Useful Shipping Container Dimensions and Specs in the Kenyan Market

Shipping containers are far more than just steel boxes for transporting goods across oceans.

In the Kenyan commercial and industrial sector, their uses extend far beyond maritime logistics, playing an important role in storage, transportation and even construction.

This article outlines the many uses of shipping containers in Kenya, focusing primarily on their dimensions and the specific functionalities associated with each size.

Beyond Shipping: The Three Pillars of Container Utility in Kenya

While shipping containers remain vital for their original purpose of transporting goods, their utilization in Kenya has expanded significantly in recent years.

Here are the three main pillars of container usage in the Kenyan market:

1. Storage Powerhouses: These robust containers offer secure and weatherproof storage solutions for a vast array of items. From domestic items to farm equipment and building materials, businesses across various sectors utilize containers for efficient and organized storage.

2. Efficient Transportation Solutions: The very same containers used for storage can be easily transported by road or rail, facilitating the efficient movement of goods within the country and across the region. For years, containers have been used to ferry goods from the Mombasa Port to Nairobi, past Eldoret to Kisumu and across the borders into neighboring countries. This mobility makes them ideal for businesses with fluctuating storage needs or those operating in geographically diverse locations.

3. Fabrication and Modification Solutions: Used containers, also referred to as “second-grade”, find new life through modern modifications and adaptations. They are transformed into diverse, functional and modular structures, including:
   • Container Homes and Houses: Container homes are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, durability, and quick construction times.
   • Container Offices: Modern solutions for individual, institutional and or organization offices. These can either be single offices, complex offices (involving combinations of two or more container units) or modular offices (partitionable and expandable).

3. Schools and Classrooms: Modified containers serve as cost-effective and sustainable solutions for schools and classrooms both in urban as well as remote locations.
4. Container Clinics and Hospitals: The adaptable nature of containers allows for the creation of fully equipped clinics. These can either be portable or stationery.
5. Containerized Storage Units and Ablution Blocks: Secure storage units and sanitary ablution blocks are essential for various projects, and modified containers offer robust and cost-effective solutions for these needs.

Understanding Dimensions: A Guide to Common Container Sizes

Choosing the right container for your needs requires understanding its dimensions.

Here’s a breakdown of some commonly used container sizes and their typical uses in Kenya:

Type of Container	Dimensions		Typical Uses
20Ft Standard Container	Meters	6.058m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.352m (Height)	Storage & Transportation: General cargo, personal belongings, building materials and packaged goods. Fabrication: Studio/ Bedsitter Houses, Small offices & stores, 3-partition commercial stalls & portable clinics
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 8.6Ft (Height)
20Ft High Cube Container	Meters	6.058m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.591m (Height)	Storage & Transportation: Bulky items like furniture, machinery and tall equipment. Fabrication: Studio/ Bedsitter Houses, Small offices & stores, 3-partition commercial stalls & portable clinics
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 9.6Ft (Height)
40Ft Standard Container	Meters	12.192m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.352m (Height)	Storage & Transportation: General & large cargo, personal belongings, building materials and packaged goods. Fabrication: One bedroom & Two bedrooms houses, medium sized stores, 5-partition commercial stalls & portable clinics.
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 8.6Ft (Height)
40Ft High Cube Container	Meters	12.192m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.591m (Height)	Storage & Transportation: Bulk cargo transportation, large machinery, and oversized equipment. Fabrication: One bedroom & Two bedrooms houses, medium sized stores, 5-partition commercial stalls & portable clinics.
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 9.6Ft (Height)
20Ft Open Top Container	Meters	6.058m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.352m (Height)	Storage & transport of oversized cargo that wouldn’t fit through standard 20Ft container doors.
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 8.6Ft (Height
40Ft Open Top Container	Meters	12.192m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.591m (Height)	Storage & transport of oversized cargo that wouldn’t fit through standard 40Ft container doors.
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 9.6Ft (Height)
20Ft Refrigerated Container	Meters	6.058m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.352m (Height)	Storage and or transport of perishable goods that require refrigeration such as foodstuffs, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 8.6Ft (Height)
40Ft Refrigerated Container	Meters	12.192m (Length) x 2.438m (Width) x 2.591m (Height)	Storage and or transport of bulky or large quantities of perishable goods that require refrigeration such as foodstuffs, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
	Feet	40Ft (Length) x 8Ft (Width) x 9.6Ft (Height)

1. 20ft Standard Containers

• External Dimensions: 6.058m (length) x 2.438m (width) x 2.352m (height)
• Typical Uses: These versatile containers are widely used for storing and transporting a variety of general cargo, including personal belongings, building materials, and packaged goods.

2. 20ft High Cube Containers

• External Dimensions: 6.058m (length) x 2.438m (width) x 2.591m (height)
• Typical Uses: These containers offer increased headroom compared to standard 20ft containers, making them ideal for bulky items like furniture, machinery, and tall equipment.

3. 40ft Standard Containers

• External Dimensions: 12.192m (length) x 2.438m (width) x 2.352m (height)
• Typical Uses: Similar to the 20ft standard containers, these larger versions offer increased storage and transport capacity for various general cargo.

4. 40ft High Cube Containers

• External Dimensions: 12.192m (length) x 2.438m (width) x 2.591m (height)
• Typical Uses: Offering the largest cubic capacity among standard options, these containers are suitable for bulk cargo transportation, large machinery, and oversized equipment.

An illustration of the difference in height between a 40Ft High Cube Container (Red) and a 20Ft Standard container (yellow).

5. 20ft Refrigerated Containers (Reefer Container)

• External Dimensions: Similar to 20ft standard containers
• Typical Uses: Equipped with refrigeration units, these containers maintain controlled temperatures for the storage and or transport of perishable goods, such as foodstuffs, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

6. 40ft Refrigerated Containers (Reefer Containers)

• External Dimensions: Similar to 40ft high Cube containers.
• Typical Uses: Offering larger capacity with temperature control, these reefers are suitable for bulk transportation of temperature-sensitive goods.

7. 20ft Open Top Containers:

• External Dimensions: Similar to 20ft standard containers, with an openable top.
• Typical Uses: Normally, the open top has a removable tarpaulin cover which allows for easy loading and unloading of oversized cargo that wouldn’t fit through standard container doors. This makes them ideal for bulky machinery, tall equipment, and even loose cargo like scrap metal.

8. 40ft Open Top Containers:

• External Dimensions: Similar to 40ft high cube containers.These have an open roof with a removable tarpaulin cover, allowing for easy loading and unloading of oversized cargo.
• Typical Uses: The open top allows for easy loading and unloading of oversized cargo that wouldn’t fit through standard container doors. This makes them ideal for bulky machinery, tall equipment, and even loose cargo like scrap metal.

Read Also: 5 Important Documents When Buying a Shipping Container in Kenya

Some Helpful Factors to Consider when Choosing the Right Container:

Selecting the right container type depends on the specific needs and cargo. Consider factors such as:

• Cargo size and weight: Ensure the container’s dimensions and weight capacity are suitable for your goods.
• Transportation mode: Choose a container compatible with your intended transportation method (truck, ship, train).
• Storage requirements: Consider features like ventilation and insulation if needed for specific storage needs.
• Fabrication Requirements: Consider the type of structure you’d like to construct as well as its intended purpose. A small home office can be furnished from a single 20ft container. On the other hand, a house for a family of 5 can be refurbished from two 40ft containers to make a three bedrooms house.

To Sum Up

By understanding the diverse uses and dimensions of various container types, businesses and individuals in Kenya can leverage these versatile and cost-effective solutions for storage, transportation, and even sustainable construction.

From safeguarding valuable goods to facilitating efficient logistics and fostering creative architectural endeavors, the humble shipping container continues to play a vital role in Kenya’s development.

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