---
title: "Type of equipment"
description: "The type of material used  e.g. 40 feet container  four way pallet or mafi trailer."
url: "https://oceancargo.co.uk/shipping-terms/type-of-equipment"
date: "2026-05-30T13:58:56+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

![Ocean Cargo](https://oceancargo.co.uk/images/GenPics/OCs-Customs-Brokerage.webp)

 # Understanding Shipping Equipment: A Comprehensive Freight Guide

## The Foundation of Global Trade: Shipping Equipment Explained

In the intricate world of global logistics, the success of any shipment hinges on the right equipment. From the moment cargo leaves its origin to its final destination, it interacts with a variety of specialised tools, containers, and vehicles. Understanding the "Type of Equipment" isn't just about knowing a few acronyms; it's about appreciating the engineering and strategic planning that ensures your goods arrive safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. At Ocean Cargo, we believe that an informed client is an empowered client, which is why we've compiled this comprehensive guide to the essential shipping equipment that underpins modern freight forwarding.

Whether you're shipping a single pallet or an entire factory, selecting the appropriate equipment is a critical decision. It impacts everything from transit times and customs compliance to cargo safety and overall cost. This guide will demystify the common types of equipment used in sea, air, and road freight, helping you make informed choices for your next international shipment with Ocean Cargo.

## Standard Shipping Containers: The Backbone of Sea Freight

The humble shipping container revolutionised global trade, standardising cargo transport and enabling the efficient movement of goods across oceans. These robust, intermodal units are designed to be easily transferred between ships, trains, and trucks, forming the core of [sea freight services](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/sea-freight/).

### Common Container Types and Sizes:

- **20-Foot Dry Van (20' DV):** The workhorse of the industry, ideal for general cargo. Dimensions are approximately 20ft long, 8ft wide, and 8.5ft high.
- **40-Foot Dry Van (40' DV):** Doubling the capacity of the 20-foot, this is the most common container for larger shipments. Dimensions are approximately 40ft long, 8ft wide, and 8.5ft high.
- **40-Foot High Cube (40' HC):** Offers an extra foot of height compared to the standard 40-foot container, perfect for lighter, bulkier cargo. Dimensions are approximately 40ft long, 8ft wide, and 9.5ft high.
- **Reefer Containers (Refrigerated):** Essential for temperature-sensitive goods like food, [Pharmaceuticals](https://oceancargo.co.uk/industries/healthcare-pharma "Pharmaceuticals"), and chemicals. These containers maintain a consistent temperature, crucial for [perishables to Australia](https://oceancargo.co.uk/countries/australia/perishables-australia), for example.
- **Open Top Containers:** Designed for oversized cargo that can only be loaded from the top, such as machinery or [construction](https://oceancargo.co.uk/industries/construction-infrastructure-logistics "construction") materials. They come with a removable tarpaulin cover.
- **Flat Rack Containers:** Used for extremely heavy or oversized cargo that won't fit into standard containers. They have no side walls and sometimes no end walls, allowing for loading from the top or sides.
- **Tank Containers (ISO Tanks):** Specialised containers for transporting liquids, gases, and powders in bulk.

Choosing between [Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL)](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/sea-freight/) services depends heavily on your cargo volume. Ocean Cargo provides expert advice to help you select the most economical and efficient container solution for your specific needs, whether you're shipping [excavators and diggers to the UAE](https://oceancargo.co.uk/countries/uae/excavators-diggers-uae) or general goods to the USA.

## Pallets and Skids: The Foundation of Unitised Cargo

Pallets are flat transport structures that support goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, or other jacking device. They are fundamental for efficient handling, storage, and transport of unitised cargo, especially in [road freight](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/road-freight/) and warehousing.

### Key Pallet Types:

- **Standard Wooden Pallets:** The most common type, available in various sizes.
    - **Euro Pallet (EPAL):** 1200mm x 800mm, widely used in Europe.
    - **Standard UK Pallet:** 1200mm x 1000mm.
    - **North American Pallet (GMA):** 48 inches x 40 inches (1219mm x 1016mm).
- **Four-Way Pallet:** Designed to be entered by forklift tines from all four sides, offering maximum flexibility in handling and storage. This is a significant advantage in busy warehouses and loading docks.
- **Two-Way Pallet:** Can only be entered from two opposite sides.
- **Plastic Pallets:** Durable, hygienic, and often used in food, pharmaceutical, and [chemical](https://oceancargo.co.uk/industries/chemical-logistics "chemical") industries. They are also lighter and more resistant to moisture.
- **Metal Pallets:** Extremely robust, used for heavy-duty applications or in environments where hygiene and durability are paramount.
- **Skids:** Similar to pallets but typically lack a bottom deck, making them less stable for stacking but sometimes preferred for very heavy, single-item loads.

Proper palletisation is crucial for cargo safety and space optimisation. Ocean Cargo ensures your goods are correctly prepared and loaded, whether for [sea freight to Canada](https://oceancargo.co.uk/countries/canada/sea-freight-canada) or air freight to the Far East.

## Specialised Equipment for Oversized and Project Cargo

Not all cargo fits neatly into standard containers or onto pallets. Project cargo, heavy lift, and out-of-gauge ([OOG](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/project-logistics "OOG")) shipments require highly specialised equipment and meticulous planning. Ocean Cargo excels in [project logistics](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/project-cargo/), providing tailored solutions for complex movements, such as shipping [wind turbine components to Australia](https://oceancargo.co.uk/countries/australia/wind-turbine-components-blades-nacelles-tower-sections-australia).

### Key Specialised Equipment:

- **Mafi Trailer (Roll Trailer):** A robust, wheeled platform designed for transporting heavy, oversized, or awkward cargo onto Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels. Cargo is loaded onto the mafi trailer at the port, then towed directly onto the ship, eliminating the need for cranes. This is ideal for vehicles, machinery, and large industrial components.
- **Lowboy/Low-Loader Trailers:** Road trailers with a drop deck, allowing for a lower centre of gravity and increased height clearance. Essential for transporting tall machinery or heavy equipment by road.
- **Extendable Trailers:** Road trailers that can be extended in length to accommodate exceptionally long cargo, such as steel beams or wind turbine blades.
- **Multi-Axle Trailers:** Designed to distribute the weight of extremely heavy loads over more axles, reducing pressure on roads and bridges.
- **Breakbulk Vessels:** While not "equipment" in the same sense as a container, these ships are designed to carry non-containerised cargo, often using their own cranes to load and unload. They are crucial for project cargo that cannot be unitised.
- **Heavy Lift Cranes:** Onboard or shore-based cranes with exceptional lifting capacities, vital for handling very heavy components onto or off vessels.

Managing project cargo requires not just the right equipment, but also extensive expertise in route planning, permits, and [customs compliance](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/customs-compliance/). Ocean Cargo's dedicated team provides end-to-end solutions for even the most challenging shipments.

## Air Freight Equipment: Speed and Precision

When speed is paramount, [air freight](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/air-freight/) offers the fastest transit times for international shipments. The equipment used in air cargo is designed for lightweight efficiency and secure handling within an aircraft's specific dimensions.

### Key Air Freight Equipment:

- **Unit Load Devices (ULDs):** These are aircraft-specific containers and pallets used to load luggage, freight, and mail onto wide-body aircraft. They are designed to fit precisely into the aircraft's cargo hold, optimising space and ensuring stability.
    - **Containers (e.g., LD3, LD7, LD11):** Enclosed units that protect cargo and are shaped to fit the contours of the aircraft's fuselage.
    - **Pallets (e.g., PAG, PMC):** Flat platforms with nets that secure cargo.
- **Aircraft Pallets:** Robust, lightweight aluminium or steel pallets specifically designed for air cargo, often with integrated tie-down points.
- **Nets and Straps:** Used to secure cargo onto aircraft pallets or within ULDs, preventing movement during flight.
- **Cool Containers/Active ULDs:** Specialised ULDs with active cooling systems, essential for [Pharmaceuticals](https://oceancargo.co.uk/industries/healthcare-pharma "Pharmaceuticals"), vaccines, and other temperature-sensitive air cargo.

Ocean Cargo leverages its extensive network and expertise to select the most appropriate air freight equipment and routes, ensuring your time-critical shipments reach their destination efficiently and securely.

#### What is the difference between FCL and LCL?

[FCL](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/sea-freight "FCL") (Full Container Load) means your cargo occupies an entire shipping container, regardless of whether it fills it completely. [LCL](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/sea-freight "LCL") (Less than Container Load) means your cargo shares space within a container with other shippers' goods. [FCL](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/sea-freight "FCL") is generally faster and can be more cost-effective for larger volumes, while [LCL](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/sea-freight "LCL") is ideal for smaller shipments that don't require a full container.

#### Why is a four-way pallet better than a two-way pallet?

A four-way pallet allows a forklift or pallet jack to enter from all four sides, offering greater flexibility and efficiency in loading, unloading, and manoeuvring in tight spaces. A two-way pallet can only be accessed from two opposite sides, which can be less convenient in certain warehouse or transport scenarios.

#### What is a Mafi trailer used for?

A Mafi trailer, also known as a roll trailer, is a heavy-duty, wheeled platform used to transport oversized, heavy, or awkward cargo onto and off Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels. It allows cargo to be driven directly onto the ship, simplifying the loading process for items that cannot be easily lifted by cranes, such as large machinery, vehicles, or industrial components.

#### How does Ocean Cargo help with equipment selection?

Ocean Cargo's experienced logistics professionals provide expert consultation to determine the most suitable and cost-effective equipment for your specific cargo. We consider factors such as cargo dimensions, weight, fragility, temperature requirements, destination, and budget to recommend the optimal container, pallet, or specialised equipment, ensuring safe and efficient transport.

#### Are there specific equipment requirements for customs?

While customs primarily focuses on the cargo's contents and documentation, the type of equipment can indirectly affect the process. For instance, certain types of wood pallets may require heat treatment (ISPM 15 certification) to prevent pest transmission, which is checked by customs. Proper loading and securement within the chosen equipment also contribute to a smooth inspection process. Ocean Cargo's [customs compliance](https://oceancargo.co.uk/services/customs-compliance/) team ensures all such requirements are met.

### Ready to simplify your global logistics?

Get advice and a quote for your next shipment. Contact the Ocean Cargo team to start shipping.

[Freight Quote](https://oceancargo.co.uk/contact-us)

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