20ft Open Top Shipping Container
A 20ft open top shipping container with a removable roof (hard-top steel panels or soft-top tarpaulin), engineered for top-loading oversized, tall, or heavy cargo via crane. Compact ISO-certified unit built from Corten steel with a marine plywood floor.
Description
Compact top-loading for tight job sites.
A 20ft open top shipping container is a specialized ISO-compliant container with a removable roof, allowing cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the top using cranes, hoists, or forklifts. It is ideal for tall, oversized, heavy, or out-of-gauge items that cannot fit through standard end doors.
The 20ft size is perfect for tighter job sites, urban deliveries, or lighter cargo volumes compared to a 40ft unit, while still offering excellent capacity for specialized freight. Built from durable, corrosion-resistant Corten steel to strict ISO standards, it delivers exceptional strength, reliability, and versatility for international shipping, export, ground storage, or on-site use.
Hard top vs. soft top
The hard top version uses removable steel roof panels that are lifted off by crane or forklift during loading and securely reattached for a fully wind- and watertight container — ideal for heavy-duty transport and long-term storage. The soft top version uses a waterproof tarpaulin secured with bows and lashing bars, offering more flexibility at a lower cost. Both maintain ISO-certified structural integrity and weather resistance when secured.
Construction
Corrugated Corten steel sides, 1-1/8" thick marine-grade plywood floor with center dividers, removable roof bows, two swingable doors with customs-approved closures, forklift pockets for easy empty handling, and internal lashing rings and bars to secure cargo. The unit is fully vermin-proof and robust for demanding environments.
Features
- Removable roof — hard-top steel panels or soft-top tarpaulin
- Top-loading via crane, hoist, or forklift for oversized cargo
- Compact 20ft footprint ideal for tight job sites and urban deliveries
- Corrugated Corten steel construction, ISO-certified
- 1-1/8" marine-grade plywood floor with center dividers
- Removable door header for additional end-door access
- Forklift pockets for easy empty handling
- Internal lashing rings and bars to secure cargo
- Max payload 62,440 lb / max gross 67,200 lb
- Wind and watertight when roof secured
Available Modifications
Specifications
- Exterior
- 19' 10.5" L x 8' 0" W x 8' 6" H (6,058mm x 2,438mm x 2,591mm)
- Interior
- 19' 4.2" L x 7' 8.6" W x 7' 8.4" H
- Roof opening
- 17' 6.1" L x 7' 3.75" W
- Door opening
- 7' 8.1" W x 7' 5.8" H
- Inside cubic capacity
- 32.5 m³ / 1,150 cu ft
- Max gross weight
- 67,200 lb (30,480 kg)
- Tare weight
- 4,760 lb (2,160 kg)
- Max payload
- 62,440 lb (28,320 kg)
- Floor
- 1-1/8" marine-grade plywood
- Roof
- Removable tarpaulin & bows (soft top) or removable steel panels (hard top)
- Lashing points
- Internal rings and bars
- Forklift pockets
- Yes
- Construction
- Corten steel, ISO-certified, CSC plate
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What Cargo Vault Customers Say
Needed a refrigerated reefer for our catering business. The unit arrived clean, cold, and fully functional. Cargo Vault knows containers inside and out.
The tilt-bed delivery placed our 40ft container exactly where we needed it. The driver was skilled and the whole process was stress-free. Five stars.
Bought two used 20ft containers for equipment storage. Great value, wind and water tight as promised, and delivery was seamless even to our rural location.
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