Container is one of the specialized equipment commonly used in the process of transporting goods. In this article, Cuong Quoc Logistics will help you clearly understand the concept, structure as well as types of containers commonly used in transportation.

What are containers??

Container (or commonly called cont) is a large rectangular steel box. The inside of the container is usually empty and has an open door with a latch design to close it tightly.

Containers often have extremely good bearing capacity, There are also many different sizes.

Normally, The shell of the container is usually blue or red. However, containers may also have other colors depending on the container owner.

According to international standards, The width of the container is usually about more than 2.4m, height is 2.6m. Cont lengths are divided into 4 common types:

• 20’ hay 20 feet: 6,1 meter
• 30’ hay 30 feet: 9,1 meter
• 40’ hay 40 feet: 12,2 meters
• 45’ hay 45 feet: 13,72 meters

Structure of Containers

Currently, There are many different types of containers on the market. However, Structurally, they all possess the following parts:

Frame part

The container frame has a rectangular box shape, Made of steel. The container frame is an important part, directly affects the bearing capacity of the container.

The container frame is composed of 4 corner pillars, 2 roof beams, 2 bottom vertical beams, 2 bottom beams, 1 crossbar on the front and 1 crossbar on the back.

Bottom and floor

The bottom and floor of the container are made from horizontal beams connected to two vertical beams, Connect to the container frame, creating a block with high bearing capacity.

The floor of the container is made mainly of original wood. Therefore, Their bearing capacity is quite good. The type of wood used to make container floors is often soaked in chemicals so it is resistant to termites and rot for a long time..

Roof part

The roof panel of a container is a metal panel made from steel or aluminum. The roof panel is designed with very sturdy curving waves.

Simultaneously, They also limit the possibility of rust, helps ensure the safety of goods during transportation.

Vertical wall

Container vertical walls are metal panels bonded together. The vertical wall surface has wavy lines, has the effect of preventing rain from stagnating and increasing the load-bearing capacity of the container. These vertical walls are used to shield both sides of the container.

Front

The front of the container is made of metal steel plates. The front has no door and is stamped with square waves.

Rear and door

The back is designed with 2 flat metal panels as doors. The doors are attached to the container frame with sturdy hinges, Ensuring closure during transportation.

Assembly corner

Mounting corners are made of steel, welded to the above corners, bottom of the container. The docking angle is used to tie the lashings during lifting, stacked against goods.

>> See more: What is container packing list??

Symbols on containers

On cont, Regardless of any type of container, there are many types of symbols, express different meanings. These symbols are everywhere, front, behind, inside, outside and on the roof.

The current standard for container symbols is ISO 6346:1995. Accordingly, These brands are divided into the following main categories:

• Recognition system (identification system)
• Size code and type code (size and type codes)
• Mining symbols (operational markings)

Symbols on open top containers

Recognition system

The container recognition system consists of 4 components:

• Owner code (owner code): Owner code (Also called container prefix) includes 3 capital letters that are agreed upon and registered with the international registry through the national registry or registered directly with the International Container Bureau - BIC (International Office of Containers and Intermodal Transport).After registration, Owning this code is officially recognized worldwide. A firm may own one or more different codes, although BIC limits this, and set certain conditions for multiple code registrations.
• Device type symbol (equipment category identifier / product group code): is one of the three letters below capitalized, corresponds to a device type:
  • U: cargo containers (freight container)
  • J: detachable equipment of cargo containers (detachable freight container-related equipment)
  • Z: tractor head (trailer) or trailer (chassis)
  • The use of any letter other than the above three (U; J; Z) as a device type designation that is considered non-compliant with ISO 6346.

• Serial number (serial number / registration number): This is the container number, contains 6 digits. If the serial number is not 6 digits long, then the digits 0 will be added in front to make 6 digits. For example, if the serial number is 1234, then two 0's will be added, and the full serial number will be 001234. This serial number is set by the container owner himself, but ensure the principle that each number is only used for one container.
• Check digit (check digit): This number is generated by calculating the sum of the letters and numbers converted from the previous 10 letters and numbers and then dividing by 11., The balance is the check number. Currently there is software to convert and calculate check numbers, However, it is still possible to calculate it manually and will continue to research how to calculate this check number.

Recognition system

Size code and type code (size and type code)

• Size code: 2 characters (letters or numbers)
• 2-character type code: The type code of open top containers is U-Open top.

Size code and type code

Mining symbols (operational markings)

Symbols in mining are of two types: mandatory and optional.

Mandatory symbols include container load, Electrical hazard warning; container cao.

• Maximum weight (maximum gross mass) written on the container door. Some containers also show shell weight (tare weight) or the amount of queues allowed (payload).

• Warning sign of electrical danger from power lines above, Used for all containers equipped with climbing ladders.

• High cont sign above 2,6 meters: Required for containers over 8ft 6in high (2,6m). For example, The picture below shows a 9ft 6in tall container (2,9m).

• Largest useful mass (max net mass) posted on the door of the container, below the maximum container weight indication.

• Country code (country code) includes 2 abbreviated letters representing the name of the country that owns the container. In the picture below, US stands for United Stated (USA).

In addition to the three main types of symbols presented above, On the container shell there are signs describing other necessary information such as:

• CSC safety certification plate
• Customs acceptance sign
• Symbol of the international railway organization UIC
• Registration company logo
• Test plate (of registration), stacking signs (stacking height)
• Company name (Maersk, MSC…), logo, slogan (if any)
• Manufacturer's mark (CIMC, VTC…)
• Note the materials used to make container walls (corten steel), repair instructions (…repaired only with corten steel)
• Table of materials for manufacturing container parts; notes, …
• Information on wood treatment (flooring)
• Dangerous goods label (if any)

Container classification

Some types of containers that can be mentioned on the market include::

Cont department store (General purpose container)

Department store containers are also known as dry containers, This is a type of container used to transport dry goods. Department store containers include 20 types of containers, cont 40, cont 40 cao. These types are mainly used in transporting sea goods.

• Container 20 is suitable for storing goods and furniture, paper carton, packaged goods,…
• Cont 40 is suitable for packing and transporting packaged goods, things, paper carton.
• The 40 tall container has a larger volume than the above two types but is also suitable for packing goods like the above two types.

Cont cold (Reefer container)

Refrigerated containers are large portable refrigerators, Used to carry goods with special temperature requirements. Refrigerated containers can maintain temperatures from -30 degrees Celsius to + 30 degrees Celsius.

Refrigerated container is cooled by generator set, Operates on electricity and fuel. These containers use a temperature recording device called a Data Recorder to record temperature data inside the container during transportation..

This type of container is often used to store goods, food, agricultural products or other temperature-sensitive goods, need to be preserved during transportation.

Container with open roof (Open-top cont)

An open-top container is a type of container designed without a roof above. Instead of the roof is made of steel panels, Open roof containers will be covered with a tarpaulin instead.

Open-top containers are often used in the process of transporting construction equipment, machines, Large and bulky wood. These types of goods usually cannot be placed in containers.

Therefore, The open roof design will help facilitate the transportation of goods through the roof of the container.

Specialized containers (Named cargo containers)

This type of container is quite specially designed. The converted container will have 2 steel walls removed, Replaced with tarpaulins to facilitate loading and unloading goods.

Converted containers are often used to transport goods such as cars, motorbike, drinking water,…

Container bồn (Tank container)

Tank containers are made from aluminum, steel or stainless steel. Tank containers are designed according to ISO standards with extremely good durability. This type of container is often used to carry liquids such as gasoline, oil, water or mercury.

Flat surface containers (Platform cont)

Flat-sided containers have a roofless and wallless design. This type of container only has one hard floor, Add walls at both front and back ends for convenience in fixing, fold or disassemble. The flat surface container's design is convenient for loading and unloading goods when entering and leaving the port.

Flatbed containers are often suitable for transporting heavy goods, difficult to carry such as iron and steel or large machinery.

Dwarf containers (Half height container)

Dwarf containers are increasingly being used in transporting goods. This type of container is made mainly of steel, has a height equal to ½ the height of regular containers.

This type of container is frequently used to transport goods such as coal, stone,…Convenient in loading and unloading goods.

Bulk cargo containers (Bulk container)

Bulk containers are used to transport and stack dry bulk goods (cement, cereal, ore,…) by pouring from top to bottom through the mouth of the queue, Unload from the bottom or the side.

Bulk cargo containers have a normal shape like a department store container, except loading mouth and unloading door.

>>> See more: Bill of Lading and the role of B/L in import and export

Container symbol according to format

• DC (Dry Container) or GP (general purpose), sometimes written ST: The symbol of a container usually transports general goods.
• RE (Reefer): denoted for refrigerated containers
• OT (Open Top): This is a type of container that can be opened
• HC (High cube): Usually used for tall containers
• HR (Hi-Cube Reefer): is the symbol of refrigerated container, cao
• FR (Flat Rack): The type of container that can be opened, edge opening

Container symbols by type

Usually includes symbols of the following types: container 20′, 40' usually; container 20′,40′ cao; container 20′,40' cold; container 45′; container Flat Rack 20′, 40′, OT 20′, 40′.

Standard container size

Based on container classification, We have a standard container size table as follows:

Container Type	Length (m)	Width (m)	Height (m)	Volume (m3)
Cont 20 feet	5.898	2.352	2.395	33.2
20 foot cold container	5.485	2.286	2.265	28.4
Regular 40 feet container	12.032	2.350	2.392	67.6
Cont 40ft cao	12.023	2.352	2.698	76.3
40ft cold container	11.572	2.296	2.521	67.0
Dedicated container 45	13.716	2.500	2.896	99.3

The role of containers

In freight transport

The birth of these iron boxes brings many practical benefits. Simultaneously, They also contribute significantly to the trade process, import and export of goods. Specifically:

• Limit costs in loading and unloading goods and preserving and transporting goods
• Limit damage caused by theft
• Save costs in insuring goods in circulation
• Improve labor efficiency, Helps load and unload more goods
• Using containers helps ships carry more goods
• Ensuring the distribution of domestic goods by truck, Cargo ships are easy and convenient
• Contribute to promoting globalized trade.

  

In life

In life, Old containers can be utilized:

• Make a warehouse
• Create architectural works, cafe,…
• Work in an office, housing, Unique style vending cart
• Develop container rental service

Conclude

Above is some information about containers and specialized containers on the market. Hopefully the above information helps you clearly understand the concept and factors related to content.

If you need to use international freight transportation services, please contact us immediately Logistics power for detailed advice.

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Cuong Quoc Freight Forwarding Company Limited

Office: 7th floor, Parami Building, 140 Bach Dang, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Hotline: 0972 66 71 66

Email: info@cql.com.vn

Website: https://cql.com.vn/