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Container Specifications

20ft & 40ft Dry Container
Most commonly used container type for dry cargo in range, boxes/pallets to GOH or in between. The dimensions are stated below.
20ft Dry Container
40ft Dry Container
20ft40ft
Internal Length5.9m / 19.33ft12.03m / 39.5ft
Internal Width2.35m / 7.75ft2.35m / 7.8ft
Internal Height2.39m / 7.83ft2.39m / 7.9ft
Tare Weight2000kg3470kg
Payload capacity28480kg27010kg
Cubic capacity33.2CBM67.6CBM
20HC & 40HC Dry Container

Similar to standard 20ft, 40ft or 45ft containers but with a I ft height difference which provide extra CBM space in High Cube containers.

20HC40HC
Internal Length5.96m / 19.33ft12.03m / 39.42ft
Internal Width2.35m / 7.75ft2.35m
Internal Height2.69m / 8.83ft2.69m
Tare Weight2420kg3660kg
Payload capacity28060kg26820kg
Cubic capacity37.28CBM76.4CBM
Reefer Containers

Refrigerated containers (usually -30oC to 300C) for temperature sensitive cargo; perishables (Vegetables, fruits etc.) Reefer units are not designed to reduce the temperature of cargo, but maintain the existing cooled temperature (chilled/frozen/controlled temperature) of the goods while shipping. Maintain better fresh air circulation, specially need for perishables as they produce gases which can damage cargo. Humidity control equipment remove accumulated water inside the container which can be a potential threat.

20ft20HC40ft40HC45ft
Internal Length5.44m / 17.9ft5.506m / 17.9ft11.56m / 37.9ft11.58m / 38ft11.57m / 38ft
Internal Width2.29m / 7.5ft2.294m / 7.5ft2.28m / 7.5ft2.29m / 7.5ft2.27m / 7.4ft
Internal Height2.27m / 7.5ft2.544m / 8.5ft2.25m / 7.4ft2.4m / 7.9ft2.55m / 8.4ft
Tare Weight3080kg32504800kg4480kg4850kg
Payload capacity27400kg2723027700kg29520kg29150kg
Cubic capacity28.3CBM32.2CBM59.3CBM67.3CBM67CBM
Flat rack container

Flat rack containers are open containers having walls only on short ends and used to contain OOG cargo which exceeds the dimensions of standard containers. Project cargo are shipped on flat racks due to the abnormal dimensions exceeding the standard container size limits.

20ft40ft
Internal Length5.94m / 19.5ft12.13m / 39.8ft
Internal Width2.35m / 7.7ft2.4m / 7.9ft
Tare Weight2,360kg5,000kg
Payload capacity30,140kg40,000kg
Cubic capacity32.7CBM62.2CBM
Double Door container

Also known as TUNNEL containers. Doors at both front and rear ends of the container easing loading and unloading. Hence, able load two types of cargo at the same time from each side after separating in middle if needed.

20ft DD40ft DD40HC DD
Internal Length5.89m / 19.3ft12.03m / 39.5ft12.03m / 39.5ft
Internal Width2.34m / 7.8ft2.34m / 7.8ft2.34m / 7.8ft
Internal Height2.38m / 7.9ft2.38m / 7.9ft2.69m / 8.9ft
Tare Weight2,700kg4,700kg5,200kg
Payload capacity27,780kg27,300kg28,600kg
Cubic capacity33CBM65.3CBM76.3CBM
Side door Container

Similar to the dimensions of standard container types and Double door containers. But manufactured with the requirement of loading and unloading oversized cargo which exceeds the front/rear door dimensions. Side door, ease the process by providing wider loading door space.

20ft SD40ft SD40HC SD
Internal Length5.89m / 19.3ft12.03m / 39.5ft12.03m / 39.5ft
Internal Width2.34m / 7.8ft2.34m / 7.8ft2.34m / 7.8ft
Internal Height2.38m / 7.9ft2.38m / 7.9ft2.69m / 8.9ft
Tare Weight2,700kg4,700kg5,200kg
Payload capacity27,780kg27,300kg28,600kg
Cubic capacity33CBM65.3CBM76.3CBM
Open top Container
20ft40ft
Internal Length5.89m / 19.4ft12.03m / 39.5ft
Internal Width2.35m / 7.8ft2.4m / 7.9ft
Internal Height2.35m / 7.8ft2.34m / 7.8ft
Tare Weight2,260kg3,980kg
Payload capacity28,220kg26,500kg
Cubic capacity32.7CBM66.7CBM

Useful Links

Sri Lanka Customs
Sri Lanka Port Authority
Sri Lankan Cargo
Bandaranaike International Airport
Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Export Development Board
South Asian Gate Terminal