Open Side container
Also known as: OS · 20OS · 20' OS · Side door · Side opening
An open side container has doors along one long side that open fully, as well as normal doors at one end. It can be loaded from the side by forklift.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| Internal length | 5,900 mm |
|---|---|
| Internal width | 2,350 mm |
| Internal height | 2,330 mm |
| Door opening width | 5,800 mm |
| Door opening height | 2,200 mm |
| Tare weight | 3,000 kg |
| Max payload | 27,480 kg |
| Capacity | 32.3 m³ |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 11 |
| Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 10 |
Typical cargo
Long or wide items loaded by forklift: building panels, pipes in frames, garden furniture, and goods that must be loaded and unloaded quickly.
In plain words
With the long side open, a forklift can place pallets anywhere in the container without working from the back to the front. This saves time and is useful for long or wide items that are hard to push in through the end doors. In the table, the door width is the side opening.
Open side containers are much less common than dry containers and are often supplied by leasing companies rather than shipping lines. Ask early about availability and price. Some models open on both long sides.
Example from real shipping
A building materials supplier ships 2.3 m wide insulation panels. Loading them through the end doors would be slow and could damage the panels. The forwarder sources a 20' open side container, and a forklift loads the panels from the side in under an hour.
Related terms
- Double Door (tunnel) containerA double door container, also called a tunnel container, has full doors at both ends. You can load and unload from either end.
- 20' DVA 20' DV is the standard 20-foot closed steel container for general dry cargo. It is the smallest common ocean container.
- Open Top containerAn open top container has no fixed roof. It is covered with a removable tarpaulin, so cargo can be loaded from above with a crane.
- Container typesA side-by-side comparison of the common shipping container types: sizes, weights, capacity, pallet places, and typical cargo.
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Request a QuoteThis glossary is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, fees, and practice can differ by carrier, port, and country.