Platform container
Also known as: PL · 20PL · 40PL · Platform · Bolster
A platform is a container base with no walls, no ends, and no roof — just a very strong floor with corner fittings. It carries very large, heavy pieces.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| Specifications | 20' PL | 40' PL |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 6,058 mm | 12,192 mm |
| Internal width | 2,438 mm | 2,438 mm |
| Tare weight | 2,600 kg | 5,000 kg |
| Max payload | 31,400 kg | 40,000 kg |
Typical cargo
Project cargo: heavy machinery, boilers, tanks, large steel structures, and other very heavy or wide single pieces.
In plain words
Because there are no end walls, the cargo can be longer than the platform, or several platforms can be placed side by side under one huge piece. The figures in the table are for the deck, which is the full outside size of the platform.
Platforms are mostly used for project cargo, such as heavy machinery, boilers, and large steel parts. The cargo is almost always out of gauge (OOG), so it needs careful lashing, special stowage on the ship, and often road permits. Platforms are rare, so plan well ahead with your forwarder.
Example from real shipping
A factory ships a 30-tonne press that is 3.5 m wide. It does not fit any container with walls. The forwarder books a 40' platform, the press is lifted on by crane and lashed with chains, and the line plans space on deck for the extra width.
Related terms
- Flat Rack containerA flat rack is a container with a strong floor and two end walls, but no side walls and no roof. It carries large, heavy cargo that does not fit in a closed box.
- OOGOOG cargo is cargo that sticks out beyond the normal outside size of a container — too high, too wide, or too long. It usually travels on a flat rack, open top, or platform.
- 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.