Brisbane • Buy or Hire • Delivered Australia-wide
Open Top Shipping Containers
Open top 20 and 40 ft containers with removable tarp roofs for crane-loading tall, heavy and awkward cargo. Buy or hire.
- Price Beat Guarantee
- 48-hr dispatch from Brisbane
- Australia-wide delivery
- Plenty of stock, ready to go
- 100% Australian OwnedLocal Brisbane business
- Our Own Brisbane YardUpper Mount Gravatt
- Fast SEQ DeliveryBrisbane, Gold & Sunshine Coast
- Inspected Before DeliveryNew & used, wind and water tight
- Top Rated on GoogleSee our reviews below
Brisbane Shipping
Open Top Shipping Containers – For Sale & Hire
Choosing an open top shipping container offers unmatched versatility and practicality for businesses dealing with oversized or heavy cargo. Unlike standard containers, these units are designed with a removable roof, making them ideal for top-loading with cranes, hoists, or grabs. This feature makes them the go-to option for transporting industrial-length steel, large machinery, vehicles, and construction materials that can’t fit through standard container doors.
Built with heavy-duty corrugated steel, our open top shipping containers provide robust protection against harsh weather conditions and external impacts. With the flexibility of both top and front loading, cargo handling becomes simpler and safer. Secure tarpaulin or hard roof options ensure goods remain protected from the elements during transport or storage.
Available in 20ft and 40ft open top shipping container dimensions, these units are suitable for industrial, commercial, and even personal use. At Shipping Containers Brisbane, we guarantee all containers meet the highest quality standards, giving you durable and reliable performance for every application.
Why Choose Our Open Top Shipping Container?
Open top containers are specifically designed for oversized or bulky goods. Unlike traditional containers with fixed roofs, these units feature either a removable tarpaulin or a detachable steel top. This allows for quick and safe access from above, making them perfect for difficult cargo loads.
Benefits of an Open Top Shipping Container:
- Easy Top Loading: Ideal for cranes and hoists to lower cargo directly into the container.
- Flexible Access: Allows both top and front loading for greater convenience.
- Secure Protection: Options for durable tarpaulin covers or steel roofs to safeguard goods.
- Built to Last: Constructed from heavy-duty corrugated steel for maximum durability.
- Versatile Applications: Suitable for machinery, steel beams, vehicles, and construction materials.
For businesses moving oversized items on an open top container ship, these containers simplify loading and unloading, reducing time and labour costs.
Loading tall or heavy cargo?
Open top 20 & 40 ft containers to buy or hire, delivered across SEQ.
Principal Features of our Open Top Shipping Containers:
Why Choose Shipping Containers Brisbane?
| Specifications | 20ft Open Top Shipping Containers | 40ft Open Top Shipping Containers |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Cubic Capacity | 32.0 m3 | 64 m3 |
| Max Gross Weight | 21,832 kg | 28,280 kg |
| Tare Weight | 2,177 kg | 4,300 kg |
| Dimensions | Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Open Top External | 6.06 m (20′) | 2.44 m (8′) | 2.90 m (9’6”) |
| 20ft Open Top Internal | 5.80 m | 2.29 m | 2.66 m |
| Dimensions | length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40ft Open Top External | 12.19 m (40′) | 2.90 m (9’6”) | 2.90 m (9’6”) |
| 40ft Open Top Internal | 12.00 m | 2.66 m | 2.66 m |
| Open Top Door Size | 2.34 m | 2.58 m | 2.66 m |
HARD TOP VS SOFT TOP OPTIONS
When purchasing an open top shipping container for sale, you can choose between two designs:
- Soft Top Containers – Equipped with reinforced tarpaulins for flexible covering and excellent weather protection.
- Hard Top Containers – Feature removable steel panels that provide extra security for high-value or fragile cargo.
Both options offer the same benefits of top-loading access and portability, allowing you to select the right design for your business needs.
USED OPEN TOP SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR SALE
In addition to brand-new containers, we also stock used open top shipping containers for sale at competitive prices. Each second-hand unit is fully inspected, repainted, and refurbished to meet Australian quality standards.
A used open top shipping container for sale is a cost-effective solution for businesses that require durability and function without the expense of a brand-new model. This option is particularly popular among industries with short-term or seasonal projects.
For broader information about containerised trade in Australia, see the Freight & Trade Alliance.
THE FLAT RACK SOLUTION TO OVER-HEIGHT CARGOES
For cargo that exceeds standard open top shipping container dimensions, flat rack containers may be the better choice.
Flat racks provide loading flexibility with collapsible or fixed ends, allowing for top, front, or side-loading. They are especially useful for oversized machinery, timber, and industrial tanks that won’t fit within an open top container. Our team can help you determine whether an open top container or a flat rack is the best solution for your project.
WHY CHOOSE SHIPPING CONTAINERS BRISBANE?
- Fast delivery across Brisbane, Queensland, and Australia-wide.
- A wide range of open top shipping containers for sale in both new and used condition.
- Expertise in container solutions with decades of experience.
- Customisable options including branding, insulation, and fit-outs.
- Competitive pricing with our Price Beat Guarantee.
GET YOUR OPEN TOP SHIPPING CONTAINER TODAY
Ready to invest in a durable and versatile open top shipping container? Whether you need a compact 20ft unit or a spacious 40ft container, Shipping Containers Brisbane has the right solution.
- Choose between hard or soft tops.
- Select from new or used models.
- Get expert advice on the best option for your cargo.
👉 Contact our team today for a free quote and secure the ideal open top shipping container for sale for your business.
Open Top Shipping Containers for Tall and Heavy Loads
Open top shipping containers have a removable tarp roof so oversized cargo can be crane or forklift loaded from above. They are ideal for machinery, timber, steel and bulky equipment, and follow the ISO container standards used worldwide. Call (07) 3185 2170 to buy or hire open top shipping containers in Brisbane.
Open Top Container Dimensions
External sizes match standard containers.
| Size | 20 ft Standard | 40 ft Standard | 40 ft High Cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| External (L × W × H) | 6.06 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.59 m | 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.90 m |
| Internal (L × W × H) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m |
| Door opening (W × H) | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.28 m | 2.34 × 2.58 m |
| Capacity | approx. 33 m³ | approx. 67 m³ | approx. 76 m³ |
| Tare weight | approx. 2,200 kg | approx. 3,700 kg | approx. 3,900 kg |
All measurements are approximate and can vary slightly by manufacturer and grade. See our full shipping container dimensions guide.
Open Top Container FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we hear most.
What are open top shipping containers used for?
Open top shipping containers are used for tall, heavy or awkward cargo such as machinery, timber, steel and scrap that must be loaded from above by crane.
Do open top shipping containers have a roof?
Open top shipping containers have removable roof bows and a heavy-duty tarpaulin cover, so cargo stays protected once loaded.
Can I buy or hire open top shipping containers in Brisbane?
Yes. We sell and hire open top shipping containers in 20 and 40 ft sizes, delivered across South East Queensland.
What sizes are available?
We offer both 20ft and 40ft open top shipping container dimensions, with full specifications provided above.
What’s the difference between soft top and hard top containers?
Soft tops use tarpaulins for flexible covering, while hard tops feature removable steel roofs for extra security.
Can these containers be used on ships?
Yes. Open tops are designed for easy crane access and are frequently used on an open top container ship for transporting oversized cargo.
Do you deliver outside Brisbane?
Yes. We deliver across South East Queensland and can arrange delivery to regional Queensland and interstate. Ready stock is typically dispatched from our Brisbane yard within 48 hours of order.
What is your Price Beat Guarantee?
If you receive a genuine written quote for a comparable container, send it to us and we will do our best to beat it. Call our team on (07) 3185 2170 for details.
What Our Customers Say on Google
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