Expertise in Handling and Stowage of Oversized Cargo

Out of gauge container types and their dimensions

When looking for containers for your OOG cargo, it’s important to compare the dimensions and payload capacity against the container type you’re after, to ensure your shipment will fit.
Let’s take a look at the three main out of gauge container types now, plus their uses and dimensions. 
Flat rack container
A flat rack is basically a container without a roof or walls on its long ends. This special container type is ideal for large, tall or oversized cargo.
Your goods are secured on a flat rack using lashing rings, which are wrapped tightly around the container walls and cargo, keeping it safe during transport. There are various types of lifting equipment that can be used to load cargo onto a flat rack. This includes cranes, reach stackers, straddle carriers and loaders.

Flat racks are suitable for transporting:
Construction equipment such as cranes, excavators, and bulldozers
Large industrial machinery like compressors, generators, and turbines
Cars, trucks, and buses
Yachts, sailboats and motorboats
Pipes and other extra-long cargo
And here’s the weight and capacity of 20ft and 40ft flat racks:
Dimensions

Tare weight
20ft 2,360kg / 5203.8 lbs
40ft 5,000kg / 11,025 lbs
Payload capacity
20ft 30,140 kg / 66,458.7 lbs
40ft 40,000kg / 88,200 lbs
Cubic capacity
20ft 32.7 m3 / 1,154.3 cu ft
40ft 62.2 m3 / 2,195.7 cu ft
Open top container
Open top containers are standard containers without a fixed steel roof. This container type usually comes with a tarpaulin sheet that can be removed during loading and unloading, and fitted during transport. This tarpaulin helps to protect OOG cargo from wind, rain and harsh sun.
To load cargo into an open top container, a crane is usually utilized to add or remove goods from the top. Other lifting equipment can also be used, including a forklift or front-end loader, depending on the cargo. Lashing rings then secure the cargo if needed, keeping shipments safe and holding them in place during transport.

Open tops are perfect for oversized machinery, construction equipment, vehicles, boats, and wood logs. They’re also useful on construction sites to store building materials that need to be accessed quickly and frequently.
Check out the weight and capacity of the 20ft, 40ft and 40ft open top container below, to see which size works for your shipment:
Dimensions

Tare weight
20ft 2,260kg / 5,982 lbs
40ft 3,980kg / 8,774 lbs
40ft HC 4,250kg / 9,370 lbs
Payload capacity
20ft 28,220 kg / 62,214 lbs
40ft 26,500kg / 58,422 lbs
40ft HC 28,250kg / 62,281 lbs
Cubic capacity
20ft 32.7 m3 / 1,155 cu ft
40ft 66.7 m3 / 2,356 cu ft
40ft HC 74.9 m3 / 2,645 cu ft
Hard top container
A hard top is similar to an open top, except that it has a hard, removable steel roof. Like the open top, this container type is perfect for loading cargo from the top or transporting goods that are too tall, long or large for a standard container. 

Hard tops are more suited for high-value cargo than open tops. This is because the hard roof provides better security than the tarpaulin of the open top. Keep this in mind when deciding between an open top and a hard top container. Like with an open top, a crane, forklift or front-end loader can be used to load cargo.
Have a look at the weight and capacity of hard tops of different sizes below, to see which one works for you:
Dimensions
Tare weight
20ft 2,260kg / 5,982 lbs
40ft 3,980kg / 8,774 lbs
40ft HC 5,200 kg / 11,470 lbs
Payload capacity
20ft 28,220 kg / 62,214 lbs
40ft 26,500kg / 58,422 lbs
40ft HC 28,600 kg / 63,052 lbs
Cubic capacity
20ft 32.7 m3 / 1,155 cu ft
40ft 66.7 m3 / 2,356 cu ft
40ft HC76.3 m3 / 2,694 ft3