Find out more about the different sea container types and container dimensions

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Dry containers


Dry containers (DC) are the most used type of container in the world: 90% of goods shipped by sea are loaded in dry containers. The 20-foot and 40-foot cargo containers are made of aluminum or steel and are suitable for all types of cargo. Aluminum containers have a slightly larger payload than steel, and steel dry containers have a slightly larger internal cube.


Dry container dimensions


The specific dimensions and capacities of dry containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container and the container owner. The specifications listed below are representative of the majority of containers available.


20 ft dry container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
2300 25000 kg 33,2 m3 5,9 m 2,35 m 2,39 m 2,34 m 2,28 m
5071 lbs 55126,9 lbs 1172 cu ft 19,4 ft 7,7 ft 7,9 ft 7,7 ft 7,5 ft

40 ft dry container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
3750 27600 kg 67,7 m3 12,03 m 2,35 m 2,39 m 2,34 m 2,28 m
8268,8 lbs 61200 lbs 2389 cu ft 39,5 ft 7,7 ft 7,9 ft 7,7 ft 7,5 ft

High cube dry containers 


High cube dry containers ensure that you gain an extra foot (12 inches, about 30cm) in height compared with dry containers. The high cube dry containers are ideal for light, voluminous or bulky cargo. These extra volume containers are made in 40' and 45' sizes in steel and aluminium.


High cube dry container dimensions

Specific dimensions and capacity of high cube dry containers may vary depending on the container manufacturer, the age of the container and the container owner. The specifications listed below are, however, representative for the majority of high cube dry containers.


40ft high cube dry container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
3940 kg 28560 kg 76,4 m3 12,03 m 2,35 m 2,70 m 2,34 m 2,58 m
8687,7 lbs 62974,8 lbs 2696,9 cu ft 39,5 ft 7,7 ft 8,9 ft 8,9 ft 8,5 ft

45ft high cube dry container

Tare weight Payload capacity Cubic capacity Internal length Internal width Internal height Door opening width Door opening height
4820 kg 27860 kg 86 m3 13,56 m 2,35 m 2,70 m 2,34 m 2,58 m
10628,1 lbs 61431,3 lbs 3035,8 cu ft 44,5 ft 7,7 ft 8,9 ft 8,9 ft 8,5 ft