Pallet-wide container
Also known as: PW · PWC · 20' PW · 40' PW · 45' PW · PW HC · Pallet wide
A pallet-wide container is a little wider inside than a standard container, so two Euro pallets fit side by side lengthwise. This gives more pallet places.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| Specifications | 20' PW | 40' PW HC |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 5,900 mm | 12,030 mm |
| Internal width | 2,440 mm | 2,440 mm |
| Internal height | 2,390 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Door opening width | 2,420 mm | 2,420 mm |
| Door opening height | 2,280 mm | 2,585 mm |
| Tare weight | 2,400 kg | 4,000 kg |
| Max payload | 28,080 kg | 26,480 kg |
| Capacity | 34.4 m³ | 79 m³ |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 14 | 30 |
| Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 10 | 24 |
Typical cargo
Goods on Euro pallets in European trade: food and drinks, consumer goods, building materials, and retail distribution.
In plain words
A standard container is about 2.35 m wide inside, so two Euro pallets (each 1.2 m long) cannot stand side by side the long way. A pallet-wide container is about 2.44 m wide inside, so they fit. A 40' pallet-wide holds about 30 Euro pallets instead of 23 or 24, and a 45' pallet-wide about 33, the same as a European road trailer.
Pallet-wide containers are common in European short-sea and intermodal transport, where cargo moves between road, rail, and sea. They are less common on deep-sea routes, because their outside width is a little more than the standard 2,438 mm and they do not fit every ship's cell guides. Check availability with your line or forwarder.
Example from real shipping
A Turkish food exporter sends palletised goods to Italy by Ro-Ro and rail. With a standard 40' container it could load 24 Euro pallets. With a 40' pallet-wide container it loads 30 pallets, so it ships the same order with fewer units and a lower cost per pallet.
Related terms
- 20' DVA 20' DV is the standard 20-foot closed steel container for general dry cargo. It is the smallest common ocean container.
- 45' HCA 45' HC is a high cube container that is 5 feet (about 1.5 m) longer than a 40' HC. It gives about 10 m³ more space.
- 40' HCA 40' HC is a 40-foot container that is about 30 cm (one foot) taller than a standard 40'. It gives more space for light, bulky cargo.
- 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.