40' Flat Rack
Typical ISO code: 45P3 / 42P3 (collapsible)
Practical reference values
- length
- ~11.7 m (between the corner posts)
- width
- ~2.2 m (between the posts)
- height
- ~2.2 m (end walls; ~2.4 m on HC)
- volume
- n/a
- EUR pallets
- not relevant (OOG cargo)
- payload
- ~21 t on the road (40 t)
The 40-foot flat rack container is used for heavy and long machinery, structures, pipes or boats. The maximum mass differs a lot between shipping lines, so it is confirmed at booking for the specific container.
Practical reference values. We confirm the exact dimensions in the quote. Honexpres organises transport with this vehicle, on request.
Shipping lines publish slightly different values; per-line values are in the detailed specifications. On the road, the cargo weight may be limited by the total combination mass (40 t).
Request a sea freight quote with this container Road haulage of the container from the port
How it is loaded
- top (crane)
- side (forklift)
- Loaded from above or from the side, by crane.
- The maximum load can be used only with the weight spread over the side beams.
- Out-of-gauge cargo needs the line’s approval, extra charges and specialist lashing.
- On the road, beyond the legal dimensions or permitted weight, a special permit is required.
Suitable for
- Heavy and long machinery
- Steel structures and pipes
- Boats
- heavy, long machinery
- structures, pipes, boats
Not suitable for
- palletised cargo
- weather-sensitive cargo
Comparison with related types
| Parameter | 40' Flat Rack | 20' Flat Rack | 40' Open Top |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~11.7 m (between the corner posts) | ~5.6 m (between the corner posts) | ~12.0 m |
| Internal width | ~2.2 m (between the posts) | ~2.2 m (between the posts) | ~2.35 m |
| Internal height | ~2.2 m (end walls; ~2.4 m on HC) | ~2.2 m (height of the end walls) | ~2.35 m |
| Volume | n/a | n/a (no side walls or roof) | ~66 m³ |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | not relevant (OOG cargo) | not relevant (OOG cargo) | 25 EUR pallets |
| Reference payload | ~21 t on the road (40 t) | ~25 t on the road (40 t) | ~22 t on the road (40 t) |
Detailed specifications
Detailed specifications
| Parameter | Value | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~11.7 m (between the corner posts) | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-SAMSKIP-EQUIP, S-DSV-FR |
| Internal width | ~2.2 m (between the posts) | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-SAMSKIP-EQUIP, S-DSV-FR |
| Internal height | ~2.2 m (end walls; ~2.4 m on HC) | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-SAMSKIP-EQUIP, S-DSV-FR |
| Volume | n/a | shipping line | |
| Tare | ~5.5 t | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-SAMSKIP-EQUIP, S-DSV-FR |
| Container maximum payload | ~40 t (varies 28–54 t between lines) | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-DSV-FR, S-SAMSKIP-EQUIP |
| Reference payload | ~21 t on the road (40 t) | Honexpres calculation | S-DAF-XFC410-FT, S-KRONE-BOX45 |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | not relevant (OOG cargo) | Honexpres calculation | |
| Industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm) | not relevant | Honexpres calculation |
- Internal length: Hapag-Lloyd 11.652 m; Samskip 11.73–11.75 m; DSV 11.66 m.
- Internal width: Hapag-Lloyd 2.15–2.23 m; Samskip 2.21–2.27 m.
- Internal height: DSV 2.14–2.25 m; Hapag-Lloyd HC ~2.25–2.26 m; Samskip HC 2.43 m.
- Tare: Hapag-Lloyd 5.80–5.95 t; Samskip 4.85–5.35 t; DSV 5.0–5.7 t.
- Container maximum payload: DSV 39.3–40 t; Hapag-Lloyd 44–54 t (gross 50–60 t); Samskip gross 34 t.
- Reference payload: 40 − 7.3 − 4.76 − 5.5 = 22.44 t; minus 1 t. Heavy cargo usually travels on a low loader with an AST permit.
Representative models (manufacturers and lines)
| Length between corner posts (mm) | 11,652 |
|---|---|
| Width between corner posts (mm) | 2,148 / 2,226 |
| Bottom height (mm) | 648 |
| Tare (kg) | 5,800 / 5,950 |
| Payload (kg) | 44,050 / 54,200 |
| Max. gross (kg) | 50,000 / 60,000 |
| Gooseneck tunnel | at both ends |
| Note | the columns of the PDF table are shifted on extraction; the width has MEDIUM confidence |
Source: Hapag-Lloyd — Container Specification (PDF) · accessed 2026-09-26
| Length side loading (m) | 11.75 / 11.73 |
|---|---|
| Length top loading (m) | 11.93 / 11.95 |
| Width inside stanchions (m) | 2.26 / 2.21 |
| Height (m) | 2.35 / 2.43 |
| Tare (t) | 4.85 / 5.35 |
| Max. gross (t) | 34 |
Source: Samskip — Equipment: details and internal dimensions · accessed 2026-09-26
| Inside (m) | 11.66, 2.2 / 2.4, 2.14 / 2.25 |
|---|---|
| Tare (kg) | 5,000 / 5,700 |
| Payload (kg) | 39,300 / 40,000 |
Source: DSV — flat rack · accessed 2026-09-23
Legal limits Requires legal validation
Requires legal validation
- Maximum mass on the road: 40 t combination; 44 t intermodal (in Romania only on category R roads)
- Maximum height: 4.00 m on the road (container + chassis)
- Maximum gross mass (ISO): 36,000 kg ISO 668 (Amd. 2016); the real value is on the CSC plate
- VGM (verified gross mass): VGM mandatory for sea export (SOLAS VI/2, from 1 July 2016)
09 §1.1–1.2 (96/53, 2015/719) · 09 §1.4 (OG 43) · 09 §3.1 (ISO 668, CSC plate) · 09 §3.4 (VGM, SOLAS) · 09 §3.5 (road weights)
Exceptions and limitations
- The maximum gross mass differs enormously between lines (34–60 t): it is confirmed on the booking.
- Maximum payload only with the weight spread over the side beams (Hapag-Lloyd).
- On the road: AST permit above the gauge or above 40 t.
Sources and verification
Confidence level: medium — Three sources agree on the length; the gross mass and the height differ between series.
- DAF XFC 410 FT 4x2 Tractor — specification sheet · DAF Trucks UK · accessed 2026-09-26
- DSV — flat rack · DSV · accessed 2026-09-23
- Directive (EU) 2015/719 · Publications Office UE · accessed 2026-09-23
- Directive 96/53/EC, consolidated 14.08.2019 · Publications Office UE · accessed 2026-09-23
- Hapag-Lloyd — Container Specification (PDF) · Hapag-Lloyd · accessed 2026-09-26
- IMO — Verification of the gross mass · IMO · accessed 2026-09-23
- Krone Box Liner SDC 27 eL45 (multi chassis, extendable) — datasheet · Krone · accessed 2026-09-26
- OG 43/1997 republished, consolidated 17.09.2026 (hosted by CNAIR) · CNAIR · accessed 2026-09-23
- Samskip — Equipment: details and internal dimensions · Samskip (multimodal / short-sea operator) · accessed 2026-09-26
- Wikipedia — Intermodal container (cites ISO 668) · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-23
Reference dataset 2026.09.27-1
Who lashes cargo on a flat rack?
A specialist lashing company, in port or at loading, following the shipping line’s requirements. We coordinate it as part of sea freight.
Services using this type
Oversized / abnormal load transport
very large or heavy cargo, with permits
Machinery transport
machines and industrial equipment
Sea freight (FCL / LCL)
full containers (FCL) or groupage (LCL)
Alternatives
20' Flat Rack
~5.6 m (between the corner posts) · ~2.2 m (between the posts) · ~2.2 m (height of the end walls) · n/a (no side walls or roof) · not relevant (OOG cargo) · ~25 t on the road (40 t)
40' Open Top
~12.0 m · ~2.35 m · ~2.35 m · ~66 m³ · 25 EUR pallets · ~22 t on the road (40 t)