Shipping containers are the backbone of Kenya’s logistics network, but did you know there are different types suited for specific cargo needs? If you’re keen on the roads, you will see different container types on transport trailers.
These include dry containers, flat racks, reefers, open-top containers, isotanks, and reefer containers. Each serves a unique purpose. At Premium Containers Kenya, we break down the five most common container types transported across the country.
1. 20Ft Freight Containers
These containers measure 20 feet Long, 8 feet wide, and 8.6 feet high.
Whereas the Side-Loader trucks and Chassis trucks might be available, it is the HIAB trucks (Crane Trucks) and Flat-Bed trucks that are preferred when ferrying 20ft containers in Kenya.
The HIAB OR Crane Truck
It has a crane mounted on its chassis. This type is used for areas with difficult accessibility or where precision placement is required.
The crane can lift the container over obstacles like fences or into tight spots.
It has to be able to unload precisely on established bases such as concrete pillars and or concrete slabs.
The Flat-Bed Truck
This one is used for transporting the 20ft shipping containers, especially for longer distances.
Here, the container will need to be lifted off the truck by a crane or forklift at the destination.
These trucks offer a stable, open platform for transport
2. 40Ft High Cube Freight Containers (High Cube and Low Cube)
The difference between 40-foot high-cube containers and 40-foot low-cube containers comes down to the height. The High Cube Units are 9.6 feet high, whereas the Low Cube units are 8.6 feet high.
Both are transported using more or less the same equipment.
Flatbed Semi-Trailers
These trucks offer a flat, open platform onto which the containers are placed.
They are designed with twist locks that securely strap down the container.
This form of transport requires the availability of a crane or a heavy-duty forklift at the destination to offload.
Container Chassis (Skeletal Trailers)
This is a common method for transporting 40ft (and even 20ft) containers, especially over long distances or from ports.
These are semi-trailers specifically designed with a lightweight frame and twist locks that securely attach to the container’s corner castings.
A standard tractor unit or a semi-truck unit is attached to the chassis to pull it.
The HIAB OR Crane Truck
For the bigger 40ft truck, this equipment has a crane mounted on its chassis.
The Crane Truck is useful on sites with difficult accessibility and where precision placement is required.
The crane can lift the container over obstacles like fences or into tight spots.
It has to be able to unload precisely on established bases such as concrete pillars and or concrete slabs.
3. Open Top Containers
Available in 20ft and 40ft categories, these containers are designed with open tops for cargo that cannot be easily loaded through standard container doors or those that exceed the standard height of the container.
Often, the op is covered with a tough, water-resistant material called tarpaulin.
This material is held in place by removable steel roof-bows that ensure that the tarpaulin can also be removed.
Open Top Containers are ferried much like regular containers.
4. Refrigerated Containers (Reefer)
Reefer containers are specifically made to store and transport perishable or temperature-sensitive goods.
Essentially, these mobile freezers are for the global supply chain, allowing fresh produce, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and other sensitive goods to be transported across vast distances while maintaining their quality and integrity.
The most noticeable feature is a freezer-integrated refrigeration unit (Reefer Machine), which either heats or cools the interior of the container to maintain set temperatures.
During transport, Reefer containers can be loaded onto Chassis Trucks, Flat-bed Trucks, and or HIAB (Crane) Trucks to regional locations.
Read Also: Current Prices for Transporting Shipping Containers Across Kenya
Let Us Help You Move Your Containers
Understanding the different types of shipping containers helps businesses make smarter, more cost-effective logistics decisions. Each type plays a key role in supporting Kenya’s trade and construction sectors. Whether you’re moving goods or planning a container project, choosing the right container makes all the difference.
Need help selecting or transporting the right container? Talk to the experts at Premium Containers Kenya today. We’ll match you with the perfect solution for your needs!