Ocean Container Specifications

The following ocean container dimensions and weights are offered as average indicators. Exact dimensions may vary due to the manufacturer of equipment. Maximum capacity weights listed do not correspond to the permissible weight limits for port, road and rail transport in all locations. Loaded containers rarely weigh more than 50,000 lbs. Please contact us for all details specific to your needs.

How to Choose the Right Ocean Shipping Container

Choosing the right ocean shipping container depends on your cargo’s dimensions, weight, volume, and handling requirements. Standard dry containers are suitable for most general freight, while high-cube containers provide additional height for bulky cargo. Refrigerated containers (reefers) accommodate temperature-sensitive goods, and open-top or flat-rack containers can support oversized freight that may not fit inside a standard container.

When comparing ocean container sizes, consider interior dimensions, door openings, cubic capacity, tare weight, and maximum payload. These specifications can help determine whether your shipment will fit safely and efficiently within the selected equipment.

Dry Containers

Suitable for normal cargos. Fitted with bar systems for Garment on Hanger (GOH) in some inventories/trade lanes.

20′ STANDARD

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
19’4″	7’8	7’10”
5.90 M	2.35 M	2.39 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’8″	7’6″
2.24 M	2.28 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
1,172 CF	47,900 LBS
33.2 CU. M	21,700 KGS

Tare Weight

4,916 LBS

2,230 KGS

40′ STANDARD

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
19’4″	7’8	7’10”
5.90 M	2.35 M	2.39 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’8″	7’6″
2.34 M	2.28 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
2,390 CFT	59,040 LBS
67.7 CU. M	26,780 KGS

Tare Weight

8,160 LBS

3,700 KGS

High Cube Dry Containers

Specifically for light, voluminous or over-height cargo.

40′ HIGH CUBE

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
39’5″	7’8″	8’10”
12.04 M	2.35 M	2.70 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’8″	8’5″
2.34 M	2.59 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
2,694 CFT	58,450 LBS
76.3 CU. M	26,510 KGS

Tare Weight

8,750 LBS

3,970 KGS

45′ HIGH CUBE

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
44’6″	7’8″	8’10”
13.56 M	2.35 M	2.70 M

Door Opening
Width	Height
7’8″	8’5″
2.34 M	2.59 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
3,050 CFT	64,250 LBS
86.4 CU. M	29,140 KGS

Tare Weight

8,550 LBS

3,880 KGS

Reefer Container

Specifically for cargo requiring transport at a constant temperature above or below a freezing point.

20′ REEFER

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
17’8″	7’5″	7’5″
5.43 M	2.28 M	2.26 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’5″	7’3″
2.26 M	2.22 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
2,694 CFT	58,450 LBS
28.3 CU. M	20,800 KGS

Tare Weight

7,040 LBS

3,200 KGS

40′ REEFER

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
37’8″	7’5″	7’2″
11.50 M	2.27 M	2.20 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’5″	7’0″
2.28 M	2.20 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
2,040 CFT	56,276 LBS
57.8 CU. M	25,580 KGS

Tare Weight

10,780 LBS

4,900 KGS

40′ REEFER HIGH CUBE

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
37’11”	7’6″	8’2″
11.58 M	2.30 M	2.50 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’6″	8’0″
2.30 M	2.44 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
2,344 CFT	57,561 LBS
66.6 CU. M	25,980 KGS

Tare Weight

9,900 LBS

4,500 KGS

Open Top Containers

Has a removable tarpaulin. Specifically designed for over-height cargo, allows for loading by crane.

20′ OPEN TOP

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
19’4″	7’7″	7’8″
5.90 M	2.31 M	2.35 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’6″	7’2″
2.29 M	2.19 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
1,136 CFT	47,620 LBS
32.2 CU. M	21,600 KGS

Tare Weight

5,280 LBS

2,400 KGS

40′ OPEN TOP

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
39’5″	7’8″	7’8″
12.03 M	2.35 M	2.35 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
7’8″	7’5″
2.34 M	2.27 M

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
2,350 CFT	58,710 LBS
67.5 CU. M	26,630 KGS

Tare Weight

8,490 LBS

3,850 KGS

Flat Rack and Platform Containers

Specifically for heavy loads & over-width cargo, ideal for out-of-gauge cargo that will not fit inside a closed container.

20′ FLAT RACK

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
18’5″	7’3″	7’4″
5.62 M	2.20 M	2.23 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
–	–
–	–

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
–	47,333 LBS
–	21,470 KGS

Tare Weight

5,578 LBS

2,530 KGS

40′ FLAT RACK

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
39’7″	6’10”	6’5″
12.08 M	2.44 M	2.10 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
–	–
–	–

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
–	85,800 LBS
–	39,000 KGS

Tare Weight

12,081 LBS

5,480 KGS

20′ COLLAPSIBLE FLAT RACK

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
18’6″	7’3″	7’4″
5.62 M	2.21 M	2.23 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
–	–
–	–

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
–	61,117 LBS
–	27,730 KGS

Tare Weight

6,061 LBS

2,750 KGS

40′ COLLAPSIBLE FLAT RACK

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
39’7″	6’10”	6’5″
12.08 M	2.13 M	2.04 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
–	–
–	–

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
–	85,800 LBS
–	39,000 KGS

Tare Weight

12,787 LBS

5,800 KGS

20′ PLATFORM

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
19’11”	8’0″	7’4″
6.06 M	2.44 M	2.23 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
–	–
–	–

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
–	52,896 LBS
–	24,000 KGS

Tare Weight

6,061 LBS

2,750 KGS

40′ PLATFORM

Interior Dimensions
Length	Width	Height
40’0″	8’0″	6’5″
12.18 M	2.40 M	1.95 M

Door Openings
Width	Height
–	–
–	–

Maximum Capacity
Volume	Weight
–	86,397 LBS
–	86,397 LBS

Tare Weight

12,783 LBS

5,800 KGS

Understanding Container Capacity and Weight Limits

A shipping container’s cubic capacity indicates how much space is available for cargo, while its maximum payload represents the weight of the cargo it can carry. Tare weight is the weight of the empty container. These figures are important when planning container loads, estimating shipping requirements, and determining whether freight can be transported within applicable weight restrictions.