Warehousing and Storage Shipping Container Solutions

Choosing a container for warehouse stock

The container size should reflect the volume of goods, how often they need to be accessed and the space available on site. A 20ft shipping container can provide a separate store for boxed goods, records or equipment. A 40ft shipping container offers more storage length where a larger stock area is needed.

Think about how goods will be loaded and removed before choosing a unit. Palletised stock may need a clear route for handling equipment, while archives or boxed items may be easier to manage with shelving and a planned layout. Leave enough room around doors for loading, inspection and future collection.

Buying may suit a warehouse that needs a longer-term storage area. Hire can provide additional space during seasonal peaks, stock changes, refurbishments or project work without committing to a permanent building alteration.

Storage conditions and access

A wind and watertight container is intended to limit water entering through the roof, walls and door areas. This can be relevant for stock that could be affected by damp, although the condition of the individual container and the goods being stored should be checked before use.

Keep doors, seals and the surrounding ground in good condition. The proposed position should provide firm, reasonably level support suited to the site and expected load. Soft or uneven ground can contribute to settlement and affect door operation. Good drainage can also help prevent standing water around the unit.

Security should be considered alongside the container itself. Use a suitable locking arrangement and assess lighting, access control and visibility across the yard. A lockbox can shield a padlock from some direct attacks, but it should form part of the wider security arrangements rather than being treated as a guarantee against theft.

Container types for warehousing

Standard containers suit many warehouse storage tasks, but specialist designs can help where the goods or loading method require something different.

• Open-top containers: A 20ft open-top container can be considered for goods that need to be loaded from above. These containers use a removable tarpaulin rather than a fixed steel roof, so the loading method and weather protection need careful planning.
• Open-side containers: A 20ft open-side container provides access along the side of the unit. This can help with long items, wide pallets or stock that needs a broader loading opening.
• Flat-rack containers: A 20ft flat-rack container has no standard side walls and can provide a platform for suitable heavy or wide loads. The load, handling method and restraint arrangements must be assessed before use.
• Refrigerated containers: A 20ft refrigerated container is designed for temperature-sensitive goods. The required temperature, power supply and operating arrangements should be confirmed for the intended stock.

Specialist containers are not interchangeable with standard storage units. Consider the goods, loading equipment, access route and site arrangements together before selecting one.

Flexible warehouse support space

Containers can separate storage activities from the main warehouse. A unit may be used for stock awaiting dispatch, archived records, spare equipment or goods held during internal works. Keeping these items outside the main aisles can make the available warehouse floor easier to organise, provided the site layout allows safe loading and access.

Where a basic storage container does not meet the requirement, container modifications may provide a more suitable working arrangement. The source requirement should be defined clearly, as insulation, lighting, workbenches, power and storage fittings affect how the unit is used. Modifications should be considered alongside ventilation, condensation, door access and the goods stored inside.

Storage requirements can change as stock levels and operations change. If a container needs to be repositioned or relocated, container movement services may be relevant. Future collection access should be considered when the unit is first placed.

Planning a HIAB container delivery

Container deliveries use HIAB. A HIAB is a lorry-mounted crane used to unload and position a container. The delivery plan needs more than a suitable final position. Check the access route, turning space, vehicle position, overhead obstructions and the area available for the lift. The position of the container doors should also suit loading and future collection.

Firm, reasonably level ground is needed for the proposed position and expected load. Consider drainage and whether the ground may settle under the container. Do not assume that a HIAB can place a unit over buildings, walls, fences, cables or trees. The lifting position and surrounding obstructions need to be assessed before delivery.

If the site has a complicated access route or the container will be placed close to existing structures, include those details when you request container prices. This helps the delivery requirements to be considered alongside the storage need.

Condition and longer-term use

Container condition can affect how well a unit suits warehouse stock. A one-trip container generally means a container that has completed a limited initial shipping journey and may appeal where a newer interior is preferred. Used containers may show signs of previous use, so inspect the doors, seals, floor and internal condition against the goods being stored.

For records, packaging or other items affected by moisture, check that the proposed unit is appropriate and plan how it will be ventilated and managed. Condensation can result from temperature changes inside a steel container, so ventilation, lining, insulation and the moisture sensitivity of the stock should be considered where relevant.

Planning and warehouse placement

Planning requirements can depend on how the container will be used, how long it will remain in place, the status of the site, its visibility, nearby neighbours and local planning policy. Listed buildings, conservation areas, a change of use or a prominent position may create additional considerations. Planning permission is not automatically required or excluded for every container placement, so check current requirements with the relevant planning authority before committing to the proposed placement or use.