When it comes to intercontinental shipping, the most popular
container size is the 20-foot container. It is used extensively for
short-distance ocean shipping and still remains the primary container for most
ocean carriers; and is used for everything from small shipments to full reefer
containers.
It was originally designed to fit the dimensions of railroad
cars. It is used primarily for intra-continental shipping, typically between
East Coast and West Coast ports. Unlike the IICL High Cube container, the
20-foot general purpose container is not a standard size used by ocean
carriers.
Key Features:
·
Other than the High Cube,
the General Purpose 20-foot container is the most commonly used container in
the ocean freight industry.
·
It is the standard
container for most domestic carriers and has been used extensively for
short-distance ocean shipping.
·
The 20-foot container is
the most versatile of the standard container sizes and is one of the most
cost-effective ways to ship smaller amounts of cargo over shorter distances.
·
The 20-foot container is
also one of the most commonly used containers on the railroads.