How to Stack Shipping Containers Safely

by | Jun 23, 2021 | Uncategorized

With a limited amount of space, it’s important for companies to take advantage of the space that they have. One of the many benefits of using shipping containers on your site is their flexibility. By being transportable and stackable, companies can reduce the amount of floor space and allow it be used for more important needs. However, it’s important that all companies follow the proper safety guidelines and instructions when stacking shipping containers. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some helpful tips that will make stacking your containers an easy process.

1. Confirm Weight & Number of Containers

When stacking shipping containers, it’s important to know how much weight they can withstand and how many containers can be stacked on top of each other. In general, a 20′ container may weigh up to 5000 pounds and hold up to 60,000 pounds. A 40′ container may weigh up to 10,000 pounds and hold up to 120,000 pounds. However, it’s important to know how much weight is held within the container and how many containers will be stacked. Typically, shipping containers can be stacked up to nine containers high, but it’s also important to know what the maximum stack load is for the bottom container. This information can be found on the CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) plate or in the container’s documentation.

2. Lift and Stack Containers Properly

When stacking your shipping containers, your crew can use either a crane or straddle carrier to easily lift them. The benefits of this method are that it’s faster, safer, and more accurate than using a forklift. In order to stack using a crane or straddle carrier, the crew must attach them to the corner castings. The corner castings are the four corners on the top and bottom of the container.

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3. Secure Containers to Each Other

So, you have your containers stacked on top of each other, but your job isn’t done yet. To ensure that the containers stay safely in place, twist locks (pictured below) must be used to secure the four corners of the containers to one another. To use these locks, the twist locks are inserted into the elongated holes of the corner castings. To secure the containers, the handle must be turned 90 degrees. This process is repeated for each container that you wish to stack.

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By following these instructions, your company will ensure that your stacked containers are safely secured and ready to be used. If you have any additional questions or concerns about multi-container structures, call us at 740.532.7822, email us at sales@dropboxinc.com, or fill out a form.

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