Shipping Container Transport

Choosing the right type of shipping container transport is crucial to the successful delivery of your container. At SEA Containers we commonly transport shipping containers to a site utilising either a side loading swinglift or HIAB crane truck. Below is an overview of how these trucks work, and some important points to consider when moving shipping containers.

Things to Consider

When planning shipping container transport and delivery, you need to consider any obstacles that might get in your way. Look out for overhead obstacles like trees, power lines and the overhang from buildings, and fixed objects like fences and signage. Shipping container delivery is best done on a flat surface with no soft sand or slopes, to keep the shipping container level and allow the doors to open and close. This makes the whole process of delivery and the collection of rental containers much easier.

Swinglift Container Truck Delivery

Commonly utilised for 40ft shipping container transport, the swinglift truck is fitted with a loading system operating to one side for moving shipping containers. As the shipping container can only be unloaded from the right-hand driver’s side, it’s important to think about which way the shipping container will be loaded onto the truck at our depot. Will the driver need to reverse into the property or simply drive straight in? Please inform our team about this at the time of booking.

Here are a few examples of how a swing lift truck unloads a shipping container from the driver’s side. This will give you an indication of the required amount of space needed, including height clearance.

12m Swinglift Clearance requirements:
Height: 4.5m Width: 6m Length: 19m

HIAB Truck

A HIAB is a truck that has an integrated crane attached. These highly adaptable are capable of delivering your unit in difficult access areas with pin-point accuracy and offer a precise way of moving shipping containers without a forklift. With HIAB delivery, shipping containers can be delivered over obstructions, such as 3m high fences, and can even be dropped at a 90-degree angle to the truck. However, HIAB trucks do have weight restrictions, so please speak to the team at SEA Containers about this before booking a truck.

Watch the video to see how HIAB trucks can deliver containers over obstacles and away from the delivery truck.