Container Availability
Open Top Container
Quick answer: An open top container has no fixed steel roof: cargo loads from above by crane or hoist, and the unit ships with a removable tarpaulin cover. A typical 20ft open top measures 6,058 mm long externally, offers about 31 m³ of capacity and carries roughly 28,000 kg of payload, for cargo too tall for a standard door.
An open top container has no fixed steel roof; it loads from above by crane or hoist and ships with a removable tarpaulin cover instead. It suits cargo that is too tall for a standard door or easier to lower in from above. Confirm the tarpaulin condition and securing plan for the actual unit.
Typical specifications
Bottom line: If the cargo only clears the door height when it is lowered in from above, the open top is the unit: about 31 m³ and roughly 28,000 kg of payload in a 20ft frame, roof replaced by a tarpaulin.
Key figures: A typical 20ft open top is 6,058 mm long, 2,438 mm wide and 2,591 mm high externally. Load space is about 31 m³, with a top opening the full internal width. Maximum payload is roughly 28,000 kg, and internal height to the load line is about 2,290 mm.
| Measure | Nominal value |
|---|---|
| External length | 6,058 mm (20ft typical) |
| External width | 2,438 mm |
| External height | 2,591 mm |
| Internal length | ≈ 5,900 mm |
| Internal width | ≈ 2,330 mm |
| Internal height | ≈ 2,290 mm (to load line) |
| Top opening | Full internal width |
| Cubic capacity | ≈ 31 m³ |
| Maximum payload | ≈ 28,000 kg (varies by unit) |
Nominal ISO figures for planning only. The offered unit’s actual specification, tare and payload are confirmed against your enquiry, with photographs and documents where required.
Common uses
- Tall machinery and equipment loaded by overhead crane
- Cargo that is safer or faster to lower in from above than to push through a door
- Project cargo where the load shape defeats standard door dimensions
Condition options
Check the condition points of a dry unit — doors, floor, corner posts — plus the tarpaulin and its bows, since the cover provides weather protection at sea and in storage. Ask for photographs of the cover fitted and stowed. See condition grades.
Related guidance
- Cargo wider than the unit? See flat racks
- Lifting and handling plans
- Request availability for your cargo
Inspection checklist before you buy
Photographs help, but check these points on the actual unit (in person or through an independent inspection) before you commit:
- Tarpaulin complete, without tears, and with its securing cable
- Roof bows present, straight and seating correctly
- Door header swings and locks (where fitted)
- Floor, walls, corner posts and castings in sound condition
- Lashing points inside the unit undamaged
- For cargo use: a valid CSC plate and inspection documents
The cargo-worthy vs wind & watertight guide and the CSC plate guide explain which documents matter for which use.
Buy or lease?
Buying suits long-term storage or a conversion you will keep. Leasing suits a fixed project or a short peak in demand, without resale risk at the end. The leasing vs buying guide compares the two, and you can request either option through the enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
What cargo suits an open top?
Tall or top-loaded cargo: machinery, vehicle assemblies and project pieces that clear standard door heights, or loads that can only be placed by crane. The tarpaulin needs headroom to arch over the cargo.
Does an open top ship with a cover?
Yes, normally a removable tarpaulin on a frame of bows. Confirm the tarpaulin is included and in serviceable condition, and describe your cargo height so the securing plan can be reviewed.
How heavy is an empty 20ft open top?
Typically about 2,300 to 2,500 kg including the roof bows and tarpaulin. Check the tare marked on the unit before arranging handling.
Can an open top be loaded through the doors as well?
Yes. Open tops keep standard rear doors, and on many units the door header swings out to make loading tall items easier. Confirm the header type on the offered unit.