Equipment guide
20ot

20ft Open Top Container

Removable tarpaulin roof for crane-loaded and over-height cargo

The 20ft open top swaps the steel roof for a removable tarpaulin over roof bows, so cargo can be lowered in by crane and pieces slightly taller than the box can travel with an "in-gauge or over-height" arrangement. The door header also swings out, opening the full end for long items.

Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom

External dimensions

Length6,058 mm19'11"
Width2,438 mm8'
Height2,591 mm8'6"

Internal dimensions

Length5,895 mm19'4"
Width2,350 mm7'9"
Height2,365 mm7'9"
Door opening (W × H)2,338 × 2,244 mm7'8" × 7'4"
Roof opening (L × W)5,443 × 2,204 mm17'10" × 7'3"

Weights & capacity

Tare weight2,350 kg5,181 lb
Max payload28,130 kg62,016 lb
Max gross weight30,480 kg67,197 lb
Cubic capacity32.6 m³1,151 ft³

Pallet capacity (single tier)

11
Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm)
10
Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm)

Typical cargo & use cases

  • Machinery and equipment loaded by crane
  • Over-height cargo up to a modest excess
  • Glass, marble and long profiles needing top access

Loading tips

  • Over-height cargo forfeits stacking — expect an out-of-gauge surcharge and earlier cut-offs.
  • Lash to the internal rings, not the roof bows — bows only carry the tarp.
  • Declare exact over-height in centimetres at booking; vessels plan the slot around it.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use an open top instead of a flat rack?
If the cargo fits within the box's width and length and only needs top loading (or slight over-height), the open top is cheaper and better protected. If it's over-width too, you need a flat rack.
Is open-top cargo protected from rain?
The tarpaulin is weather-resistant when properly fitted and sealed, but for moisture-sensitive cargo add waterproof wrapping — it is not as tight as a steel roof.