Load planning guides
Short, practical answers to the questions that come up every day when planning containers and trucks – written by a logistics professional.
- Container dimensions: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High CubeInside dimensions, door size, volume and max. payload of 20ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube, 45ft and reefer containers in one table – with practical loading tips.Read guide →
- How many pallets fit in a container?Euro pallets: 11 in a 20ft and up to 25 in a 40ft container. Industrial pallets: 9 and up to 22. Loading patterns, stacking and truck capacities explained.Read guide →
- CBM: how many containers do I need?How to calculate CBM and how many 20ft or 40ft containers you need – with usable volume per container, a worked example and why CBM alone is not enough.Read guide →
- Loading meters (LDM): how to calculate themHow to calculate loading meters (LDM): formula, Euro pallet = 0.4 LDM, stackable cargo, a 13.6 m trailer = 13.6 LDM, and how carriers convert LDM to weight.Read guide →
- Container weight limits: payload vs. road limitWhy you can rarely load 26 t into a 40ft container: max payload vs. road weight limits in Germany (40 t / 44 t), the 22 t rule of thumb, VGM and weight distribution.Read guide →
- Flat rack vs. open top: which container for OOG cargo?Open top or flat rack? Dimensions, payload and when to use which container for overheight, overwidth and heavy out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo.Read guide →