🚛 How Do I Move a Shipping Container?
🚛 How Do I Move a Shipping Container?
Step-by-step guide for safely and efficiently relocating your cargo box.
Shipping containers are the backbone of global trade. But whether you're an exporter, a logistics company, or just moving your personal goods, the big question often is:
“How do I actually move a shipping container?”
With a standard 20-foot or 40-foot steel box weighing several tons (even when empty), moving one isn't as easy as towing a car. But with the right equipment, planning, and partners, it becomes manageable — and even routine in logistics.
Let’s break down how it’s done. https://www.arc-worldwide.com/import/sea-freight-from-monaco-to-india.html
🔹 Step 1: Determine the Container Size & Weight
Before anything else, know what you’re dealing with. Most common container sizes:
Type | Dimensions | Empty Weight | Max Gross Weight |
---|---|---|---|
20ft | 20’ x 8’ x 8.6’ | ~2,300 kg | ~24,000 kg |
40ft | 40’ x 8’ x 8.6’ | ~3,800 kg | ~30,480 kg |
The heavier or fuller the container, the more robust the moving setup must be. https://www.arc-worldwide.com/export/sea-freight-from-india-to-russia.html
🔹 Step 2: Choose the Right Moving Equipment
Moving a container requires specialized transport and lifting gear. Common options include:
✅ 1. Tilt Bed or Roll-Off Truck
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Best for short distances
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Truck tilts to allow container to slide off
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Ideal for empty or lightly loaded containers
✅ 2. Flatbed or Step-Deck Trailer
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Used for longer highway transportation
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Requires crane or forklift to load/unload
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Can carry loaded containers
✅ 3. Chassis Trailer
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Standard in port-to-port shipping
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Container locks onto chassis
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Often used by shipping lines and container depots
✅ 4. Crane, Reach Stacker or Forklift
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For lifting containers onto trailers or ground
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Reach stackers are common at depots/ports
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Large forklifts can handle empty 20' or 40' units https://www.arc-worldwide.com/export/sea-freight-from-india-to-united-arab-emirates.html
🔹 Step 3: Prepare the Pickup & Drop-off Locations
Your pickup and delivery sites must have:
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Flat, stable surface
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Sufficient clearance (10–12 feet wide & 20–40 feet long)
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No overhead wires or obstacles for cranes or tilt trucks
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Access roads that support heavy vehicles
Tip: A level surface ensures safe loading/unloading and keeps doors functional.
🔹 Step 4: Coordinate with a Freight Handler or Container Hauler
Unless you're in the logistics business, hire a professional:
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Container haulers specialize in intermodal container movement
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They manage equipment, permits, safety, and routing
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Can arrange crane services if needed
Look for experienced companies with:
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Valid transport licenses
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Insurance coverage
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Positive reviews and fleet info https://www.arc-worldwide.com/import/sea-freight-from-switzerland-to-uae.html
🔹 Step 5: Loading & Securing the Container
Whether loading at your warehouse or a port, ensure:
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The container is evenly loaded (to avoid tipping)
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Goods are secured to prevent shifting
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Container doors are locked and sealed
If using a flatbed trailer or train:
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Use twist locks, chains, or straps to secure the container
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Check DOT or transport regulations in your region
🔹 Optional: Local Permits or Escorts
In some areas (especially urban or cross-state routes), you may need:
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Oversize load permits
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Traffic police escorts
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Time restrictions on movement
A good hauler will guide you on this. https://www.arc-worldwide.com/city/sea-freight-forwarding-kolkata.html
🔸 Bonus Tip: Consider Using a Freight Forwarder
If you're moving a container internationally, freight forwarders:
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Handle customs, shipping documentation, loading coordination
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Work with shipping lines and port operators
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Can bundle transport + ocean freight in one package
🧭 Final Thought: Don’t DIY – Partner Smart
Moving a container isn’t a one-man job. It’s a coordination of:
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Engineering
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Logistics
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Safety compliance
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Timing
"Think of a container like a mobile warehouse — it’s valuable, heavy, and demands respect."
https://www.arc-worldwide.com/import/sea-freight-from-micronesia-to-india.html
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