Shipping Containers 101: More Than Just a Metal Box

In today’s logistics world, the shipping container is truly indispensable. Yet it’s easy to forget how recent this revolution actually is. The very first container ship, the MS Fairland, only docked in Rotterdam in 1966, carrying a modest 266 containers. Fast forward to today, and the largest container vessels can take on an astonishing 24,000 TEU.

That’s progress at scale. But before we get lost in big numbers, let’s rewind to the basics: not all containers are the same.

The Most Common Containers

We’ve created a simple illustration to break down the most frequently used types. Here are the essentials:

• 20’ container (TEU): “Twenty-foot equivalent unit.” Standard size for smaller loads.

• 40’ container (FEU): Exactly double the length of a TEU.

• 45’ container: At 13.5 meters, slightly longer but less commonly used.

You’ll also encounter terms like:

• FCL (Full Container Load): You fill the whole container.

• LCL (Less than Container Load): You ship pallets that share space with others.

A standard container measures 8'6" (2.59m) in height. However, the most popular choice is the 40'HC, which offers valuable extra space at 9’6” (2.89m) height.

Apart from these standard sizes, there are several other types, including:

Reefers

Reefer containers are used for frozen or refrigerated cargo that needs to maintain a specific temperature during transportation.

Flat Racks

Flat Rack containers are ideal for cargo that is too wide to fit inside a normal container.

Open tops

For cargo that is higher than the roof of a container, we have Open Top containers.

From TEU to FEU, from standard to high cube, knowing your containers helps you optimize space, costs, and efficiency. In a world where every centimeter and every euro counts, the “black box” is far from simple: it’s the building block of global trade.

In this blog, we’ve covered the essentials of shipping containers and their role in global trade. But this is just the beginning. Do you want to know more about containers, logistics, or how Berkman Forwarding can make a difference for your business? Give us a call, send us an email, or continue browsing our website. At Berkman Forwarding, we’re not just moving containers: we’re helping you move your business forward, and always happy to assist!

Get in touch!