What is Specific Cargo Container

Containers are available in configurations to take almost every kind of cargo and mode of transportation (ocean, air, road, and rail).

Containers for Intercontinental Use
In terms of the type of cargo for which the containers are mainly intended, they are classified as general cargo container and specific cargo container.

Specific Cargo Container

(1) Thermal container (reefer)

It has insulated walls, doors, roof, and floor, which limit the range of temperature loss or gain. It is used for perishable goods like meat, fruits and vegetables.

Insulated container
It does not use any device for cooling and/or heating.

Refrigerated container (with expendable refrigerant)
It uses dry ice or liquefied gases. It does not require external power supply or fuel supply.

Mechanically refrigerated container
It uses a refrigerating appliance, that is, the mechanical compressor or absorption unit.

Heated container
It uses the heater, that is, a heat-producing appliance.

Refrigerated and heated container
It uses the refrigerating appliance (mechanical or expendable refrigerant) and heater.

(2) Tank container

It is used for the carriage of bulk gases and liquids like chemicals.

(3) Dry bulk container

It is used for the carriage of dry solids in bulk without packaging, such as grains and dry chemicals. It consists of a cargo-carrying structure firmly secured within the intercontinental container framework.

(4) Named cargo types

It consists of various types of containers, such as automobile (car) containers and livestock (cattle and poultry) containers.

Unit Load Device (ULD)
The unit load device (ULD) is the air equivalent of the ISO container. Due to its unique shape resembling an igloo, the ULD is sometimes called the igloo (or iglu).
The air mode containers mainly are of the IATA (International Air Transport Association) types. The popular sizes of ULD include the IATA Type:

 
IATA Type
 
8 lower deck container,     60.4"     x 61.5"    x   64"
 
5 lower deck container,    88"    x   125"    x   64"
 
3 main deck container,    88"    x   125"   x   86"
 
Several other types of ULD are also in use worldwide.