ISO Container Specifications

Known as intermodal containers, the standard steel boxes used for mobile storage across land and sea are made according to strict specifications established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that develops and publishes international standards for just about everything. These shipping container design standards cover everything from size to the quality of steel used for construction, as well as the allowed gross weight of the ISO container.

Standards for an ISO Container

There are a number of different standards that specify standards for shipping container design. While the vast majority of containers are categorized for general purpose use, there are separate standards for reefers – an insulated shipping container that is also refrigerated – and other even more specialised units.

All ISO standards are available for purchase and they cannot be accessed unless paid for, although there are some “informative sections” of the ISO standards that are available publicly. These include the accepted definition of an ISO container and of a freight container.

A freight container is intended for permanent and repeated use and should be designed specifically to facilitate transportation of goods. It should also be fitted with devices that will make it easy to handle and to transfer from one type of transportation to another. Freight containers that meet ISO specifications should be both easy to fill and empty and they should have an internal volume of at least one cubic meter.
An ISO container is a type of freight container that meets the relevant ISO container standards.

In addition, there are freely available definitions for both container structures and components.

These are some of the more important standards that relate to any ISO container used for shipping:

ISO 830:1999 that was reviewed and confirmed in 2016, is basically an ISO container dictionary that covers the “vocabulary” used to accurately describe freight containers.
ISO 9891-1 specifies the various parts and components that must be used to construct an ISO container.
ISO 1496 defines the internal dimensions for shipping container design.
ISO 668: 2013 This is the standard for general purpose containers used for mobile storage that specifies their external dimensions as well as the minimal internal dimensions for door openings. There are currently amendments to this standard that are being developed.
ISO 6346: 1995 This standard specifies what is required for the correct coding, identification, and marking of any ISO container according to the standard followed for manufacture. You will see this coding on the outside of any ISO container.

In addition, there are several standards that cover the specification and testing of:

thermal containers
tank containers that are manufactured for liquids, gases, and pressurized dry bulk goods
non-pressurized containers used for dry bulk goods
freight containers intended for platform and platform-based steel containers that don’t have side walls and are used for barrels, drums, and other items

There is also a standard, ISO 3874: 1997, that covers handling and securing of containers that are generally used for mobile storage.

Buy or Rent an ISO Container From Almar

Almar sells and rents out both new and used shipping containers in South Africa, Africa, and parts of the Middles East. All our containers are made to ISO standards. Contact us for details.

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Assessing Shipping Container Rental Prices

If you are considering leasing or renting a container the first thing you will want to know is how much it will cost you. Container rental prices do vary, not only from region to region and the length of time you rent for, but also in terms of size, age, condition, and customisation.

Generally, container rental prices will be greater the bigger and newer the container is. Converted shipping containers will also cost a lot more than standard steel containers used for mobile storage.

So, the first thing to do is assess your needs.

What do you plan to use the container for? This will affect both the size and type of container chosen.
Where are you going to use it? This will affect delivery as well as the company you hire from. You might find a company that offers lower rental prices, but if they don’t operate in your region the delivery price might be a lot higher and this could impact on the overall cost factor.
How long do you plan to rent the container for? Generally, container hire prices will be lower for longer periods of time, certainly, monthly rates will be a lot less than if you only rent for a few weeks.

Shipping Container Rental Prices & Sizes

As mentioned above, the size of any shipping container will affect container rental prices. But then there are not a lot of choices. An ISO container is manufactured according to strict international standards and sizes are specified. If you are looking at containers used for dry freight and mobile storage (even if you plan to use it to store items on site) there are basically five sizes to choose from, all of which have been rounded off to the nearest cm:

The smallest containers are 3 m (or 10 ft) long and about 2.5 m wide. They are all 2.6 m high. These are great where space is at a premium.
The most commonly used containers are double this length (6 m or 20 ft) but the same width and height. However, there is also a “high cube” option that is 2.9 m in height.
The largest standard shipping containers are 12 m (40 ft) long. The general purpose option is the same height and width of the smallest containers, and the high cube option is 2.9 m high.

Refrigerated shipping containers and specialised containers manufactured for unconventional or over-sized cargo have different dimensions.

Shipping Container Types

When considering container hire prices you will find that most refer to standard steel general purpose containers intended for storage of dry freight. These are suitable for mobile storage – if you plan to transport dry goods from one location to another – or for storage in one particular place, for example, to keep building materials safe, secure, and dry on a construction site.

If you are storing or transporting perishable goods, then you are going to need an insulated shipping container that is refrigerated. These are commonly known as reefer containers, and they are designed to keep frozen or perishable items at the right temperature, according to your specifications. Options include 6 m (20 ft) containers that are 6 m x 2.4 m x 2.6 m high; 12 m (40 ft) high cube containers that measure 12 m x 2.4 m x 2.9 m; and reefers designed for static storage that are 6 m x 2.4 m x 2.6 m in size.

Converted Shipping Containers

If you need a shipping container that can be used as an office, a shop, or even for accommodation, container rental prices will be considerably higher, and you will need to search more specifically for container conversion prices or similar.

Shipping Containers from Almar

The Almar Container Group, headquartered in Durban South Africa, has the full range of shipping containers for hire and for sale. We also undertake container conversions.

Almar operates throughout Africa and has offices in Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and in the Middle East.

If you are assessing shipping container rental prices for use in our area of operation, please contact us to see how we can meet your needs.

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