Open Top container
Also known as: OT · 20OT · 40OT · 20' OT · 40' OT · 22U1 · 42U1
An open top container has no fixed roof. It is covered with a removable tarpaulin, so cargo can be loaded from above with a crane.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| Specifications | 20' OT | 40' OT |
|---|---|---|
| ISO size-type code | 22U1 | 42U1 |
| Internal length | 5,890 mm | 12,030 mm |
| Internal width | 2,350 mm | 2,350 mm |
| Internal height | 2,350 mm | 2,350 mm |
| Door opening width | 2,340 mm | 2,340 mm |
| Door opening height | 2,270 mm | 2,270 mm |
| Tare weight | 2,350 kg | 3,850 kg |
| Max payload | 28,130 kg | 26,630 kg |
| Capacity | 32.6 m³ | 66.4 m³ |
| Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) | 11 | 23 |
| Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm) | 10 | 21 |
Typical cargo
Tall or heavy items loaded by crane: machinery, glass sheets, marble and stone blocks, timber, and scrap metal.
In plain words
Open tops have the same floor and walls as a normal container, but the roof is a tarpaulin on removable bows. This makes them good for tall or heavy items that cannot go in through the doors, such as machines, glass sheets, or stone blocks.
If the cargo is taller than the container, it becomes “out of gauge” (OOG). Out-of-gauge cargo needs special stowage on the ship and usually costs more. Open tops are less common than dry containers, so book them early.
Example from real shipping
A factory exports a 2.6 m tall machine. It does not fit through the doors of a standard container. The forwarder books a 20' open top. At the factory, a crane lowers the machine in from above, the team secures it, and the tarpaulin goes back on.
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.
- Hard Top containerA hard top container has a removable steel roof. The roof can be lifted off so heavy cargo can be loaded from above by 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.