Everything You Need to Know About Open-Top Shipping Containers
Open-top shipping containers may be considered specialty units, but they function much like standard shipping containers for storage and transport. The key difference? They can accommodate oversized items that wouldn’t fit inside a standard container due to height or irregular shape.
This makes them an excellent choice for industries that deal with large, bulky cargo that requires specialized handling. From construction sites moving steel beams to mining operations transporting raw materials, these containers provide a practical and efficient solution for businesses that need extra flexibility when it comes to storage and shipping.
What Makes Open-Top Containers Unique?
Constructed from durable corrugated steel, open-top shipping containers feature a removable soft roof or tarp secured with bows. This flexible design allows for easier loading, especially with cranes. Additionally, end doors provide another access point for more convenient handling.
Unlike standard containers with solid roofs, open-top containers offer a greater capacity, making them ideal for bulkier items. They typically come in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes, with some rare high-cube variations for even more vertical space.
Best Uses for Open-Top Containers
Open-top containers are the go-to solution for transporting and storing large, heavy, or awkwardly shaped items. They’re particularly useful for:
- Scrap metal
- Timber
- Pipes and cable spools
- Construction materials and debris
- Mining raw materials
- Machinery attachments
- Large tools
- Logs and bulky cargo
These containers make loading and unloading simpler by allowing cranes to carefully lower items directly into the open top. Once loaded, the container is covered with a tarp for protection. In cases where cargo exceeds standard height limits, a custom oversized tarp may be required, and this is an additional cost to consider.
Advantages of Open-Top Shipping Containers
- Easy loading and unloading, especially with cranes
- Ideal for oversized or irregularly shaped cargo
- Flexible access through top and end doors
- Durable construction for heavy loads
- Secure fastening with lashing rings
Limitations and Considerations
- Higher cost compared to standard containers
- Requires additional weather protection (e.g., custom tarps)
- Modified versions have reduced load capacity and resale value
- Limited availability of high-cube models
Open Top vs. Standard Shipping Containers
While both types of containers serve essential roles in the logistics and storage industry, open-top containers provide significant advantages when dealing with cargo that exceeds standard dimensions. They offer unmatched flexibility for transporting tall or irregularly shaped goods that would be difficult or impossible to fit inside a standard container. However, they require additional weatherproofing and securing measures, making them slightly more maintenance-intensive compared to their enclosed counterparts. Let’s compare features of open top shipping containers vs. standard shipping containers:
Open-Top Shipping Container Features
- Roof Type: Removable tarp
- Loading Access: Overhead and cargo doors
- Weather Protection: Requires tarp
- Ideal for: Bulky, tall, irregular cargo
Standard Shipping Container Features
- Roof Type: Solid metal roof
- Loading Access: Cargo doors only
- Weather Protection: Fully enclosed
- Ideal for: Standard palletized cargo
How Open-Top Containers Secure Cargo
To keep shipments safe and stable, open-top containers are equipped with lashing rings along the side rails and floor. These securing points ensure that cargo remains firmly in place during transit, reducing the risk of damage.
Additionally, these containers are frequently used for transporting bulk recycling materials and waste. Once weighed, these materials are loaded into containers and shipped to their destinations.
Factory-Built vs. Modified Open-Top Containers
There are two types of open-top containers:
- Factory-built open-top containers – Designed and manufactured with an open-top structure from the start, these provide the best durability, load capacity, and resale value.
- Modified open-top containers – Created by cutting the roof off a standard shipping container, these require extra structural reinforcements to compensate for the missing roof. While they are more affordable and readily available, they have lower load capacity, more restrictions on handling, and little to no resale value.
Key Features of Open-Top Shipping Containers
- Ideal for handling oversized, heavy, or awkward cargo
- Overhead or end-door loading options
- Protective PVC tarpaulin with removable rear header
- Secure lashing points for stability
- Choice of hardwood or plywood flooring
- Reinforced flooring to compensate for the lack of a solid roof
Since open-top containers require additional structural support, the floor is often slightly higher than that of standard dry shipping containers. This added strength ensures they can handle heavy loads effectively.
Industries That Use Open-Top Containers
- Construction (transporting beams, pipes, and debris)
- Mining & Energy (moving raw materials, cables, and equipment)
- Manufacturing (shipping oversized machinery parts)
- Recycling & Waste Management (bulk waste and scrap transport)
Beyond these core industries, open-top containers are also valuable in agriculture for transporting large farm equipment and hay bales, in the aerospace industry for shipping oversized aircraft components, and in the events industry for moving large staging and lighting equipment. Their adaptability makes them an essential asset for any industry dealing with cumbersome cargo that requires specialized loading and transportation solutions.
Need an Open-Top Container? Contact Transocean Equipment Management!
Transocean Equipment Management has years of experience in the shipping and storage industry, ensuring that you get the best container for your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for a new or used unit, we can help you navigate the available options and find a solution that fits your budget and logistical requirements.
If you require an open-top container for your storage or shipping needs, we’re here to help. Call us for a free quote and expert guidance on finding the right container for your requirements.
