# Container sizes and load capacity

> Published: 2026-04-20




    In international sea transportation of concentrated juices, the most important factor is the ratio of cargo volume and weight. Concentrated juice is a very dense and heavy product (the density of apple concentrate is about 1.35 g/cm³). Because of this, the container's payload capacity is reached much earlier than its internal volume is filled.
    That is why the main transport module for juices in drums is the 20-foot standard container (20" Dry Van). The use of 40-foot containers for drums is impractical, since the container would be half empty by volume due to exceeding the maximum permissible weight.

    
        Characteristics of a 20-foot standard container
        These parameters are averaged standards (ISO). Exact values may vary by millimetres depending on the container manufacturer, but they are always within the tolerances to ensure compatibility with port equipment.
        
            ParameterValue
            Internal length5 898 mm
            Internal width2 352 mm
            Internal height2 393 mm
            Door opening width2 340 mm
            Door opening height2 280 mm
            Internal volume (cubic capacity)33.2 m³
            Empty container weight (tare)2 080 - 2 200 kg
            Maximum payload21 700 - 28 200 kg
            Maximum gross weight24 000 - 30 480 kg
        
        A standard load for such a container is 80 steel drums on 20 pallets. The total gross cargo weight is then about 22-23 tonnes, which optimally fits within the weight limits of both sea lines and road transport for subsequent door-to-door delivery.
    


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