Ocean Containers

The A to Z of Ocean Containers: A Complete Shipping Guide

The below estimate is assuming you have standard furniture items and boxes for a single-family residence. For customized volume calculation, you can use our CFT calculator to determine the volume accurately.

The below chart will assist you to determine the cubic feet volume you should expect depending on the number of bedrooms or square feet of your residence.

The below estimate is assuming you have standard furniture items and boxes for a single-family residence. For customized volume calculation, you can use our CFT calculator to determine the volume accurately.

NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
(OR)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
Small Studio
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
Under 600
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
360
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
Large Studio/ 1 Bedroom Apartment
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
600 - 1,000
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
432
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
2 Bedroom Apartment
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
1,000 - 1,200
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
720
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
2 Bedroom House/ 3 Bedroom Apartment
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
1,200 - 1,500
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
864
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
3 Bedroom House
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
1,500 - 1,800
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
1,152
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
3 Bedroom House (plus garage, attic, etc.)
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
1,800 - 2,000
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
1,368
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
4 Bedroom House
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
2,000 - 2,400
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
1,512 - 2,016
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
4 Bedroom House (plus garage, attic, etc.)
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
2,400 - 2,800
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
2,016 - 4,032
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
5 Bedroom House (plus garage, attic, etc.)
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
2,800 - 3,200
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
2,688 - 5,376
DIMENSIONS OF STORAGE UNIT
(OR)
SQUARE FEET OF STORAGE SPACE
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
5' x 10' Storage
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
50
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
432
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
10' x 10' Storage
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
100
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
864
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
10' x 20' Storage
(OR)
(or)
SQUARE FT. IN YOUR HOME
200*
APPROX. CUBIC FEET
1,512 - 2,016

Depending on volume you plan to move, below are different ocean container specifications. If your volume is under 500 CFT you should consider shipping by LCL (Less than Container Load)

Container Specification

Types of Ocean Containers

There are different types of ocean containers, each designed for a specific purpose. The most common types include dry containers, refrigerated containers, open-top containers, flat rack containers, and tank containers.

  • Dry Containers: These are standard containers that are used to transport dry goods such as electronics, clothing, furniture, and other non-perishable items.
  • Refrigerated Containers: Also known as reefers, these containers are used to transport perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and pharmaceuticals. They have a temperature-controlled environment that ensures the goods remain fresh during transit.
  • Open-Top Containers: These are containers that have no roof and are used to transport oversized goods such as machinery, construction equipment, and vehicles.
  • Flat Rack Containers: These containers are designed for transporting large, heavy, and bulky items such as machinery, pipes, and steel rods.
  • Tank Containers: These containers are used to transport liquids such as chemicals, fuels, and food-grade liquids.
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
20’
40’
40’ HIGH CUBE
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Interior Length
20’
5.919 m - 19′5
40’
12.051 m - 39′ 6 1/2
40’ HIGH CUBE
12.056 m - 39′ 6 1/2
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Interior Width
20’
2.286 m - 7′ 6
40’
2.286 m - 7′ 6
40’ HIGH CUBE
2.340 m - 7′8
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Interior Height
20’
2.380 m - 7′ 9 1/2
40’
2.380 m - 7′ 9 1/2
40’ HIGH CUBE
2.684 m - 8′ 9 1/2
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Door Opening Width
20’
2.340 m - 7′ 8
40’
2.340 m - 7′ 8
40’ HIGH CUBE
2.347 m - 7′ 8 1/4
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Door Opening Height
20’
2.278 m - 7′ 5 1/2
40’
2.278 m - 7′ 5 1/2
40’ HIGH CUBE
2.585 m - 8′ 5 3/4
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Tare
20’
1,900 kgs - 4,189 lb
40’
3,084 kgs - 6,799 lb
40’ HIGH CUBE
2,900 kgs - 6,393 lb
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Payload
20’
15,000 kgs - 33,000 lb
40’
20,000 kgs - 44,000 lb
40’ HIGH CUBE
20,000 kgs - 44,000 lb
APPROX. CUBIT FEE
Cubic Capacity
20’
33.0 cbm - 1,165 cft
40’
67.3 cbm - 2,377 cft
40’ HIGH CUBE
76.0 cbm - 2,684 cft

Sizes and Capacity of Ocean Containers

Ocean containers come in different sizes, with the most common being 20ft and 40ft containers. The 20ft container has a capacity of 1,170 cubic feet and can hold up to 10 standard pallets, while the 40ft container has a capacity of 2,390 cubic feet and can hold up to 20 standard pallets. There are also high cube containers that are one foot taller than standard containers, providing extra capacity.

Shipping Procedures for Ocean Containers

When shipping goods in ocean containers, it’s essential to understand the shipping procedures. These procedures include booking, loading, and customs clearance.

  • Booking: Before shipping your goods, you need to book a container with a shipping line or freight forwarder. You should provide information about the type of goods you are shipping, the size and weight of the cargo, and the destination port.
  • Loading: After booking the container, you need to load the goods into the container. It’s essential to ensure that the cargo is properly packed, labeled, and secured to avoid damage during transit.
  • Customs Clearance: When the container arrives at the destination port, it needs to go through customs clearance. You need to provide the necessary documentation, including the bill of lading, packing list, and commercial invoice.

Benefits of Using SFL Worldwide for Booking Ocean Containers

Booking ocean containers can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the shipping procedures. That’s where SFL Worldwide comes in. SFL Worldwide is a leading logistics provider that specializes in ocean freight, air freight, and ground transportation. Here are some of the benefits of using SFL Worldwide for booking ocean containers:

  • Expertise: SFL Worldwide has a team of experts who are knowledgeable about the shipping procedures and can guide you through the entire process.
  • Competitive Rates: SFL Worldwide offers competitive rates for ocean containers, helping you save money on shipping costs.
  • Tracking: SFL Worldwide provides real-time tracking for your ocean containers, allowing you to monitor your cargo’s location during transit.
  • Customs Clearance: SFL Worldwide can help you with customs clearance, ensuring that your cargo is cleared quickly and efficiently.

In conclusion, ocean containers are an essential part of the global trade industry, and understanding their types, sizes, capacity, and shipping procedures is crucial if you want to transport your goods overseas. SFL Worldwide offers expertise, competitive rates, tracking, and customs clearance services, making it the ideal logistics provider for booking ocean containers.

Whether you are shipping perishable goods, oversized items, or liquid cargo, SFL Worldwide can help you transport your goods safely and efficiently. Contact SFL Worldwide today to learn more about their ocean container services and how they can help you with your shipping needs.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, understanding everything about ocean containers is essential if you want to transport your goods overseas. From the types and sizes of containers to the shipping procedures and logistics providers, every detail matters when it comes to ocean container shipping.

Using the right logistics provider like SFL Worldwide can make all the difference in your shipping experience. With their expertise, competitive rates, tracking, and customs clearance services, you can be sure that your cargo will arrive safely and on time. So, don’t hesitate to contact SFL Worldwide today to book your ocean container and start shipping your goods across the sea.

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