Sea containers, refrigerated containers & office containers — everything you need to know

Are you looking for the right container? Here you will find answers to the most important questions about container types, delivery, costs and safety — explained clearly and simply.

E-bike container on a bike path in the mountains

Do I need a building permit for a container?

Whether a building permit is required depends on the period of use and purpose.

Requiring approval:

  • residential or office containers with connections to electricity and water
  • Permanently installed storage containers
  • Reconstructions that influence the cityscape

Not subject to approval:

  • Short-term construction site containers (less than three months)
  • Mobile containers without fixed foundations

In some federal states, there are simplifications for temporary container solutions. More information about construction law and container use can be found in the article Construction permit for container houses.

How long does a shipping container last?

With good care, a shipping container can 25 to 30 years hold.

Factors for longevity:

  • Regular corrosion protection
  • Replacing the paint against rust
  • Maintenance of door mechanics and seals

But also a used container can be an excellent choice: At m3, you will find used containers in various designs — from refrigerated containers to material containers to office containers, fair in price and immediately available.

Used shipping containers in the depot, forklift transport
20 foot high cube refrigerated container aggregate

How does temperature control work in a refrigerated container?

A refrigerated container (reefer container) is an insulated container with an integrated cooling unit. They keep temperatures constant from -40°C (superfreezer even -60°C) to +25°C and are suitable for transporting food, medicines or chemical substances.

The cooling unit on the back of the container ensures that the air inside the refrigerated container is cooled (or heated when needed) to maintain a uniform, constant temperature.

Here is how it works:

  • The unit draws in air, cools or heats it and blows it back into the container.
  • The cooled or heated air is fed into the container on the ground.
  • The air circulates in the container, rises up the walls and flows back to the aggregate.

The cooling process is based on a refrigerant circuit in the unit, similar to a refrigerator. The refrigerant removes heat from the interior, which is released to the outside. The refrigerant is not visible or accessible to the user — it is part of the technology in the unit.

Why does the floor have grooves on the inside?

The bottom of a refrigerated container consists of a grooved aluminum profile (T-base).
The grooves have an important function:

  • They allow uniform air circulation under and around the stored goods.
  • They ensure that the cooled air reaches the entire interior evenly.
  • They prevent goods from standing directly on the ground, which is more hygienic and supports better cooling.

It is therefore important never to load the refrigerated container up to the ceiling, but to always keep enough distance so that there is air circulation.

Can a container be converted individually?

Yes, containers can be divided by m3 can be converted in a variety of ways and adapted to your individual requirements.

m3 Special container construction:

  • Office container with air conditioning and LED lighting
  • Residential container with window fronts and high-quality insulation
  • Catering and event containers with counters and ventilation systems
  • All types of technical containers for industry and crafts

A current trend is the integration of smart technologies, for example with autonomous energy supply through solar modules or networked control systems for light and temperature.

You can find out more about this at m3 Special container

welding work on a Tinyhouse container
ABUS Con Hasp Containerschloss am Container

How safe are containers against burglary?

Containers are made of robust steel, but are not burglar-proof without additional security measures.

Recommended security solutions:

  • High-quality container locks (e.g. ABUS Granit)
  • GPS tracker for real-time monitoring
  • Motion sensors and alarm systems

We offer various container locks that offer optimal protection:

  • ABUS ConHasp Granit 215/100: 199€ (safety class 4).
  • ABUS ConHasp 230/100: 129€ (safety class 4).
  • ABUS brass lock with lockbox: 49€.

Office container windows can be secured with window grilles. New technologies such as smart locks with biometric access control further increase security.

What container sizes are there?

standard sizes:

  • 10ft container (3m) — compact storage solution
  • 20ft container (6m) — most used size for transportation and storage
  • 40ft container (12m) — for larger projects or refrigerated transport

special sizes:

  • 45ft High Cube (13.7m) for more volume
  • Open-top & flat-rack for oversized cargo
  • foldable containers to save transport costs

All container models and sizes can be found in our Knowledge area container dimensions

blauer 20 Fuß Seecontainer
Visualizing the Tinyhouse in a container

Can containers be used as a living room or office?

Yes, office and residential containers are now a popular alternative to conventional buildings.

advantages:

  • More cost-effective than classic construction methods
  • Quick availability and flexible set-up
  • Modularly expandable and transportable

Modern office containers are often equipped with air conditioning, windows, insulation and electrical installations. Plus Line residential container are also equipped with sanitary connections, floor heating and high-quality insulation materials.

If you want it to be of high quality and suitable for guests, you can rely on our Container tinyhouses.

Which container type is right for me?

The choice of the right container depends on your planned use. Here is an overview of the most common types and their uses:

Tip: Let us advise you to find the ideal solution for your requirements.

Sea container coming out of fog, mystical image for the container knowledge section

This is how container delivery works: Important tips & information

Delivering and unloading a container are decisive factors when planning your project. Depending on container type, location and requirements, there are various ways to ensure a smooth process. We support you both in organizing and choosing the appropriate transport and unloading options.

Can every container be delivered with unloading?

Yes, at the customer's request, we can arrange the most cost-effective transport, including crane service, for every type of sea container. For storage, office and sanitary containers, we also offer unloading options or advise you on self-unloading.

How much does it cost to deliver a container?

The transport costs consist of:

  • Distance: The farther the delivery location, the higher the costs.
  • Delivery method: Easy transportation or full service with unloading.
  • Special requirements: For example, long storage distances or large containers.

Indicative value: The costs are between 450€ and 1.400€. A separate crane service may be required for containers over 40 ft.

Technical requirements for delivery

How much space does the truck need?

  • Turning circle for standard trucks: 15-18 meters
  • Turning circle for semi-trailers: up to 20 meters

Note: Feel free to send us photos of the unloading area to check the conditions in advance.

How heavy is the truck?

  • Empty weight of a truck: 12-15 tons.
  • Weight with container:
    • 20' container: cca 14 - 17 tons.
    • 40' container: cca 16-19 tons.

Note: Gravel roads and surfaces should be stable and level.

20 foot high cube side door container, hanging on crane
Shipping Container Depot

How much does a shipping container cost?

The price of a shipping container depends on various factors, including size, condition (new or used), and current market prices.

  • Used sea container (20ft) costs between 1,500 and 2,500 euros
  • New sea containers (20ft) are 2,500 to 5,000 euros
  • 40ft container are within a price range of 2,500 to 6,000 euros
  • special container How open-top or side-door containers are very dependent on the market

Delivery is an additional cost factor. Depending on the location, transport costs of between 300 and 1,500 euros may be incurred.

How much does a refrigerated container cost per month in electricity?

Depending on the model, set temperature and usage, a refrigerated container consumes between 3 and 6 kWh per hour. The monthly electricity costs are therefore between 250 and 600 euros, depending on the electricity tariff and the outside temperature.

Many companies are now using smart refrigerated containers with IoT technology. These make it possible to:

  • Real time temperature monitoring
  • Automatic alerts in case of discrepancies
  • Remote cooling control via an app

Hapag-Lloyd and other major logistics providers are already using smart reefer containers with these functions. This not only increases efficiency, but also ensures the quality of the transported goods.

20-foot Highcube refrigerated container

Let's start your project!

Regardless of whether you need a shipping container, a refrigerated container for the safe storage of temperature-sensitive goods, a material container for the storage of building materials or an office container for temporary or permanent office solutions — we have the right solution for you. You can choose between buying and renting and benefit from fair prices and our comprehensive range of services.

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