PAKS BLOG

The construction of shipping containers is governed by strict criteria, which are contained in the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) and ISO standards. The most common material used to build containers is steel.

Frame

A frame made of steel profiles forms the basis of the entire container structure. The frame is composed of:

• 4 corner posts
• 2 longitudinal beams
• 2 longitudinal top beams
• 2 bottom cross beams
• 2 top cross beams – front and door
  Cross ribs, which are the floor of the container, are built into the lower beams along the entire length of the container. The 40-foot containers have a tunnel in the floor, the so-called gooseneck. The gooseneck lowers the overall height of the trailer and container.

Pockets for pitchforks

In smaller containers, there are special openings in the lower beams for forklift forks, so-called pockets. They can only be used to lift empty containers. The spacing of the pockets is regulated by ISO standards.

Roof, walls, floor

The roof and walls of the shipping container are made of trapezoidal sheet metal. Container plywood or planks are usually used for the floor. A floor made of planks is easy to maintain and highly resistant to damage. The roof of shipping containers is made of profiled trapezoidal sheet metal, which is approximately 2mm thick. The roof is connected to the frame by welding.

Door

The doors of shipping containers are watertight. In some types of containers, the doors are located on the side wall, sliding or tilting. They are usually double and mounted on hinges welded to the posts.

Corner castings

Corners castings are four pieces welded into each corner of the frame. The upper corners allow loading and unloading of the container, while the lower corners allow fixing and securing the container on a trailer. The corners are made of specially reinforced steel.

Do you want to know how we handle containers? Click here and find out more.