or “one-trip” condition. A “one-trip” container is only shipped once (from the factory to the USA).
They are also available in 20ft and 40ft. And, they are also available in High Cube (approx. 1 ft extra height compared to basic models).
© Containertech
5. Flat rack containers
Flat rack containers have collapsible sides that can be folded to make a flat rack. The end walls are stable enough to allow stacking several flat rack containers on top of one another.
These containers are especially suitable for heavy loads and cargo that need to be loaded from the top or sides, such as heavy machinery, pipes and construction materials.
Flat rack containers are manufactured from steel and come in 20 ft and 40 ft.
© Bison
6. Double door containers
Double door containers are standard intermodal cargo containers. However, they have double doors on both ends. These containers are very durable and are helpful for quickly loading and unloading construction material such as steel and iron. Both sets of doors have the same locking assembling and weather-tight seals to protect cargo.
Double door containers are available in 20ft and 40ft. And, they are also available in High Cube (approx. 1 ft extra height compared to basic models).
© Mccontainers
7. Insulated containers
Similar to a refrigerated shipping container, an insulated container has regulated temperature control to withstand a higher temperature.
Insulated containers are built for all year round use. They provide warm and dry storage space and basic models include pair doors and ventilation.
© Domertrade
Insulated containers are available in 20ft and 40ft.
8. Tank containers
Tank containers or tankers are intermodal containers used for transporting liquids, gasses and powders as bulk cargo.
They are made of steel or other anti-corrosive materials for the transportation and long-life protection of liquid materials.
A tank container must be at least 80% full to prevent dangerous surging of liquids in transit, but it must also not be over 95% full or there would not be sufficient room for thermal expansion.
© MCM
Tank containers are only available in 20ft.
Table of standard container dimensions
The following table gives you the dimensions of 20-ft and 40-ft dry storage and reefer containers.
| Exterior | Interior | Door opening | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Width | Height | Length | Width | Height | Width | Height | |
| 20' Standard Dry Storage Container | 20' | 8' | 8'6" | 19'3" | 7'8" | 7' 9 7/8" | 7'8" | 7'5" |
| 40' Standard Dry Storage Container | 40' | 8' | 8'6" | 39' 5" | 7'8" | 7' 9 7/8" | 7'8" | 7'5" |
| 40' High Cube Dry Container | 40' | 8' | 9'6" | 39' 5" | 7'8" | 8' 10" | 7'8" | 8' 5 1/2" |
| 20' Reefer Container | 19' 10.5" | 8' | 8'6" | 17' 11" | 7'6" | 7'6"* | 7''5" | 7'3" |
| 40' Reefer Container | 40' | 8' | 8'6" | 37' 11" | 7'6" | 7'6"* | 7''6" | 7'6" |
| 40' High Cube Reefer Container | 40' | 8' | 9'6" | 37' 11" | 7'6" | 8'4"* | 7''6" | 8'4" |
ISO containers are used to transport a wide range of goods and manufactured products. And, it is essential to use tracking software to pinpoint the exact location of these shipments at all times to meet important deadlines. Here is a list of the best software appvizer recommends for tracking intermodal shipments:
Best tools to track intermodal shipments
Freight forwarders and import-export companies need tools to manage their import-export business efficiently and offer the best service to each customer.
These tools are indeed essential to them: they facilitate the management and editing of mandatory documents, but also enable them to trace the goods, i.e. the containers.
MercuryGate TMS: an all-in-one system for intermodal transportation
MercuryGate is a transport management system that can be used for all types of shipments including road, rail, sea, or air freight.
MercuryGate TMS is easy to integrate with external software such as ERP systems and WMS systems. Its platform lets shippers, third-party logistics providers, freight brokers, freight forwarders, and carriers work together in a synchronized environment to plan and optimize shipments.
MercuryGate TMS
SAP Transportation Management: transportation and logistics management software
SAP Transport Management is a transportation management system that lets shippers, logistics service providers, and carriers manage their transportation processes within a single platform.
© SAP
Its list of features includes:
- freight management,
- order management,
- analytics,
- transportation and demand planning,
- a collaboration portal,
- interactive freight tendering.
SAP Transport Management
TRADE.EASY: software for an efficient international trading of goods
TRADE.EASY is an online management software for import-export companies, international trade and wholesale. The TRADE.EASY software enables you to monitor all your import-export, trade and wholesale activities.
Features of the trading software:
- business overview for the manager,
- commercial management,
- logistical follow-up of validated orders,
- cash flow monitoring,
- accounting export.
See all software Transportation Management
Preparing for the future of intermodal transportation
Intermodal transportation has been growing rapidly for many years and, as the UK's economy and population keep growing, the demand for intermodal shipments will grow too.
In consequence, intermodal networks are preparing for this by setting up new terminals, increasing tunnel heights, enhancing service reliability, and more.