40' Open Top
Typical ISO code: 42U1
Practical reference values
- length
- ~12.0 m
- width
- ~2.35 m
- height
- ~2.35 m
- volume
- ~66 m³
- EUR pallets
- 25 EUR pallets
- payload
- ~22 t on the road (40 t)
The 40-foot open top container offers a long surface that can be loaded from above by crane, for long goods, machinery or over-height cargo. High cube versions also exist.
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 the pallets fit
Indicative Honexpres drawing generated from the reference dimensions. Not a manufacturer drawing.
How it is loaded
- top (crane, tarpaulin roof)
- through the door (the door header swings away)
- Top loading by crane; the tarpaulin is secured after loading.
- Over-height cargo: the line’s approval and a special rate at sea; on the road, the legal height limit.
- Water-sensitive goods need extra protection.
Suitable for
- Long goods loaded from above
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Over-height cargo
- long cargo loaded from the top
- machinery
- over-height cargo
Not suitable for
- water-sensitive cargo
Comparison with related types
| Parameter | 40' Open Top | 20' Flat Rack | 40' Flat Rack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~12.0 m | ~5.6 m (between the corner posts) | ~11.7 m (between the corner posts) |
| Internal width | ~2.35 m | ~2.2 m (between the posts) | ~2.2 m (between the posts) |
| Internal height | ~2.35 m | ~2.2 m (height of the end walls) | ~2.2 m (end walls; ~2.4 m on HC) |
| Volume | ~66 m³ | n/a (no side walls or roof) | n/a |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | 25 EUR pallets | not relevant (OOG cargo) | not relevant (OOG cargo) |
| Reference payload | ~22 t on the road (40 t) | ~25 t on the road (40 t) | ~21 t on the road (40 t) |
Detailed specifications
Detailed specifications
| Parameter | Value | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal length | ~12.0 m | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-DSV-OT |
| Internal width | ~2.35 m | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-DSV-OT |
| Internal height | ~2.35 m | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-DSV-OT |
| Volume | ~66 m³ | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-DSV-OT |
| Tare | ~4.0 t | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-DSV-OT |
| Container maximum payload | ~27–28.5 t | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC, S-DSV-OT |
| Reference payload | ~22 t on the road (40 t) | Honexpres calculation | S-DAF-XFC410-FT, S-KRONE-BOX45 |
| EUR pallets (120 × 80 cm) | 25 EUR pallets | Honexpres calculation | |
| Industrial pallets (120 × 100 cm) | 22 industrial pallets (calculation) | Honexpres calculation | |
| Door (width × height) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | shipping line | S-HL-SPEC |
- Internal height: Hapag-Lloyd: 2.38 m in the middle, ~2.35 m at the sides.
- Tare: Hapag-Lloyd 3.85–4.05 t; DSV 3.85 t.
- Container maximum payload: 26.63 t at 30.48 t gross; 28.45–28.5 t at 32.5 t gross.
- Reference payload: 40 − 7.3 − 4.76 − 4.0 = 23.94 t; minus 1 t.
Representative models (manufacturers and lines)
| Inside (mm) | 12,029 / 12,030, 2,350, middle: 2,377 / 2,380; side: 2,344 / 2,347 |
|---|---|
| Roof opening (mm) | 11,552 / 11,573, 2,192 / 2,232 |
| Volume (m³) | 66.3 / 66.5 |
| Tare (kg) | 3,850 / 4,050 |
| Payload (kg) | 26,630 / 28,500 |
| Max. gross (kg) | 30,480 / 32,500 |
| Hc open top | inside_height_mm: 2,649 / 2,683; volume_m3: 74.9; tare_kg: 4,250 |
Source: Hapag-Lloyd — Container Specification (PDF) · accessed 2026-09-26
| Inside (m) | 12.03 / 2.35 / 2.38 |
|---|---|
| Roof opening (m) | 11.57 / 2.21 |
| Tare (kg) | 3,850 |
| Payload (kg) | 26,630 |
| Volume (m³) | 66.4 |
Source: DSV — open top · 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
- There is also a 40' HC Open Top (Hapag-Lloyd: ~2.65–2.68 m internal, 74.9 m³).
- Over-height: special rate at sea; on the road 4.00 m in total.
Sources and verification
Confidence level: medium — One line (Hapag-Lloyd 2016) and DSV.
- DAF XFC 410 FT 4x2 Tractor — specification sheet · DAF Trucks UK · accessed 2026-09-26
- DSV — open top · 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
- Wikipedia — Intermodal container (cites ISO 668) · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-09-23
Reference dataset 2026.09.27-1
Can machinery be loaded in an open top?
Yes, if it fits within the width and can be lifted by crane. For machinery that is too wide, the flat rack is the answer. See also machinery transport.
Services using this type
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' Flat Rack
~11.7 m (between the corner posts) · ~2.2 m (between the posts) · ~2.2 m (end walls; ~2.4 m on HC) · n/a · not relevant (OOG cargo) · ~21 t on the road (40 t)