20ft Side Opening Containers Felixstowe

What is a 20ft side opening container?

A side opening container, also described as full side access, has cargo doors along the long side as well as doors at one end. On a full side access design, the side doors open across most of the 20ft length, giving a much wider loading area than the end doorway alone.

This can make a practical difference when storing pallets, long materials, bulky equipment or stock that needs to be reached without unloading everything in front of it. Goods can be approached from different points along the side rather than arranged solely around access from one end.

The wider opening also changes how the container needs to be positioned. You need clear working space alongside the unit as well as at the end doors. If all loading will take place through one end, a 20ft standard shipping container may be the simpler choice.

20ft side opening container dimensions

Published specifications vary between manufacturers and designs, particularly because the side door structure can affect internal dimensions. The following figures are representative of one 20ft full side access specification and should be used for initial planning rather than as guaranteed measurements.

Another published full side access specification gives slightly different internal measurements, which shows why the actual container matters. Reinforcement around the side opening can also reduce usable internal width or height compared with a conventional dry container. If pallets, machinery or another item will be a close fit, confirm the actual internal dimensions and both door openings before ordering.

20ft high cube side opening containers

A high cube side opening container combines full-length side access with extra height. A published 20ft high cube side opening specification gives external dimensions of approximately 6,058mm long, 2,438mm wide and 2,896mm high. In imperial measurements, that is 20ft by 8ft by 9ft 6in.

The same specification gives an internal length of about 5,898mm, an internal width of 2,287mm and an internal height of 2,607mm. That is roughly 19ft 4in long, 7ft 6in wide and 8ft 7in high. Specifications can differ between manufacturers, so these figures should still be checked against the unit being offered.

The high cube version is worth considering when height is the limiting factor. Taller equipment, stacked goods or storage systems may benefit from the additional clearance. If you do not need the extra height, the standard-height side opener keeps the same basic access idea without increasing the overall container height.

Extra height also affects delivery. Low branches, cables, entrances and other overhead restrictions that accommodate a standard-height container may not provide enough clearance for a high cube on the delivery vehicle.

Buying or hiring a side opening container

Buying can suit an ongoing requirement where you expect the container to stay in regular use. It gives you control over its future use, subject to the container structure, site and any planning or modification requirements. Check both the side doors and end doors carefully, as everyday usability depends on the hinges, locking bars, seals and door alignment working properly.

Hire can suit temporary storage, a project with a defined period or a requirement that may change. Before agreeing to hire, check the permitted use, hire period, responsibilities for damage and collection arrangements. Modifications to a hired container may be restricted, so discuss any proposed racking, partitions, electrical work or other changes before proceeding.

The container equipment range can help you compare side opening equipment with standard, tunnel, open top and other layouts before deciding which access arrangement is actually needed.

Plan how you will use the side doors.

Full side access is most useful when the site layout lets you use it. A container positioned tight against a wall, fence or building loses much of the benefit because the side doors cannot open properly.

Think about where forklifts, pallet trucks or people will approach from. Leave enough room for the doors to fold or swing clear and for goods to be handled without blocking another access route. If only part of the side opening will normally be used, plan the internal layout around that working area.

Security also needs consideration. A side opener has more door hardware than a conventional container, so every access point should have a locking arrangement appropriate to the site and contents. A lockbox may help shield a padlock where fitted, but it does not remove every security risk.

HIAB delivery and site preparation in Felixstowe

A 20ft container may fit comfortably in the proposed position but still be difficult to deliver. Where HIAB placement is used, the crane-equipped vehicle needs a suitable route, room to manoeuvre and a workable position from which the container can be lifted into place.

Measure the narrowest gate or access point and check tight turns, parked vehicles and changes in ground level. Look above the route for cables, branches, roofs, signs and other obstructions. For a high cube container, pay particular attention to overall height clearance during access.

Tell the supplier which way the end doors and opening side need to face. Crane reach can affect what is possible, so a requested position should not be treated as confirmed until the delivery arrangement has been checked.

The final position should provide firm, reasonably level support suited to the site and expected load. Uneven settlement can twist the container sufficiently to make the large side doors or end doors difficult to operate. Drainage should carry water away from the door areas rather than allowing it to collect around the entrances. See the advice on proper shipping container placement when preparing the site.

Condition, weather protection and condensation

Terms such as one-trip, used, wind and watertight and cargo-worthy describe different things. One-trip generally means the container has completed a limited initial shipping movement. It does not mean unused, and handling marks or minor cosmetic damage may still be present.

Wind and watertight refers to resistance to ordinary weather ingress when the container and its seals are in suitable condition. It does not mean airtight. With a side-opening container, check the seals around the additional doors as well as the roof, floor and end doors.

Condensation can form when moisture inside the container meets cold steel surfaces. Ventilation, suitable packaging, lining or insulation may help depending on the contents and storage conditions, but none is a universal solution. The explanation of shipping containers and water resistance covers the distinction between weather protection and moisture inside the container.

Export use and CSC status

Some side opening containers are built for cargo transport as well as storage, but do not assume that every unit offered for sale or hire is suitable for export. If international shipping is planned, say so at the enquiry stage and confirm the condition, current CSC status, lashing arrangements and carrier acceptance for the actual container.

CSC status, cargo-worthiness and a wind and watertight storage description are not interchangeable. Requirements can vary with the container, cargo, shipping line and journey, so check transport requirements with the freight forwarder or carrier before committing to the unit.

Planning considerations in Felixstowe

Requirements can depend on the intended use, how long the container will remain in place, the status and location of the site, neighbouring property, listed status, conservation areas, a change of use and any associated works or modifications.

There is no single planning rule that applies to every side opening container. Check the current requirements with the relevant local council before committing to a longer-term placement, conversion or use rather than assuming that permission is always required or always unnecessary.

What to include in your enquiry

Start with the way you need to access the goods. State whether you need standard height or high cube, whether you want to buy or hire, what will be stored and how it will be loaded. If forklift access from the side is important, include that in the enquiry.

For delivery, provide the Felixstowe site location, access measurements, proposed container position, opening-side orientation, ground conditions and any overhead restrictions. If the goods will be a close fit, provide their dimensions as well so the actual container specification can be checked.

You can then request a container quote with enough information to compare the appropriate 20ft side-opening option.