BEMAR, international logistics operator

Tools for international trade

The freight container

Intermodal transport containers | Air transport containers

This is the cargo transport unit (CTU) most used in global freight traffic.

The container is a transport container capable of ensuring repeated use without breaking the load in the event of transhipment between different transport modes or vehicles. This versatility has made intermodal transport possible and enabled the exponential growth of international trade.

There are models of containers for every transportation need, all of which are stackable and equipped with devices on the corners and holes in the base to allow horizontal or vertical handling, stacking and attachment to other containers and the transport vehicle.

The main sizes are 20, 40 and 45 feet as well as high-capacity high cube containers (HC).

The capacities of container ships and container terminals are measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) which are equivalent to a 20-foot container (6.10 m).

Contenedores de transporte intermodal

Contenedor de carga general (dry container)

	*Dry container*
	interior measurements			Capacity and payload		With doors open
	Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum Load	Width	Height
20′	5.898	2.352	2.393	33,2	21.740/28.230#	2.340	2.280
40′	12.032	2.352	2.393	67,7	26.630	2.340	2.280
HC	12.032	2.352	2.698	76,3	26.520	2.340	2.585
45′	13.556	2.352	2.695	86	27.910	2.340	2.579

This is the most common container used to load general dry goods packed in pallets, boxes, barrels, etc. Made of steel, it is waterproof and sealed with floor, roof, side walls and rigid ends. It is equipped with doors at the head and is loaded through them with the help of forklifts and pallet trucks.

Contenedor frigorífico (reefer container)

	*reefer container*
	Interior measurement			Capacity and payload
	Lenght	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum Load
20′	5.444	2.284	2.267	28,5	21.135/27.160
40′	11.583	2.284	2.250	58,7	26.580
HC	11.583	2.286	2.556	67,9	26.380
45′	13.102	2.286	2.509	75,4	27.300

This is a temperature controlled container, made of aluminium or aluminium and stainless steel. It is ideal for transporting perishable goods – meat, fruit, etc. It has a refrigeration unit to maintain the temperature independently as low as -30°C, and it may be connected to the ship, transport vehicle or terminal to draw power for its operation. Some refrigerated containers can control the degree of humidity inside.

Contenedor sin techo (open top container)

	*Open top container*
	Dimensiones internas			Capacity and payload
	Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
20′	5.900	2.330	2.337	32,6	21.740
40′	12.025	2.330	2.337	65,8	26.410

This container does not have a rigid roof, which enables it to be loaded by cranes and covered with a flexible and removable such as a reinforced plastic tarpaulin or a detachable rigid panel, for example. Made of steel, it may have doors on the front or side panels and is especially useful for large loads such as glass, marble, construction material, wood or bulky machinery.

Contenedor plataforma (flat rack container)

	*Flat rack container*
	Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
	Length	Width	Height	Volume	Máximum load
20′	5.628	2.178	2.159	–	21.740
40′	11.762	2.178	1.986	–	26.410

This container is comprised of a steel platform without any other superstructure or with fixed or foldable front and back panels that can be of different heights. It is used when the characteristics of the goods to be transported do not fit into any other type of container. It is especially suitable for heavy and bulky items such as machinery, cables, drums, reels and sheet steel, heavy vehicles and forestry products.

Contenedor de costado abierto (open side)

	Open side
	Interior measurements			Capacity and payload		With doors open
	Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load	Width	Height
20′	5.896	2.310	2.255	31	22.470	2.236	1.960

This is a container open on one or both sides. It is used to load merchandise that, due to its length, is hard to handle through the head. It is made of steel.

	*ISO tank container*
	Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
	Lenght	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
20′	–	–	–	21	27.410

This is used to transport liquid bulk cargos (oil, plastic, resin, latex, milk, beer, wine, mineral water, etc.) and some dangerous substances, such as toxic, corrosive or highly flammable liquids. It consists of an aluminium or stainless steel tank anchored to a chassis or support structure with the necessary accessories for securing it to the fixings on ships, vehicles and wagons, or for stacking it on top of another container.

Meaning of the first two digits of the containers’s serial number
	Dry container					Reefer container				Open top container	Flat rack container
20′	0	3	5	6	8	22	23	25	26	52	92
40′	1	4	7			20	21	24	27	54	94
HC	96					29				–	–

Notes:

The dimensions are expressed in millimetres (mm), capacity in cubic meters (m3) and weight in kilograms (kg).

The red loading line on the side wall interior of the refrigerated container indicates the permitted loading height.

Aircraft containers

These containers are for air freight cargo whose shape is adaptable to the aircraft fuselage. They are made of aluminium.

P1P
Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
Lenght	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
3.170	2.230	1.620	11,9	6.033

	P6P flat pallet with net
	Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
	Lenght	Width	Height	Volume	MAximum load
10′	3.170	2.430	1.620	21,2	6.804

PLA half pallet with net
Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
3.170	1.530	1.620	7,2	3.175

	PARA flat pallet with net
	Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
	Lenght	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
16′	4.970	2.430	2.430	26,8	11.300

	PGA flat pallet with net
	Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
	Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
20′	6.040	2.430	2.430	33,2	11.340

AMA rectangular container
Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum
3.170	2.430	2.430	17,5	6.804

AMD contoured container
Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
3.170	243	243	19,9	6.800

	AGA box container
	Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
	Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
20′	6.040	2.430	2.430	33,0	11.340

AAF
Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
4.060	2.240	1.630	–	6.033

AAU contoured container
Interior measurements			Capacity and payload
Length	Width	Height	Volume	Maximum load
4.720	2.240	1.620	14,2	6.033

BEMAR, international logistics operator

The freight container

Contenedores de transporte intermodal

Aircraft containers

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