Sea Freight Calculator & Container Load Planner
Optimize your container loading, calculate shipping costs, and plan logistics with our comprehensive sea freight calculator
Pallet Loading Configuration
Commodity Details
Pallet Configuration
Floor Loading Configuration
Calculation Results
Optimal loading with some free space
Consider optimizing your load
Floor Loading Capacity Table
| Container | Internal Height | Bag Height | Max Stack Levels | Bags per Layer | Total Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft GP | 94″ | 6″ | 15 | 24 | 360 |
| 8″ | 11 | 24 | 264 | ||
| 10″ | 9 | 24 | 216 | ||
| 12″ | 7 | 24 | 168 | ||
| 40ft GP | 94″ | 6″ | 15 | 48 | 720 |
| 8″ | 11 | 48 | 528 | ||
| 10″ | 9 | 48 | 432 | ||
| 12″ | 7 | 48 | 336 | ||
| 40ft HC | 106″ | 6″ | 17 | 48 | 816 |
| 8″ | 13 | 48 | 624 | ||
| 10″ | 10 | 48 | 480 | ||
| 12″ | 8 | 48 | 384 |
Container Utilization Visualization
How to Use This Sea Freight Calculator
- Select loading method – Pallet Loading or Floor Loading using the tabs
- Select origin and destination ports from the dropdown menus (for pallet loading)
- Choose your container type (20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC, 45ft, or Reefer)
- Select your commodity type and specify bag size and type
- Configure your pallet settings – choose standard pallets or enter custom dimensions (for pallet loading)
- Set stacking height based on your commodity and pallet strength
- Click Calculate to see container utilization, weight distribution, and optimization suggestions
- Refer to the floor loading table for quick reference on bag capacity
- Export your results to PDF, Excel, or CSV for documentation and sharing
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between pallet loading and floor loading?
Pallet loading involves stacking goods on pallets which are then loaded into containers, while floor loading involves stacking bags directly on the container floor without pallets. Floor loading typically allows for higher capacity but requires more manual labor.
How accurate are the calculations?
Our calculations are based on standard industry practices and container specifications. However, actual loading may vary based on specific packaging, pallet quality, and loading techniques. Always consult with your logistics provider for final calculations.
Can I save my frequent calculations?
Yes, you can create custom commodity profiles that save your frequently used setups for quick access in future calculations.
Do you support right-to-left languages?
Yes, our calculator fully supports RTL (Right-to-Left) languages including Arabic and Urdu. Simply select these languages from the dropdown menu.
How do I handle overweight containers?
Our calculator will alert you if your planned load exceeds container weight limits. You can adjust bag quantities, stacking height, or consider using a different container type to optimize your load.
Calculation Formula
Our sea freight calculator uses the following formulas to determine container loading:
Pallets per container = floor(container_length / pallet_length) × floor(container_width / pallet_width)
Bags per pallet = floor(pallet_length / bag_length) × floor(pallet_width / bag_width) × stacking_layers
Total bags = Pallets per container × Bags per pallet
Total weight = Total bags × Bag weight
Volume utilization = (Total bags × Bag volume) / Container volume × 100
Floor loading capacity = floor(container_height / bag_height) × bags_per_layer
Real-Life Benefits
Our Sea Freight Calculator provides practical benefits for shippers, logistics managers, and supply chain professionals:
- Cost Optimization: Maximize container space utilization to reduce shipping costs per unit
- Load Planning: Plan efficient loading patterns to minimize damage and maximize stability during transit
- Time Savings: Quickly calculate container capacity instead of manual calculations
- Documentation: Generate professional load plans for shipping documentation and compliance
- International Trade: Support for multiple languages facilitates global trade operations
- Weight Distribution: Avoid overweight containers that result in fines and delays
- Comparison: Easily compare palletized vs floor loading options for your specific goods