Do you need a 40 ft shipping container to transport your big and heavy cargo? The flat rack container can be a perfect fit.
Logistics companies are one of the many industries that rely heavily on the reliability and flexibility of flat racks. Their ability to easily transport large and heavy cargo makes them a perfect choice for handling complex shipments that require transport equipment.
A 40-foot flat rack container enables logistics companies to ship cargo, from construction equipment to heavy vehicles, with maximum efficiency and safety.
So, what does a 40 ft shipping container have to be an important means of transportation in logistics? Find out in this article!
Contents
40 ft Flat Rack Container
A flat rack container is specifically designed to transport large or unusually sized goods. Unlike standard containers, which have rigid walls and roofs, this one only has a frame consisting of a steel frame and flat platforms at the top and bottom.
This design makes flat rack containers ideal for transporting construction equipment, pipes, lumber, or heavy vehicles that cannot fit or are not suitable for standard containers. The main advantage of a flat rack container is its flexibility in transporting large and heavy goods.
With a flat rack container, cargo can be loaded and secured to the lashing points. Additionally, flat rack containers come in collapsible or removable sides (Collapsible Ends) and fixed or non-collapsible sides (Fixed Ends).
Although there are 2 sizes of flat rack containers (20 ft and 40 ft), this article will only talk about the 40 ft one. Here are the specifications for a flat rack 40 ft shipping container:
40 ft Flat Rack Shipping Container Size Specification
| External Dimensions | L 40’ x W 8’ X H 8.6’ |
| Tare Weight | 10,802 lbs |
| Net Weight | 99,428 lbs |
| Max Gross Weight | 110,231 lbs |
40 ft Flat Rack Container Features
Corten steel
A 40 ft Flat Rack Container has a corten steel structure, making it durable and resistant to harsh conditions. It forms a protective rust layer when exposed to air to prevent deeper corrosion, giving high durability without frequent painting.
Strong steel frame supports oversized machinery, vehicles, pipes, and construction materials.
Lashing points
The lashing points are one of the most important safety features of a 40 ft flat rack container, since they secure heavy or oversized cargo during transport. They are located along the side rails, end walls, and floor cross members.
Lashing points prevent cargo from sliding, tipping, or shifting during road, rail, or sea transport. This is critical for heavy machinery, vehicles, pipes, steel structures, and construction equipment.
Wood flooring
A 40 ft Flat Rack Container typically comes with a heavy-duty wood floor, designed to withstand extreme loads from machinery, vehicles, and oversized cargo. It is supported by steel cross beams spaced to distribute weight evenly.
The flat rack flooring features a wide, open platform with a flush wooden deck for loading irregular cargo. Its smooth surface allows for easier lashing and securing of items.
Collapsible Ends
A 40 ft flat rack’s ends can be raised upright for cargo support, or folded flat to save space when empty. When the ends are folded down, the container is almost flat, able to accommodate oversized cargo that extends beyond the container’s length, like wind turbine blades.
Meanwhile, when the ends are up, they will secure long loads like pipes, steel beams, and vehicles.
CSC plate
Like all ISO containers, every 40 ft Flat Rack Container must carry a CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) plate to certify its safe for international shipping. Without a valid CSC plate, the container can only be used for storage or domestic purposes.
It also confirms the container meets structural safety standards for transport by sea, rail, and road.
Flat Rack Container Users
Flat rack container users come from a variety of industrial sectors that require the shipping of large, long, or unusual items. Some common flat rack container users include:
Construction Industry
Construction companies often use 40 ft flat rack containers to transport heavy equipment such as cranes, trucks, or long concrete pipes that cannot fit inside standard cargo containers.
In this industry, the 40 ft flat rack containers offer the strength, flexibility, and safety needed to move heavy equipment, prefabricated elements, and structural materials from port to job site.
Oil and Gas Sector
Transporting large equipment and components such as pipes, platforms, or drilling rigs is more efficient using 40 ft flat rack containers.
Oilfield equipment is usually oversized, heavy, and irregularly shaped. The oil & gas industry relies heavily on flat rack containers because of the size, shape, and weight of the equipment involved.
40 ft flat racks are also ideal for moving equipment to offshore rigs, refineries, and remote drilling sites.
Agriculture
In the agricultural industry, 40 ft flat rack containers are ideal for transporting tractors, farm machinery, or building materials such as lumber for barns or other agricultural facilities.
Flat racks have a steel base and end walls (fixed or collapsible), with no sides or roof, making them ideal for wide, tall, or heavy loads.
Automotive
The automotive industry often relies on 40 ft flat rack containers to transport new or used vehicles for export to international markets.
Automobiles, parts, and equipment often exceed the dimensions of standard containers. Flat racks, with no side walls or roof, allow easy loading, wide cargo space, and crane/forklift access.
Their corten steel frame plus reinforced hardwood flooring can support up to 88,184 lbs or 40,000 kg.
Oversized Freight Industry
The oversized freight industry relies heavily on flat rack containers, which are the backbone of the oversized freight industry.
They enable the transport of heavy machinery, industrial modules, energy equipment, and oversized structures across global supply chains.
They offer strength, flexibility, and security, making them indispensable for logistics companies handling OOG cargo.
Conclusion
A flat rack 40 ft shipping container is great if you need to ship large, heavy, or unusual cargo. With a sturdy and flexible flat platform, you can easily load and secure your goods for safe and efficient shipping.
To get a flat rack shipping container for your business needs, buy or rent from Tradecorp! With years of experience, Tradecorp is a reliable sales, purchase, rental, and modification service provider.
Tradecorp also provides various types of containers, with a variety of sizes of 20’ or 40’ for cargo shipping, refrigerated, and modular containers. Consult your modification needs according to your wishes and get the best container sales and rental price offers from Tradecorp by filling out this quote form!
