Key Takeaways
- Offshore open-top containers feature a removable or tarpaulin roof, enabling vertical loading of oversized or irregular cargo with cranes.
- Built with corrosion-resistant steel and certified to DNV 2.7-1, EN 12079, and ISO standards, they ensure durability and safety offshore.
- They support efficient handling of drilling tools, bulky machinery, scrap materials, and long pipes that standard containers cannot accommodate.
- Benefits include faster loading/unloading, reduced labour costs, operational flexibility, and improved turnaround times.
- Choosing the right container depends on size, load capacity, certifications, and potential customisation to suit specialised cargo needs.
Introduction
Oversized or irregular cargo often poses significant logistical challenges in offshore shipping operations. For instance, complex safety and regulatory requirements. They also pose an increased risk of damage and accidents during transit—demanding precision, expertise, and specialised equipment.
Offshore open-top containers maintain a flexible and distinctive form that allows them to handle oversized or irregular cargo. This structural characteristic makes them indispensable in the offshore sectors of energy, marine, and oil and gas.
This article seeks to extensively explore how offshore open-top containers address significant logistical challenges in high-risk offshore operations. It also aims to unpack how they minimise operational downtime and reduce damage risks. Thereby, supporting the uninterrupted flow of materials necessary for exploration and drilling.
What Is an Offshore Open Top Container?
An offshore open-top container is a specialised shipping container distinguished by its lack of a fixed roof. In practice, the fixed roof is replaced by an open top that’s usually covered with a hard cover or detachable tarpaulin.
This distinctive weatherproof design allows it to accommodate large, tall, or unusually shaped cargo that cannot fit through ordinary container doors. This design also enables cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the top using cranes or other heavy lifting equipment.
Businesses usually opt for offshore open-top containers whenever shipping huge equipment that exceeds the dimensions of traditional containers and cannot be loaded by side doors.
For example, heavy machinery, construction materials, scrap metal, and oversized oil rig tools.
Standard offshore containers vs Open Top Containers
The main areas of distinction between open top and standard offshore containers revolve around loading techniques, design, and purpose.
Standard offshore containers have a fixed, sturdy roof and are mainly engineered to hold ordinary cargo that doesn’t exceed standard size restrictions. Furthermore, they are primarily loaded and unloaded through end doors—limiting the size and shape of cargo they can carry.
In stark contrast, open-top containers possess a removable or tarpaulin-covered roof. This feature allows top access for loading and unloading tall or irregularly shaped cargo that cannot fit through standard shipping container doors.
For safe hoisting on offshore platforms and supply boats, offshore open-top containers typically use sling sets and non-corner lifting techniques. On the other hand, standard offshore containers are usually manufactured for stacking and use conventional lifting points and corner castings.
Key Specifications & Standards for Open Top Containers
To maintain compatibility with global shipping infrastructure, open top containers come in 20-foot and 40-foot variants. In fact, their external dimensions are typically around 20ft x 8ft x 8.5ft for the 20ft variant, with internal cubic capacities of 30 cubic meters.
They are natively built with high-strength materials like Corten steel (SPA-H). This material is known for its corrosion resistance and durability against harsh offshore environments. They also often feature sturdy base frames for reinforcement, forklift pockets, and a top-corner pad eye for secure transportation.
A notable feature is their removable tarpaulin or hard roof that facilitates top loading and unloading by cranes or forklifts. Furthermore, they are engineered to meet rigorous offshore industry standards and certifications for safety and reliability. For instance, DNV 2.7-1, EN 12079, and ISO standards such as ISO 10855-1, which provide guidelines specific to offshore container structures.
For more reading, check out: 20ft vs 40ft Offshore Open Top Containers: How To Choose The Right One?
Benefits of Open-Top Containers Offshore
Offshore open top containers offer several benefits, such as:
- Easy loading/unloading: Given their open-top design, which enables vertical loading with cranes, they are ideal for equipment that is larger than typical container dimensions.
- Flexibility with cranes and lifting: Their removable roofs make it easier to employ various lifting equipment to secure uniquely shaped cargo.
- Durability in challenging offshore conditions: They are constructed with corrosion-resistant steel and built to meet rigorous offshore standards, withstand extreme weather, and rough handling.
- Versatility for disparate cargo types: They can comfortably handle disparate heavy machinery, building supplies, and large industrial components.
- Time and cost efficiency: They streamline loading and unloading speeds to cut labour expenses and improve turnaround times.
Typical Use Cases of Open Top Containers
Open top containers are commonly deployed in specific settings and to accomplish unique tasks like:
- Transporting drilling tools and pipes: They facilitate the transportation of long pipes and heavy drilling equipment that cannot fit through standard container doors and dictate top access for crane handling.
- Moving bulky machinery and irregular-shaped cargo: Their detachable tarpaulin roofs facilitate the safely and securely movement of large, tall, or oddly shaped equipment used in construction and offshore projects.
- Waste management and construction materials: They are ideal for loading scrap metal, timber, and general waste materials with large cranes in offshore facility maintenance and construction supply logistics.
How to Choose the Right Offshore Open Top Container?
When evaluating offshore open container suppliers, it’s important to take into account important variables like size, load capacity, and industry certifications. For instance:
- Identify an open-top container that fits the operational space limitations or surpasses the necessary load-bearing capacity for your intended goods.
- Investigate compliance with regulations such as DNV 2.7-1, EN 12079, and ISO.
- Query if they have customisation options to optimise containers for specific needs. For example, adding liners to protect sensitive cargo or reinforcing frames for additional strength.
- Assess if the container has passed key prototype tests, such as 4-point and 2-point lifting tests, to validate structural integrity.
MGS Offshore Solutions
MGS Offshore Solutions provides diverse certified open top containers that facilitate the safe transportation of large loads in oil and gas and marine settings.
For example, their 20ft open top containers feature forklift pockets, top-corner pad eyes for safe lifting, and optional accessories like tarpaulins for cargo protection. Additionally, they are designed to support payload capacities of 12 tons and can be stacked to maximize storage space.
MGS Offshore also customises and fabricates containers to meet diverse customer specifications while maintaining compliance with DNV 2.7-1 and EN 12079 regulations.
To enable operational reliability, MGS Offshore also provides comprehensive support services, including refurbishment, recertification, and spare parts supply. Collectively, these maintenance services help appreciably extend the life of containers whilst maintaining their certification status.
Conclusion
Offshore open top containers play a mission-critical role in the transportation and handling of oversized or irregular cargo in the oil, gas, marine, and energy sectors. Their distinctive design streamlines the top loading of heavy machinery, drilling tools, and bulky equipment that cannot fit through conventional containers.
To smoothen your offshore logistics and minimise operational downtime, consider purchasing certified containers from MGS Offshore. With disparate size, load capacity, and customisation options, we help companies mitigate risks whilst supporting seamless cargo handling and protection.
