Types of Shipping Containers Explained

At Okie Containers, we carry a variety of shipping containers to fit nearly any type of customer need. We sell and lease both new and used 20 ft. and 40 ft. containers, but you may notice several other descriptors used for our containers as well. Because the terminology may be foreign to many people, we’d like to take the time to explain some of the types of containers here.

Below, you’ll find some common terms used for describing the containers we carry and sell to our customers in the Tulsa and Muskogee metro areas:

Cargo-Worthy (CW)

Cargo-worthy (CW) shipping containers are exactly what they sound like: containers that are suitable for overseas shipping. They have been inspected and deemed to meet CSC (International Convention for Safe Containers) requirements for overseas shipping.

After inspection, owners of these containers are issued a certificate, stating the containers are “cargo worthy”. This certificate is then shown to the port authority before the container is loaded onto a ship for overseas movement. The majority of CW containers for sale are about 10-15 years old.

Wind and Water-tight (WWT)

Used containers with dents, scratches, and rust are often labeled as “wind and water-tight”, or WWT for short. They are called wind and water-tight because they do not have holes and do not leak. However, a WWT container may very well have been patched or repaired in some way due to damage sustained during shipping.

WWT containers are typically 10-15 years old as well. Because they have some dents and dings, WWT containers can no longer be shipped overseas. In other words, they are not cargo-worthy. However, WWT containers are great for general storage purposes and a popular choice for customers due to the fact that they are typically less expensive than cargo-worthy continuers.

It’s important to note that before they are sold, WWT containers are inspected by the yard to ensure they meet requirements to be called “wind and water-tight”.

New One-Trip

A new one-trip container isn’t quite “new”, but it has only had one trip across the ocean, so it’s pretty close to it! These containers are thoroughly inspected for damage before going on the market. They have no structural damage, no holes or rust, and are generally very clean containers.

Though new one-trip containers are often more expensive than cargo-worthy and wind/water-tight containers, they have more longevity, lasting for 20 years or more. New one-trips are a great option for businesses who want a clean finish and professional look for their containers.

IICL

IICL stands for International Institute of Container Lessors, which is an organization that sets standards for all industries using shipping containers. An IICL certificate is only issued if the container meets required quality and condition standards used for transporting cargo overseas.

As you might guess, IICL containers are mainly used for transporting cargo. However, they can also be a top option for aftermarket storage or other personal/business uses.

IICL containers are in excellent condition though they may have a few minor dents, dings, and scratches, which is normal during overseas shipping. Many (but not all) one-trip containers are also IICL. IICL containers are also guaranteed to be WWT and should be usable for storage purposes for at least 10-20 years.

If you’re interested in any of the above types of shipping containers, give us a call at Okie Containers at 918-500-1978. We proudly serve the Tulsa and Muskogee metro areas!