What is General 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.

General Cargo Container

(1) General purpose (dry cargo) container

It is suitable for the widest varieties of cargo. It is fully enclosed and weatherproof, having rigid walls, roof and floor, with at least one of its walls, either end wall (end loading) or side wall (side loading), equipped with doors.

Please see Dimension of General Purpose Containers for the related information.

(2) Specific purpose container

It is used to facilitate the packing (loading) and emptying (unloading) of container other than by means of doors at one side of the container, and for other specific purposes like ventilation.

Closed ventilated container

It is used for the carriage of cargo, such as hides, that cannot stand excessive moisture. It is similar to the dry cargo container with specially designed natural or mechanical (forced) ventilation.

Open top container

It is similar to the dry cargo container except that it has no rigid roof, but has a movable or removable cover (e.g. a cover made of canvas, plastic or reinforced plastic material) supported on movable or removable roof bows. The open top container is used for machinery, sheet glass, and other heavy, bulky or long objects.

Platform (flat rack)
It does not have a superstructure, that is, rigid side walls and load-carrying structures. The term load refers to static/dynamic form of load (not cargo load) or forces arising out of the lifting, handling, securement and transporting of container. It is equipped with top and bottom corner fittings. The corner fittings (see diagram in the Dimension of General Purpose Containers) provide means of supporting, stacking, handling and securing the container. The flat rack is used for machinery, lumber, and other heavy or large objects.

Platform based containers open sided