Think of your container as a Lego block…

Each shipping container has to be of a specific height, width and length in order to conform to the needs of a cargo ship.  Imagine your container as a Lego block stacking on top of, side by side and opposite other Lego blocks; one block with an awkward dimension would prevent you from stacking or siting other blocks, this is much the same as shipping containers on cargo vessels.  Each of the lifting eyes situated on the four corners of a container have to be able to connect together in order to make container shipping as economical as possible and to be able to fit into the standard lifting equipment on docks.




Undersized and Oversized Cargo…

Therefore, shipping containers are only available in 20ft and 40ft lengths.  Whilst you can ship extraordinary units on a vessel, they are classified as “undersized” or “oversized” cargo and therefore not only cost much more to manufacture but also cost more to ship as they sit on individual bays on the vessel where no other equipment can be stacked on top of them.



20ft and 40ft Container Size Conversions…

So, what is the answer if a 20ft or 40ft container simply does not suit your needs? Lion Containers can convert standard containers into a number of lengths, 10ft is the most popular and is achieved by cutting down a 20ft or 40ft container into 10ft units.  Similarly, if you require other popular non-standard container sizes such as 12ft, 16ft or 30ft this can also be achieved in the same manner.  However, it is important to remember that this negates the CS Plate of the shipping container and transforms the unit into a storage container not suitable for shipping.




Specialised High Cube Equipment…

In terms of height, specialised equipment can be supplied in the form of high cube units, these can be shipped in 20ft and 40ft lengths and similarly can be cut down to suit your requirements with the container width remaining the same.  High cube containers provide an extra 1ft in height making the container 9ft 6ins as oppose to the standard 8ft 6ins and can often be identified by yellow and black striped warning type around the corner castings situated in the top four corners of the container. Unfortunately, without creating modular units it is extremely difficult to make containers any wider than their standard 8ft.  In order to achieve this a whole side panel would have to be removed from the shipping container with another container being welded to the unit on site.




Contact Lion Containers for More Information…

If you would like some more information regarding standard or non standard container dimensions or sizes please contact Lion Containers on
0333 600 6260 where a highly trained sales team will be glad to assist.