Equipment guide
45hc
45ft High Cube Container (45' HC)
The biggest standard box — 86 m³ for maximum-volume loads
The 45ft High Cube adds 1.5 m of length to a 40ft HC, reaching about 86 m³ — the largest widely available ISO box. It's favoured for intra-continental and short-sea trades and for very light, very bulky cargo. Availability is thinner than 40ft equipment, so book earlier and expect fewer depot options.
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External dimensions
| Length | 13,716 mm | 45' |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 2,438 mm | 8' |
| Height | 2,896 mm | 9'6" |
Internal dimensions
| Length | 13,556 mm | 44'6" |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 2,352 mm | 7'9" |
| Height | 2,698 mm | 8'10" |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2,340 × 2,585 mm | 7'8" × 8'6" |
Weights & capacity
| Tare weight | 4,800 kg | 10,582 lb |
|---|---|---|
| Max payload | 25,600 kg | 56,438 lb |
| Max gross weight | 30,400 kg | 67,020 lb |
| Cubic capacity | 86 m³ | 3,037 ft³ |
Pallet capacity (single tier)
33
Euro pallets (1200 × 800 mm)
27
Standard pallets (1200 × 1000 mm)
Typical cargo & use cases
- Maximum-volume light cargo: garments, foam, packaging
- Intra-continental / short-sea and rail corridors
- Project loads needing one long continuous floor
Loading tips
- Check trucking rules first — a 45ft box needs special chassis or permits in some countries.
- Its payload is the lowest of the family (~25.6 t) — it's a volume box, not a weight box.
- 33 Euro pallets fit one-tier; sketch the pattern in the load calculator before booking.
Frequently asked questions
- How much bigger is a 45ft than a 40ft High Cube?
- About 1.5 m longer inside (13.56 m vs 12.03 m) and ~9.6 m³ more volume (86 m³ vs 76.4 m³); width and height are identical.
- Is the 45ft container counted as 2 TEU?
- Operationally it occupies a 40ft slot with an overhang and is usually counted as 2 TEU (sometimes 2.25).
- Is 45ft equipment available on every route?
- No — it's common on intra-Asia, Europe short-sea and some transpacific lanes, but scarce elsewhere. Ask your forwarder about availability before planning around it.