Table of Contents
01. What is an Open Top Container & Why They Are Important ?
Simply put, open top containers can be identified as shipping containers without a fixed roof panel (roof or ceiling). This type of container is specifically designed to handle specialized cargo that falls under major categories such as construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment. In fact, open top containers are primarily used for oversized or irregularly shaped cargo that cannot be loaded through the standard container doors.
The absence of a roof panel allows these containers to be loaded and unloaded from the top, typically using cranes or other lifting equipment. Often, the cargo transported in open top containers exceeds the height of the container frame, which is why such shipments are commonly referred to as out of gauge (OOG) cargo.
Although open top containers do not have a fixed roof panel, they are equipped with a removable PVC tarpaulin cover and roof bows. The roof bows provide structural support to prevent the tarpaulin from sagging inward. When protection from weather, dust, or other external factors is required, the tarpaulin cover can be securely fastened over the cargo.
Additionally, some open top container models feature a swing header, which allows for easier and smoother loading and unloading operations. This feature enhances handling efficiency, especially when dealing with heavy machinery or tall equipment that needs vertical access.
1.1 Overview of Common Cargo Types Carried
Shippers usually avoid using dry containers when the goods do not fit properly inside regular containers. For example, machinery and industrial equipment are often too large and require additional space from the top. Some types of equipment also cannot be loaded through the usual container doors, but they can be easily loaded from the top using a crane.
This is the main reason why open top containers are widely used for oversized cargo, bulky cargo, or out-of-gauge (OOG) shipments. The open roof design allows convenient loading and unloading from above, making it suitable for transporting heavy and irregularly shaped goods that exceed standard container dimensions.
Some common examples of specific goods transported using open top containers include,
- Steel pipes and beams
- Concrete slabs and prefabricated panels
- Scaffolding and bridge components
- Excavators, bulldozers, and other heavy machinery
- Large generators, compressors, and transformers
- Machine parts and engines
- Timber logs and sawn wood
- Tractors, harvesters, and agricultural machinery
- Wind turbine parts and solar panel frames
- Oil and gas drilling equipment
- Boats, small yachts, and storage tanks
- Cable drums, industrial coils, and reels
- Vehicles with extended height
02. What are the sizes, types, and ISO codes of open top containers?
In general, we can find several standard sizes of open top containers commonly used in international shipping. The most frequently seen types are;
| Container Type | Common Name / Short Form | ISO Type Code |
|---|---|---|
| 20 foot standard open top container | 20′OT Container / 20′SOT Container | 22U1 Container |
| 20-foot high cube open top container | 20′HC OT Container | 25U1 Container |
| 40-foot standard open top container | 40′OT Container | 42U1 Container |
| 40-foot high cube open top container | 40′HC OT Container | 45U1 Container |
These are recognized worldwide as universal standard sizes for open top equipment. Apart from these common models, there are also other variations available depending on the cargo requirement and region. These include the 10-foot open top container, 45-foot open top container, 48-foot open top container, and half-height open top container.
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03. Dimensions of an Open Top Container
| Feature | Measurement | OPEN TOP – 20′ DRY | OPEN TOP – 20′ HIGH CUBE | OPEN TOP – 40′ DRY | OPEN TOP – 40′ HIGH CUBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Measurement | Length Width Height | 5,898mm 2,350mm 2,348mm | 5,898mm 2,350mm 2,690mm | 12,022mm 2,350mm 2,348mm | 12,032mm 2,352mm 2,653mm |
| Door Opening | Width Height | 2,340mm 2,280mm | 2,340mm 2,565mm | 2,340mm 2,280mm | 2,340mm 2,585mm |
| Roof Opening | Length Width | 5,680mm 2,252mm | 5,680mm 2,252mm | 11,798mm 2,230mm | 11,806mm 2,192mm |
| Swing header opening | Width | 1,940mm | 1,940mm | 1,940mm | 1,940mm |
| Load Capacity | 32.5(m³) | 37.3(m³) | 66.3(m³) | 75.1(m³) | |
| Tare weight | 2240kg | 2,350kg | 3,880kg | 3890kg | |
| Pay Load | 28,240kg | 27,990kg | 26,600kg | 28,610kg |
04. What Makes an Open Top Container Different from a Dry Container?
| Component | Description | Open Top Container | Dry Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarpaulin | |||
| Roof Bows / Roof Bars | |||
| Swing Header | |||
| TIR Cord | |||
