The 20ft Canvas Soft Top Open Top Shipping Container is the definitive loading solution for oversized, heavy, or awkwardly shaped cargo that cannot be loaded through standard double doors. Fitted with a heavy-duty, weatherproof, reinforced PVC tarpaulin cover supported by removable steel roof bows, this unit allows for effortless top-loading via crane or crab gantry. Available in both New (Single Trip) and Used (Wind & Watertight) conditions, fully CSC-certified for intermodal freight and secure site storage across the United Kingdom.
Price range: £1,875.00 through £2,350.00
Estimated Arrival 5-15 Business Days
– Delivered nationwide from our yard in Wolverhampton.
– 30 days return policy
When standard container end-doors limit your material handling, the 20ft Open Top Shipping Container – Canvas Soft Top delivers the vertical access required for seamless crane loading and over-height cargo transport. Constructed from high-grade Corten steel, these specialized ISO intermodal containers are engineered to withstand extreme marine and terrestrial environments while providing rapid overhead access.
Whether you are transporting industrial machinery, long timber, structural steel, or bulk aggregate materials, our 20ft open-top units combine structural rigidity with operational flexibility. Each container features a heavy-duty, water-resistant canvas tarpaulin top secured with heavy-duty tir cables, protecting your cargo against severe weather conditions during transit or static storage.
Corten Steel Structural Frame: Built with corrosion-resistant corrugated Corten steel panels, heavy-duty corner castings, and marine-grade plywood flooring.
Removable Steel Roof Bows: Integrated steel roof bows provide structural integrity and support the canvas tarpaulin cover, preventing water pooling. Roof bows can be fully detached during loading and unloading cycles.
Swivel Top Door Header: Features a swinging or removable rear header rail above the end doors, allowing long cargo to be driven straight in via forklift without interference.
Weatherproof Tarpaulin Cover: Heavy-gauge, UV-resistant PVC-coated canvas cover complete with grommets and TIR sealing cables to secure goods in transit under international customs seals.
CSC Safety Approval: Fully compliant with International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Container Safety Convention (CSC) standards for global shipping operations.
Precise dimensional accuracy is vital for site planning and logistics. The table below details standard imperial and metric measurements for 20ft open-top units.
| Specification | Imperial Measurements | Metric Measurements |
| External Length | 19′ 10.5″ | 6,058 mm |
| External Width | 8′ 0″ | 2,438 mm |
| External Height | 8′ 6″ | 2,591 mm |
| Internal Length | 19′ 4″ | 5,898 mm |
| Internal Width | 7′ 8″ | 2,352 mm |
| Internal Height | 7′ 8″ | 2,348 mm |
| Door Opening Width | 7′ 8″ | 2,340 mm |
| Door Opening Height | 7′ 5″ | 2,280 mm |
| Top Loading Opening (Length) | 18′ 8″ | 5,700 mm |
| Top Loading Opening (Width) | 7′ 4″ | 2,230 mm |
| Tare Weight (Approx.) | 4,960 lbs | 2,250 kg |
| Max Payload Capacity | 62,240 lbs | 28,230 kg |
| Max Gross Weight | 67,200 lbs | 30,480 kg |
| Internal Volume | 1,148 cu. ft | 32.5 m³ |
To help you select the correct equipment grade for your application, we offer these units in two distinct condition tiers:
Origin: Manufactured overseas and shipped directly to the UK with a single cargo load.
Condition: Excellent aesthetic and structural order with minimal to no cosmetics wear.
Features: Factory-fitted lockbox, pristine floor boards, high-durability marine paint system.
Best For: Long-term site storage, corporate branding, architectural conversion projects, and long-haul shipping.
Origin: Retired from major shipping line fleets after approximately 10–15 years of ocean service.
Condition: Structural integrity fully intact. Expect surface rust, minor dents, and original shipping line liveries.
Features: Fully inspected doors, intact seals, structural Corten frame, and complete tarpaulin assembly.
Best For: Budget-conscious industrial sites, aggregate storage, temporary site loading, and agricultural applications.
Yes. All 20ft canvas top container supplied by Shipping Storage Containers UK Ltd are fitted with heavy-duty, marine-grade PVC-coated tarpaulin covers. When properly secured with the supplied TIR cable system across the container’s roof bows, the unit is 100% wind and watertight.
A canvas soft top uses a flexible, removable PVC tarpaulin supported by steel roof bows, making it lightweight and easy to fold away during crane loading. A hard top open container utilizes a solid, heavy steel roof panel that must be removed entirely via crane before top-loading can commence.
Yes. Open top containers feature standard corner castings and structural Corten corner posts engineered to sustain multi-tier stacking forces in depot or marine transit environments, provided the tarpaulin and roof bows are correctly installed.
We deliver across the UK using specialized HIAB crane lorries. The onboard crane offloads the container directly onto your designated site position. Ensure your ground is flat, firm, and clear of overhead cables.
