Flat Rack Container

Flat Rack container is designed to carry especially heavy load and overwidth cargo. This type of containers consists of strong bottom construction and end walls. There are also numerous lashing devices on the longitudinal rails and floor. It also can be equipped with stanchions to limit the size of the cargo and to facilitate the process of loading. These containers are available in both fixed-end and collapsible configurations and come with or without walls. This type of container is equipped with additional facility for attaching and transporting the freight. Flat Rack containers are manufactured from steel, and they come in 20 ft and 40 ft sizes. It is also possible to arrange the other lengths such as 10ft and 30ft.

What is a Flat Rack container?

Flat Racks are delivered without tarpaulins. That’s why, the cargo loaded on the flatrack should be appropriately packed to be protected against extreme weather conditions (e.g. during the carriage on the vessel deck). The floor of the flat rack container is significantly high – in 20′ flat rack it measures approx. 30 cm and in 40′ – 60cm. And this limits the road haulage of oversized cargo on flat rack containers. However, it is very often cheaper and easier to transport oversized pieces on standard e.g. tarpaulin truck and re-load it on flat rack container in the port of loading.

As a rule, large items of cargo which can not be stowed into the containers are placed on “tween deck” constructed from two or more flats (during the carriage on a vessel, in port to port destinations). This means that shipping cargo will be complicated and costly. But in many cases it is the only solution for the transport of oversized elements.

Platforms

This container type is the most commonly used in the overseas transport of cargo. The length of Platform is similar to that of 20′ and 40′ containers. These platforms are suitable for carrying heavy and oversized loads. And max. payload of 40′ platform equals approx. 40t and is significantly bigger than payload of other containers. With strong bottom construction it is possible to transport concentrated loads. Sometimes the combination of several platforms “tween deck” is used. It can be constructed on a vessel to facilitate the transport of break loads. Every platform is equipped with strong lashing devices on the longitudinal rails. Such containers consist solely of a wooden floor structure with extremely high loading capacity. Consisting of a steel frame, they have no side or end walls. That’s why, it is possible to concentrate heavy weights on small areas. Lashing rings are installed in the side rails and they may take loads of up to 3.000 kg.

What is Flat Bed Trucking?

Flat bed trucks transport loads, which generally will not be damaged by inclement weather or that will not fit into standard size trailers. This would include shipments such as structural steel, building materials, concrete, heavy machinery, logs, and trees. Flat bed trucks can also haul shipments requiring special equipment like double drop trailers, extended double-drop trailers, or step-deck trailers. Flat bed trucks have even transported bridge parts were a special permitting and police escorts was required.

Many times, flat bed truckloads require special rigging to load goods safely. In many cases a forklift, which can handle up to 30 tons maybe used or cranes in the load is heavier. These oversized loads then must be secured according to trucking regulations and all state laws in which the truck passes through carrying the shipment. In addition to the loading equipment, many companies also offer rigging and packing services for huge pieces that require protection or coverage.