CONTAINER CONDITION
Wind & Water Tight
An economical used container for secure, weather-resistant storage.
Wind & Water Tight containers are used shipping containers intended primarily for storage. They keep normal wind and rain out, but cosmetic wear and signs of previous service should be expected.
Quick facts
- Typical age
- Older used container condition
- Appearance
- Dents, surface rust, scratches and faded paint are common
- Doors
- Functional but operation can vary
- Best use
- Budget-conscious storage where appearance is secondary
What does “Wind & Water Tight” mean?
Wind & Water Tight (WWT) means the container is no longer certified to be stacked while loaded on a cargo ship, but has no leaks or other structural issues. WWT is primarily a storage-grade condition, and is the condition shipping lines and intermodal firms assign to used containers when they are being retired from cargo circulation but are still structurally sound. WWT containers make great storage containers.
WWT does not mean Cargo Worthy, and it is not an export certification. WWT containers are not eligible for a CSC Survey and cannot be used for export. Buyers who need export eligibility should evaluate Cargo Worthy or One Trip instead.
Cosmetic wear may be significant. Condition varies from unit to unit, so buyers should expect dents, surface rust, faded paint, and prior-use markings as normal. If you're concerned about appearance, pressure washing and painting your container goes a long way.
Sometimes our competitors will place WWT containers into categories like "A Grade," "B Grade," and "C Grade" containers. These categories are completely subjective and vary from person to person. Essentially, they're made up and are only used by people unfamiliar with the intermodal container industry. If someone is telling you they have "A Grade" containers that should be a red flag, because they're probably not running a professional operation.
What should I expect?
- Dents and scratches are normal
- Surface rust and faded paint are common
- Previous shipping-line markings may remain
- Doors will seal properly, but won't open as smoothly as One Trip doors
- Floors and interiors will show prior use and possible oil spots
- Appearance can vary significantly from unit to unit
Best for
- Budget-conscious storage
- Job sites and equipment storage
- Customers who care more about function than appearance
- Long-term stationary storage
- Buyers seeking the lowest-cost common condition
Buyer considerations
- Cosmetic wear is expected
- Condition varies from container to container
- Doors should seal properly
- WWT is intended for storage, not export use
- Buyers concerned about appearance should consider One Trip
How Wind & Water Tight compares
| Attribute | One Trip | CWO | WWT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relative age | Newest | 10-15 years old | 10-15 years old |
| Cosmetic condition | Best | Surface rust and dents | Surface rust and dents |
| Door operation | Typically easiest | Seals properly | Seals properly |
| Export eligible | Yes* | Yes* | No |
| Typical price | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Best use | Appearance-sensitive | Export | Economical storage |
* CSC Survey required where applicable
Ready to price a Wind & Water Tight container?
Or browse Markets We Serve on the homepage.