Big Shipping Containers
If you have a lot of gear to ship or store, then big shipping containers can be the best option. In this guide we look at the largest shipping containers available to buy in the UK, and we offer a few tips to help you get the best value from your containers.
When storing goods, the biggest shipping containers will offer the best value secure weatherproof storage anywhere in the world.
For exporting cargo, big shipping containers will be the most economical way to ship large volumes of goods (circa 10-20 tonnes).
What types of big shipping container are available?
Here are the common characteristics for big shipping containers:
Length Options
40ft Shipping Containers – as the name suggests these are all 40ft long and can come in a few width and height configurations
45ft shipping containers – same as 40ft containers, but yes – these are all 45ft long!
48, 53 and 60ft shipping containers.
These sizes of shipping container do exist, they are in use in north America only. UK (and European) container infrastructure and roads are not suitable for containers of this size, as such these will not commonly be available in the UK or cost effective as a storage option.
Width Options
Standard Width Shipping Containers
A standard shipping container will be 8ft wide. All standard ISO shipping containers are as standard exactly 8ft wide externally.
Pallet-wide Shipping Containers
Pallet-wide shipping containers were developed specifically for the shipment of euro pallets around europe. they are approx 2-5cm wilder externally (circa 2 inches) which allows for euro pallets to be stacked 2 wide inside the shipping container.
40ft pallet-wide shipping containers are available but rare, 45ft pallet-wide shipping containers are more commonplace.
NB Top tips if looking for a storage container: the doors on a pallet-wide shipping container are much easier to rack (Jam open if the container is any way uneven) and they can be a fair bit more awkward than a standard shipping container to set up.
Height Options
Standard height shipping containers
As standard all shipping containers are 8ft 6 inches high externally.
Note: 45ft standard height shipping containers are largely being phased out and replaced with high cube 45ft containers.
High cube containers
All high cube shipping containers are 9ft 6 inches high externally.
Best value big shipping containers for storage use
When sourcing a container to store your goods in, the vast majority of customers are interested in the best value for a large volume of space. Sometimes you may have a very specific item to store or project in mind which may mean you want or need a very specific size of shipping container – in which case of course let us know what you need and we will get the best possible options together for you.
For customers who want the best possible price for a large amount of secure, weatherproof storage then you will probably find that standard height or high cube 40fts will offer the best overall value. These are a lot more commonplace than their 45ft counterparts and as such they will usually offer a cheaper price per square or cubic foot of space inside the container when compared to 45ft shipping container options.
The height option for your big shipping container will depend on the type of cargo you have as well as how you will use or stack the goods. If your cargo cannot make use of the extra height of a high cube, then a standard height should offer better value for you overall. If you can make use of this extra height then a high cube will almost certainly offer better overall value.
Top tip – think about how you will use your shipping container. A lot of fork lifts can fit inside a high cube that may not otherwise fit inside a standard height shipping container.
Budgetshippingcontainers.co.uk offer the UK’s largest online range of shipping containers for sale with a nationwide network of storage and conversion yards and crane equipped delivery vehicles.
If you need a shipping container feel free to browse our online range of shipping containers for sale. You can also call us on freephone 0808 1234 215 any time 9am – 5pm weekdays and our team will be happy to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can use our online shipping container quote form or request a telephone callback. In both cases we aim to get back to you within 1-2 working hours (may take longer for more detailed quotes).