Open top shipping containers retain the same robust steel frame and end doors of a standard container, but replace the fixed roof with a removable tarpaulin cover that can be secured using integrated lashing bars and devices. This configuration allows cargo to be lowered directly into the container from above - removing the constraints on height that a fixed-roof unit would impose.

These containers feature reinforced top rails and ISO corner fittings for safe crane lifting and secure transport, standard end doors for conventional loading when required, steel floors for durability and stability, and forklift pockets for easy on-site handling. Multiple loading options are available: top-loading via crane or Hiab, or conventional door entry.

Open top containers are widely used in construction, mining, agriculture, and oil and gas industries, where the ability to load oversized, heavyweight, or bulk commodities vertically is an essential operational requirement.

Learn more about shipping container sizes and their applications.

• Oversized machinery and equipment: Lower tall machinery, structural components, or prefabricated elements directly into the container without height restriction.
• Bulk commodity handling: Top-load grains, coal, ores, aggregates, or scrap metal that can be tipped in from above and discharged easily.
• Large pipes and tanks: Transport long pipes, pressure vessels, and oversized installations where a removable roof provides the necessary clearance.
• Construction materials: Move oversized beams, prefabricated panels, and structural steelwork requiring vertical loading on and off site.
• Mining and minerals: Top-load drilling equipment, bulk ores, and aggregates on mining and quarrying sites.
• Agricultural commodities: Load produce, baled goods, or bulk agricultural products that are easier to tip in from above.
• Oil and gas logistics: Transport large valves, pipeline sections, and heavy specialist components for the energy sector.

1. Should I hire or buy an open top container?

Hire suits short-term or one-off projects involving over-height cargo, while buying is more cost-effective if you regularly handle bulk or oversized goods. Willbox offers open top containers for hire or purchase in 20ft and 40ft sizes.

2. What size open top container do I need?

A 20ft open top suits smaller volumes of oversized or bulk cargo, while the 40ft version offers greater capacity for larger machinery or higher volumes of bulk commodities. Willbox can help you choose based on what you need to load and how it will be handled.

3. How is cargo loaded into an open top container?

Cargo is loaded from above using a crane, Hiab, or forklift, thanks to the removable tarpaulin roof that replaces the fixed roof of a standard container. Standard end doors are also available for conventional loading when top access isn't needed.

4. Are open top containers secure and weather resistant?

Yes, the tarpaulin cover secures using integrated lashing bars and devices, and the units retain the same robust steel frame and end doors as a standard container. Reinforced top rails and ISO corner fittings also allow for safe crane lifting and secure transport.

5. What industries use open top containers?

Open top containers are widely used in construction, mining, agriculture, and oil and gas, wherever oversized, heavyweight, or bulk commodities need to be loaded vertically. They're particularly useful for cargo that exceeds the internal height of an enclosed container.

6. What access is needed to deliver and later load an open top container?

Standard HIAB or flatbed delivery applies, but it's worth planning ahead for the crane or Hiab access you'll need for top-loading cargo once the container is in position. Make sure there's enough overhead clearance on-site, not just for delivery, but for ongoing use.