International Maritime Shipping Container Standard Load Capacity Chart

What is the Load Capacity of an International Seafaring Container? Common Standard Load Capacities for Various Container Types

In the fields of international trade and logistics, international seafaring containers are essential carriers for goods transportation. They not only bear the majority of global trade weight but also ensure efficient and safe transportation through standardized design. Then, what exactly is the load capacity of an international seafaring container? To better understand this issue, we need to start from different types of containers and their standard load capacities.

Firstly, one of the most common types of containers is the 20-foot standard dry cargo container Dry Container. The internal dimensions of this type of container are approximately 5.9 meters long, 2.35 meters wide, and 2.39 meters high. Its maximum allowable gross weight is usually around 24 tons, while its effective load capacity generally falls between 21-22 tons. Taking data from 2025 as an example, a well-known shipping company stated that their 20-foot containers can carry about 20 tons of cargo in practical operations. This means that this type of container is very suitable for transporting lightweight but voluminous items such as electronic products or textiles.

Secondly, another widely used container is the 40-foot standard dry cargo container. Compared with the 20-foot container, its length doubles to 12.2 meters, while the width and height remain unchanged. The maximum allowable gross weight for the 40-foot container increases to 30.48 tons, with an effective load capacity of about 27-28 tons. According to information provided by a logistics company, these containers are often used to transport bulk goods, such as machinery equipment or construction materials. It is worth mentioning that in recent years, due to the development of e-commerce, more and more companies have chosen to use 40-foot containers to meet the needs of cross-border e-commerce businesses.

Besides the above two basic models, there are many special-purpose container types. For instance, refrigerated containers Reefer Containers are specifically designed for transporting food or other perishable items that require low-temperature preservation. These containers come in both 20-foot and 40-foot specifications, but their load capacities will vary depending on the thickness of the insulation layer and the design of the cooling system. For example, the maximum allowable gross weight for a 40-foot refrigerated container is typically 30.48 tons, but because space must be reserved for the cooling equipment and insulation materials, its effective load capacity may decrease to around 25 tons.

There are also non-standard-sized containers, such as high-cube containers HighCube Containers and open-top containers OpenTop Containers. High-cube containers are about 0.6 meters taller than regular containers, allowing them to accommodate taller and larger goods; whereas open-top containers lack fixed top structures, making it easier to load oversized or heavy goods. Although these special types of containers have larger volumes, their load capacities are often subject to additional restrictions, and specific values should refer to the technical parameters provided by the manufacturer.

In summary, the load capacity of international seafaring containers mainly depends on factors such as their type, size, and design purpose. For most ordinary dry cargo containers, the effective load capacity of a 20-foot container is approximately 21-22 tons, while a 40-foot container can reach up to 27-28 tons. However, when facing specific requirements, we still need to consider other factors such as the density of the goods, packaging form, and port facility conditions to more accurately assess the actual carrying capacity of each container. In short, understanding these basic knowledge points helps us make more scientific and reasonable decisions when conducting international trade or logistics planning.