The information of each container will be displayed on the right side of the door, including Maximum Gross Weight (GROSS KGS), Tare Weight (TARE KGS), Maximum Payload (NET KGS), Cubic Capacity (CU CAP). The weight and volume of each container are different. We no need to consider the volume and just focus on the weight capacity is ok. Because the weight is much larger than the volume, in order to save transportation costs, our goal is to find a way to load the goods to their max “NET WEIGHT”.
The common three size container information is as below
| Item | 20GP | 40GP | 40HQ |
| Width(mm) | 2352 | 2352 | 2352 |
| Height(mm) | 2390 | 2390 | 2694 |
| Length(mm) | 5898 | 12024 | 12024 |
| Gross Weight(kg) | 30100-30500 | 32200-32800 | 32200-32800 |
| Tare weight(kg) | 2000-2200 | 3700-4000 | 3900-4100 |
| Payload(kg) | 28100-28400 | 28700-28950 | 28700-28950 |
| Cubic Capacity(m3) | 32-33.5 | 67.2-68 | 76-76.6 |
In this article, we will only discuss 20ft containers for steel products. other containers are not suitable for the following introduction.
What factors will affect the loading weight of the container?
The density of Steel products is 7.85ton/m3, for example, the maximum loading of a container is about 28 tons, according to its density only about 4 cubic meters is enough. But not all steel products can be loaded to the maximum weight. The following factors will affect the loading weight of the container.
1. The length of the steel
Straight into the container:
the maximum length of the straight into container is 5850mm, in our experience, all steel products by 5850mm can be loaded to the maximum weight except for square tubes and round pipes with thickness of less than 1.2mm.
Diagonal into the container:
it also can be loaded into a 20ft container with 6000mm length, but there are many restrictions to follow.
- The entire width of steel cannot exceed 850mm, and the max length of steel cannot exceed 6030mm. the container door will not be able to close beyond these two ranges.
- Each floor must be stable. it will be a serious threat to the safety of the vessel if the steel falls down in the container during sea transportation.
- It is only suitable for solid steel products because they don’t need more space loading, such as angle steel, channel steel, H-beam, flat steel, square steel, etc. It is not suitable for hollow products, such as square pipes, round pipes, because these steels need more space to load.
2. The width of the steel
Straight into the container:
As long as the width of the whole steel is less than the width of the container door and the length does not exceed 5850mm, it can be loaded with maximum weight.
Diagonal into the container:
it can hold 3 bundles per floor if the width of a bundle does not exceed 280mm; it can hold 2 bundles per floor if the width of a bundle does not exceed 420mm; if the width exceeds 420mm, it cannot be loaded to the maximum weight of 20ft container.
3. The volume of the steel
Straight into the container:
As long as the length is not more than 5850mm, it can be loaded at maximum weight and no need to consider the volume of bundle.
Diagonal into the container:
it can be loaded to the maximum weight if the maximum volume does not exceed 10.2 cubic meters.
Coils in the container:
The coils diameter does not exceed 1250mm, and the height does not exceed 2000mm. it can load 11 coils into container, about 22 tons.
Sheets in the container:
The width does not exceed 2200mm and the length does not exceed 5850mm, all of sheets can be loaded to the maximum weight.
Why are 20ft containers the most cost-effective for steel?
- Although the space of a 40ft container is twice that of a 20ft container, their maximum loading weight is almost the same, both are about 28 tons.
- The shipping price of a 20ft container is much cheaper than that of a 40ft container, almost half the price of a 40ft container.
- The loading and unloading fee for a 20ft container is cheaper than that 40ft container.
- The port charge of a 20ft container is cheaper than a 40ft container.
- If it is necessary to transship during the voyage, it is easier to arrange a 20ft container than a 40ft container at the transit port, and the total shipping time is shorter than a 40ft container.
Minimum load to 28 tons
Through the above discussion, steel products can always find a way to load the maximum weight into a 20ft container, Sea freight will also be divided equally to the minimum, so when signing a contract, you can clearly inform the exporter that must load into 28 tons if by container shipment.
