How to Select the Right Type of Container for Your Cargo

How to Select the Right Type of Container for Your Cargo
04 Jul 2025

Imagine this: Your premium coffee shipment arrives in Germany. They open the container and... 40% is moldy! The cause: you chose a standard container instead of a ventilated one. Did you know that 30% of damage in maritime transport occurs due to poorly selected containers? What if you could choose the perfect container for your cargo like an expert, avoiding million-dollar losses? Today I'll reveal an infallible method in 4 simple steps. Let's begin!


1. CONTAINER TYPES: YOUR ALLY ACCORDING TO CARGO

Forget complicated codes. This table tells you EVERYTHING:

Container TypeIdeal for...Real Example in Colombia
Dry Van (Standard)Boxes, textiles, furnitureJeans from Bogotá to Miami
Reefer (Refrigerated)Bananas, flowers, pharmaceuticalsRoses from La Sabana to USA
Open Top (Open roof)Heavy machinery, pipesExcavators for mines in Antioquia
Flat Rack (Platform)Vehicles, large structuresWind turbines for La Guajira
High Cube (Extra height)Tall furniture, plasticsPlastic chairs for export

💡 Key fact: *Urabá bananas travel in reefers at -0.5°C. A normal container would deliver rotten cargo.*


2. THE 4 DECISION FACTORS

It's not intuition, it's science. Ask yourself:

  1. What's inside?

    • Heat-sensitive? → Reefer

    • Corrosive (chemicals)? → Lined container

    • Fragile (electronics)? → Dry Van with extra padding

  2. Size and weight?

    • Over 2.59m height? → High Cube

    • Over 25 tons? → Reinforced Flat Rack

  3. Route risks?

    • Tropical routes → Ventilated containers against humidity

    • Long voyages → Corner reinforcements for heavy cargo

  4. Legal requirements?

    • Food → INVIMA-certified reefers

    • Pharmaceuticals → Temperature sensors with logging


3. STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE: CHOOSE IN 5 MINUTES

Follow this method like GPS:

Step 1: Classify your cargo:

  • ☀️ Perishable (fruits, flowers)

  • ⚠️ Hazardous (chemicals, batteries)

  • 📦 Fragile (glass, electronics)

  • 🏗️ Oversized (machinery, structures)

Step 2: Measure precisely

  • Formula: *Width x Length x Height + 10% (packaging)*

Step 3: Analyze the route

  • Crossing equator? → High humidity

  • Taking +30 days? → Needs extra protection

Step 4: Choose your container

  • Summary table:

Perishable + Hot route = Reefer  
Machinery + Heavy weight = Flat Rack  
Electronics + Short voyage = Dry Van with silica gel  

4. ERRORS THAT RUIN YOUR CARGO (AVOID THEM!)

  • Using Dry Van for coffee/cocoa: They need ventilation!
    Solution: Containers with breathable walls.

  • Stuffing 26 tons in standard container: Max is 25 tons.
    Solution: Flat Rack with supports.

  • Ignoring humidity on tropical routes:
    Solution: Desiccant bags (1kg per m³).


5. 2025 TRENDS: THE FUTURE IS SMART

  • IoT Containers: Monitor temperature/humidity in real-time.
    Example: Sensors in vaccine shipments from Bogotá.

  • Eco-containers: Made from 100% recyclable materials.

  • Flexitanks: Giant bags for liquids (replace drums).


CONCLUSION: YOUR FORMULA FOR RIGHT CHOICE

Remember this checklist before shipping:

  1. 🔄 Cargo nature: Perishable? Fragile? Hazardous?

  2. 📏 Actual dimensions: Include packaging!

  3. 🌡️ Route risks: Humidity, heat, vibrations.

  4. 📜 Regulations: Does it comply with INVIMA/ICA?

Your cargo is your asset!
The right container isn't an expense, it's an investment.


KEYWORDS:

select cargo container, types of sea containers, reefer container Colombia, protect cargo humidity, containers for exporting

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