Editing Intermodal container (section)

== Types ==
[[File:Lauritzen1 k100.jpg|thumb|{{convert|40|ft|m|adj=on}} High-Cube actively refrigerated container – refrigerating equipment visible on the front end.]]
[[File:Railroad car with container loads.jpg|thumb|A [[Flatcar#Spine car|spine car]] with a 20 ft [[tank container]] and an open-top 20&nbsp;ft container with canvas cover]]
[[File:Flat-rack-small-vessel.jpeg|thumb|A flat-rack container loaded with a small vessel loaded by a [[reach stacker]].]]

Other than the standard, general purpose container, many variations exist for use with different cargoes. The most prominent of these are [[refrigerated container]]s (also called ''reefers'') for perishable goods, that make up 6% of the world's shipping boxes.<ref name=ShipCouncilFleet/><ref name=Globalfleet08/> Tanks in a frame, for bulk liquids, account for another 0.75% of the global container fleet.<ref name=ShipCouncilFleet/>

Although these variations are not of the standard type, they mostly are ''ISO standard'' containers – in fact the [[ISO 6346#Size and Type Codes|ISO 6346]] standard classifies a broad spectrum of container types in great detail. Aside from different size options, the most important container types are:<ref>{{cite web| title =Selecting a Container | publisher =CMA CGM Group| year =2006 | url =http://www.cma-cgm.com/Images/ContentManagement/AboutUs/PressRoom/Brochures/Documents/Containers.pdf | access-date =14 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111234650/http://www.cma-cgm.com/Images/ContentManagement/AboutUs/PressRoom/Brochures/Documents/Containers.pdf |archive-date=11 January 2007}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Frequently used abbreviations for the most common ISO 6346 types are: '''GP''' (General Purpose), '''HC''' / '''HQ''' (High Cube), '''OT''' (Open Top), '''RF''' (Refrigerated), '''RK''' (Rack) and '''TK''' (Tank).<ref>[http://portal2.kuantanport.com.my/docs/ISOContainerTypeGroup.pdf ISO Container Type Group.pdf]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>|group="nb"}}
* General-purpose dry vans, for boxes, cartons, cases, sacks, bales, pallets, drums, etc., Special interior layouts are known, such as:
** Rolling-floor containers, for difficult-to-handle cargo
** Garmentainers, for shipping garments on hangers<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oocl.com/eng/ourservices/containers/containerspecifications/garmentainers.htm |title=Garmentainers |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=OOCL.com |publisher=[[Orient Overseas Container Line]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305075008/http://www.oocl.com/eng/ourservices/containers/containerspecifications/garmentainers.htm |archive-date=5 March 2010 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3plnews.com/3pl/db-schenker-logistics-offers-new-solution-for-garments-on-hangers.html |title=DB Schenker Logistics offers new solution for garments on hangers {{pipe}} 3PL |publisher=3plnews.com |date=7 July 2010 |access-date=1 February 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223122520/http://www.3plnews.com/3pl/db-schenker-logistics-offers-new-solution-for-garments-on-hangers.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Ventilated containers. Essentially dry vans, but either passively or actively ventilated. For instance for organic products requiring ventilation.
* Temperature controlled – either [[Thermal insulation|insulated]], [[Refrigerated container|refrigerated]], or heated containers, for perishable goods
* [[Tank container]]s, for liquids, gases, or powders. Frequently these are [[dangerous goods]], and in the case of gases one shipping unit may contain multiple gas bottles
* Bulk containers (sometimes ''bulktainers''), either closed models with roof-lids, or hard or soft open-top units for top loading, for instance for bulk minerals. Containerized coal carriers and "bin-liners" (containers designed for the efficient road and rail transportation of rubbish from cities to recycling and dump sites) are used in Europe.
* Open-top and open-side containers, for instance for easy loading of heavy machinery or oversize pallets. Crane systems can be used to load and unload crates without having to disassemble the container itself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://barrettlimited.com/general/open-top/|title=Why Open-Top Containers Dominate the Glass Industry and How to Use Them To Streamline Your Shipping|last=Jacob|first=Munden|date=14 August 2018|website=Barrett Ltd|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829212140/http://barrettlimited.com/general/open-top/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Open sides are also used for ventilating hardy perishables like apples or potatoes.
* [[Log cradle container|Log cradles]] for cradling [[Trunk (botany)|logs]]<ref>[https://harvesttech.events/new-cradle-containers-revolutionise-log-transport/ Log cradle]</ref>
* Platform based containers such as:
[[File:Car container carrier.webp|thumb|[[COSCO]] has developed a car container carrier<ref>{{cite web | url=https://splash247.com/cosco-develops-tech-to-transform-pulp-ship-into-a-car-carrier/ | title=COSCO develops tech to transform pulp ship into a car carrier | date=22 August 2022 }}</ref>]]
** [[Flat rack container|flat-rack]] and bolster containers, for barrels, drums, crates, and any heavy or bulky out-of-gauge cargo, like machinery, semi-finished goods or processed timber. Empty flat-racks can either be stacked or shipped sideways in another ISO container 
** collapsible containers, ranging from flushfolding flat-racks to fully closed ISO and CSC certified units with roof and walls when erected.<ref>[http://www.carucontainers.com/int/containers/4fold-foldable-container 4FOLD – Foldable Container] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026185412/http://www.carucontainers.com/int/containers/4fold-foldable-container |date=26 October 2016 }}</ref>
* trash containers, for carrying trash bags and cans to and from Recycling factories and landfills.

Containers for [[Offshore construction|offshore]] use have a few different features, like [[padeye|pad eyes]], and must meet additional strength and design requirements, standards and certification, such as the DNV2.7-1 by [[Det Norske Veritas]], LRCCS by [[Lloyd's Register]], Guide for Certification of Offshore Containers by [[American Bureau of Shipping]] and the [[International Organization for Standardization|International standard]] [[ISO10855]]: ''Offshore containers and associated lifting sets'', in support of [[IMO MSC/Circ. 860]]<ref>[https://exchange.dnv.com/publishing/stdcert/2008-11/Standard2-7-1.pdf Standard for Certification No.2.7-1 – Offshore Containers_April 2006] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722231813/https://exchange.dnv.com/publishing/stdcert/2008-11/Standard2-7-1.pdf |date=22 July 2015 }}</ref>

A multitude of equipment, such as generators, has been installed in containers of different types to simplify logistics – see {{format link|#Containerized equipment}} for more details.

[[Swap body]] units usually have the same bottom corner fixtures as intermodal containers, and often have folding legs under their frame so that they can be moved between trucks without using a crane. However they frequently do not have the upper corner fittings of ISO containers, and are not stackable, nor can they be lifted and handled by the usual equipment like reach-stackers or straddle-carriers. They are generally more expensive to procure.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/transport/intermodality/legislation/doc/economic_study_ilu.pdf |title=Economic Analysis of Proposed Standardisation And Harmonisation Requirements |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=13 October 2003 |publisher=ICF Consulting, Ltd. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011185432/http://ec.europa.eu/transport/intermodality/legislation/doc/economic_study_ilu.pdf |archive-date=11 October 2010 |url-status = dead}}</ref>