ISO 668 Maritime Shipping Standards

Ocean Container Dimensions & Capacity Specs

Detailed technical specifications, internal clearances, tare weights, payload limits, and interactive Euro vs Standard pallet fitment calculations across 8 ISO container types operating via Jebel Ali Port (`AEJEA`).

Units:

ISO Code: 22G1Category: Standard Dry

20ft Standard Dry Container

The global workhorse for dense, heavy, and general manufactured cargo.

Max Payload

28,280 kg

Usable Volume

28.5 CBM

Dimensions & Clearances

Standard exterior footprint vs usable interior cargo envelope.

Measurement	Internal (Usable)	External (Overall)
Length	5.90 m (5,898 mm)	6.06 m
Width	2.35 m (2,352 mm)	2.44 m
Height	2.39 m (2,393 mm)	2.59 m

Rear Door Opening ClearanceForklift / Crane Access

Door Width

2,340 mm

Door Height

2,280 mm

Ensure cargo crating dimensions include at least 50mm clearance below door height to prevent wedging during forklift loading at Jebel Ali CFS stations.

Weight Ratings & Capacities (SOLAS VGM)

Official container payload thresholds under international maritime safety standards.

Max Gross Mass (MGM / Rating)

30,480 kg

Max Payload

28,280 kg

Tare (Empty Container): 2,200 kgPayload Share: 93%

SOLAS VGM Rule: Every packed export container departing Jebel Ali Port must have a certified Verified Gross Mass certificate submitted via Dubai Trade prior to vessel cut-off.

Recommended Cargo Commodities

Heavy industrial machinery, engines, and spare parts Minerals, ceramics, marble, tiles, and construction hardware Chemicals, polymers, and raw materials in drums or IBCs Automotive parts and crated metal components

Jebel Ali (`AEJEA`) & UAE Road Haulage Note

Standard road weight enforcement in Dubai and Abu Dhabi limits tandem-axle trailer payload to 26,000 kg gross without special overweight permits.

Interactive Loading Engine

Pallet Fitment & Floor Space Calculator

Calculate maximum pallet capacity, floor utilization, and payload distribution for 20ft Dry (20' GP).

Max Pallet Capacity

11 Pallets

11 floor positions (1 tier)

Floor Area Utilization

76%

Total internal floor: 13.9 m²

Max Weight / Pallet

2,570 kg

Before reaching container payload

Selected Pallet Spec

EUR 1 (EPAL)

1200 × 800 mm

Container Floor Loading Layout (Top-Down 2D Schematic)

Door End ➔ [Loading Access]

P1EUR

P2EUR

P3EUR

P4EUR

P5EUR

P6EUR

P7EUR

P8EUR

P9EUR

P10EUR

P11EUR

Layout Note: 11 Euro pallets (pinwheel or staggered 2-row layout) or 10 Standard Industrial pallets.Height Note: Ensure pallet height including wood base does not exceed door clearance (2280 mm).

Compare All 8 Ocean Container Types

Side-by-side volume, dimensions, payload, and pallet capacities at a glance.

Direct Ocean Booking Integration

Ready to ship via 20ft Standard Dry Container?

Book dedicated FCL container space or discuss specialized out-of-gauge / cold chain handling through Jebel Ali Port (AEJEA) with VELO's maritime operations team.

Engineering & Procurement Framework

How to Choose the Optimal Shipping Container

Selecting between 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft High Cube containers depends on two primary cargo metrics: total volumetric cubic meters (CBM) and total gross weight (kg).

20ft Standard Dry

Best for Dense & Heavy Cargo

When cargo density exceeds 1,000 kg per CBM (such as metal coils, stone tiles, liquids in drums, or heavy machinery), your shipment will hit maximum permissible payload limits (28,000 kg) long before filling the 33 CBM interior space. A 20ft container minimizes unused dead-freight costs.

40ft Standard Dry

Best for General Retail & FMCG

Offers double the volumetric capacity (67 CBM) of a 20ft container with only a slight ocean freight rate premium (typically 1.3× to 1.6× the 20ft rate). Ideal for standard-height palletized merchandise, consumer electronics, textiles, and medium-density consumer goods.

40ft High Cube (HC)

Best for Voluminous & Tall Goods

Adds 305mm (12 inches) of overhead clearance, unlocking up to 76.4 CBM. The global standard for furniture, bicycles, assembled appliances, and tall pallet configurations up to 2.50 meters. Almost universally priced at parity or minimal surcharge over standard 40ft boxes.

Pallet Logistics Comparison

Euro Pallet (EUR 1) vs Standard Industrial ISO Pallet

Standard container widths (2.35m internal) strictly govern how many pallets can fit side-by-side. Understanding pallet overhang and footprint prevents costly repacking at destination terminals.

Pallet Standard	Dimensions (L × W)	20ft Container (Single)	40ft Container (Single)	Dominant Trading Regions
Euro Pallet (EUR 1 / EPAL)	1200 × 800 mm (47.2″ × 31.5″)	11 pallets	24–25 pallets	European Union, UK, Central Asia
Standard ISO / Industrial Pallet	1200 × 1000 mm (47.2″ × 39.4″)	10 pallets	20–21 pallets	UAE, GCC, North America, East Asia
Asian Standard Pallet (JIS)	1100 × 1100 mm (43.3″ × 43.3″)	10 pallets	20 pallets	Japan, South Korea, Taiwan

Regulatory Compliance

SOLAS VGM & Jebel Ali Port Terminal Guidelines

DP World enforces strict electronic container gate controls across Jebel Ali Terminal 1, 2, 3, and 4 to comply with international maritime safety statutes.

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Protocol

Every packed container must transmit its certified VGM electronically via the Dubai Trade portal prior to vessel load list closure. Ocean carriers are prohibited by international maritime law from loading any container without an authenticated VGM.

VGM = Cargo Weight + Packaging & Dunnage + Container Tare Weight

Cold Chain & Reefer Monitoring

Jebel Ali Port hosts over 9,600 refrigerated container plug points. Reefer containers are subjected to continuous digital telemetry monitoring. To ensure uninterrupted cold chain during inland haulage to Dubai South or Al Aweer, clip-on gensets provide steady 460V electrical power.

Temperature Range: -35°C to +30°C (Deep freeze down to -60°C)

Connected Logistics Tools

Need to calculate exact carton CBM or UAE Customs Duty?

Use our CBM Calculator to sum line-item package dimensions, or determine landed import duty and 5% VAT for Dubai commercial clearance.

VELO in Numbers

Industry impact that stands out.

Our numbers demonstrate our extensive experience handling shipments.

0+Years of Logistics Experience

0+Shipments Delivered Safely

0+Happy Clients Worldwide

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocean Container FAQs

Frequently asked questions regarding container dimensions, payload limits, and maritime loading practices.

A 40ft High Cube (HC) container is exactly 305 mm (1 foot) taller than a standard 40ft dry container. While both share identical exterior lengths (12.19m) and widths (2.44m), the High Cube has an internal height of 2.70m versus 2.39m for standard dry. This increases usable internal volume from approximately 58 CBM to 68–70 CBM, making High Cubes ideal for voluminous, lightweight commodities like furniture, apparel, and electronics.

For standard single-tier floor loading: A 20ft container accommodates 11 Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm) or 10 Standard ISO pallets (1200 × 1000 mm). A 40ft container accommodates 24–25 Euro pallets or 20–21 Standard Industrial pallets. If cargo height and individual pallet weights permit double-stacking without exceeding the maximum payload or crushing lower boxes, these capacities can be doubled.

Under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) SOLAS convention, every packed export container must have a certified Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before it can be loaded onto a vessel. Shippers can obtain VGM via Method 1 (weighing the sealed container on a certified weighbridge) or Method 2 (weighing all packages, pallets, and dunnage and adding container tare weight). DP World Jebel Ali Port offers electronic weighbridge integration directly through Dubai Trade.

Reefer containers require 75mm to 100mm of rigid polyurethane foam insulation along all walls, ceiling, and doors, plus an integrated machinery cooling bulkhead at the front wall. This reduces internal length by approximately 450mm and internal width by 60mm, bringing internal usable volume down from 33.2 CBM (dry) to approximately 28.3 CBM (reefer).

In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, federal transport regulations limit the maximum gross vehicle weight (truck + chassis + container + cargo) to 44,000 kg on 5-axle or 6-axle articulated combinations. This generally translates to a maximum cargo payload of approximately 26,000 kg to 28,000 kg. Shippers moving heavy cargo (such as tiles, marble, or steel) in 20ft containers must verify axle load distribution to prevent RTA highway fines.

Open Top containers are engineered for cargo that cannot be loaded through rear doors with a standard forklift and must be craned in from above, or cargo that exceeds standard roof height by up to 0.5m. Flat Rack containers (with no side walls or permanent roof) are required for out-of-gauge (OOG) project cargo that exceeds standard container width (2.35m) or requires side loading, such as yachts, generators, or construction equipment.

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Measurement

Internal (Usable)

External (Overall)

Length

5.90 m (5,898 mm)

6.06 m

Width

2.35 m (2,352 mm)

2.44 m

Height

2.39 m (2,393 mm)

2.59 m

Pallet Standard

Dimensions (L × W)

20ft Container (Single)

40ft Container (Single)

Dominant Trading Regions

Euro Pallet (EUR 1 / EPAL)

1200 × 800 mm (47.2″ × 31.5″)

11 pallets

24–25 pallets

European Union, UK, Central Asia

Standard ISO / Industrial Pallet

1200 × 1000 mm (47.2″ × 39.4″)

10 pallets

20–21 pallets

UAE, GCC, North America, East Asia

Asian Standard Pallet (JIS)

1100 × 1100 mm (43.3″ × 43.3″)

10 pallets

20 pallets

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan