Shipping bulk goods that need to be loaded by crane require a form of specialized shipping container called an open-top shipping container. The result of another clever ‘out of the box’ modification to the original general-purpose shipping containers, open-top shipping containers are designed to transport bulky or heavy cargo that either won’t fit through normal container doors or else require a crane for efficient loading. General industrial goods, pipes, steel bars, cables, iron ore, mining materials, and logs are just some examples of the types of goods that can be transported in an open-top shipping container.
Open-top shipping containers help make loading bulk goods with a crane easy and efficient, and at ACN Storage, we have 20-foot and 40-foot open-top shipping containers available both for sale and f.
Note: The roof opening is smaller than the container’s internal dimensions due to the protrusion of the top side rails, which are needed to support the roof bows and the stubs.
| Specifications | 20′ Open Top Container | 40′ Open Top Container |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Cubic Capacity | 32.0 m3 | 64 m3 |
| Max Gross Weight | 21,832 kg | 28,280 kg |
| Tare Weight | 2,177 kg | 4,300 kg |
| Dimensions | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20′ Open Top External | 6.06 m (20′) | 2.44 m (8′) | 2.90 m (9’6”) |
| 20′ Open Top Internal | 5.80 m | 2.29 m | 2.66 m |
| 40′ Open Top External | 12.19 m (40′) | 2.44 m (8′) | 2.90 m (9’6”) |
| 40′ Open Top Internal | 12.00 m | 2.29 m | 2.66 m |
| Open Top Door Size | 2.34 m | 2.58 m |
For open-top shipping containers, the goods are loaded through the top by crane or other top-loading machinery. Once the container is loaded, attachable roof bows are placed over the top, and a wind and water-resistant tarpaulin with heavy-duty eyelets are then tightly secured over the bows and container. This is then lashed to special lashing rings in the floor or bottom side rail of the container to achieve a watertight, windproof seal.
The containers can then be stacked like general-purpose shipping containers. Whilst the heavy-duty tarpaulins are extremely durable, waterproof, and secure, some customers do prefer the extra security and protection of a hard top roof, which is of course also available.
If you’re shipping large, awkward goods that are taller than a standard container’s height, an open-top container may sound as though it would be ideal for your purposes, but it’s not. Contrary to what you may expect, open-top shipping containers do not remain open-topped once they have been loaded. The roof that bows to form part of an open-top shipping container serves two purposes: firstly to support the tarpaulin, and secondly (and importantly) to provide stability to the container’s structure. So the tarpaulin and roof bows rule out using an open-top container for tall goods without a roof.
A flat rack container may be a better option for tall and awkward goods that don’t fit into a container, or even another shipping container solution altogether. At ACN Storage, we know all the best ways to transport your goods, so give us a call and we’ll put our heads together to work out the best option for your needs.