In brief
An open top container is an ISO-standardized shipping container without a fixed steel roof. Instead, the top is sealed against the elements using a removable tarpaulin system (PVC tarp) supported by detachable roof bows. The open roof design and the swiveling door header allow for easy loading of oversized, heavy, or bulky cargo from above using construction cranes, straddle carriers, or overhead cranes.
What is an open top container used for?
Open top containers are the backbone of heavy-lift and specialized logistics:
- Machinery & Plant Engineering: Loading and unloading of heavy industrial machinery, turbines, or manufacturing components from above using overhead cranes.
- Over-Height Cargo: Goods that exceed the standard height of a closed container are transported without a steel roof and covered with a tarpaulin.
- Bulk & Raw Material Logistics: Easy filling with sand, ores, grain, glass, or scrap metal directly from above using hoppers or excavators.
- Commercial & Construction Site Storage: Used as a flexible on-site material bin from which heavy tools or pipes can be quickly removed by crane.
Terminology: Open Top Container vs. Hard Top Container vs. Flat Rack
- Open Top Container (Tarpaulin): Features fixed steel side walls but a removable tarpaulin cover. Flexible, weather-resistant, and ideal for crane loading.
- Hard Top Container (Steel Roof): Features a removable solid steel roof instead of a tarpaulin. Offers increased theft protection while allowing for the same crane loading capabilities.
- Flat Rack Container: Has neither a roof nor side walls (only end walls). Used exclusively for extremely wide or long heavy-duty cargo.