Equipment guide
40fr
40ft Flat Rack Container
The project-cargo platform — up to ~39 t payload on 12 metres
The 40ft flat rack is the standard platform for project cargo: a 12-metre reinforced bed rated far above normal boxes (typical max gross 45 t). With no roof or side walls, over-width and over-height pieces ride on it routinely — construction machinery, boats, plant modules — planned as out-of-gauge cargo.
Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
External dimensions
| Length | 12,192 mm | 40' |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 2,438 mm | 8' |
| Height | 2,591 mm | 8'6" |
Internal dimensions
| Length | 11,660 mm | 38'3" |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 2,438 mm | 8' |
| Height | 1,955 mm | 6'5" |
Weights & capacity
| Tare weight | 5,700 kg | 12,566 lb |
|---|---|---|
| Max payload | 39,300 kg | 86,642 lb |
| Max gross weight | 45,000 kg | 99,208 lb |
Typical cargo & use cases
- Construction and mining machinery: excavators, loaders
- Industrial plant modules, tanks and pressure vessels
- Yachts and oversized vehicles
Loading tips
- The bed height (~0.65 m) counts against road height limits — verify the full transport chain, not just the sea leg.
- Welding lashing points to the cargo frame is common — coordinate with a marine surveyor.
- Get OOG dimensions surveyed and certified; carriers reject bookings on estimated numbers.
Frequently asked questions
- Flat rack or breakbulk — which is cheaper for oversized cargo?
- For pieces that fit a flat rack (even with moderate OOG), container service is usually cheaper and far more frequent. Breakbulk wins for pieces beyond ~40 t or extreme dimensions.
- Can flat racks be stacked when empty?
- Collapsible-end units fold flat and interlock — typically 4 folded units travel in one 40ft slot, which keeps repositioning costs down.