Flat racks consist of a floor structure with a high loading capacity composed of a steel frame and a softwood floor and two end walls, which may either be fixed or collapsible. The end walls are stable enough to allow cargo securing means to be attached and several flat racks to be stacked on top of one another. Flat racks are available in 20′ and 40′ sizes.
A number of lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the side rails, the corner posts and the floor. The lashing rings may take loads of up to 2000 kg in the case of 20′ flat racks or up to 4000 kg in the case of 40′ flat racks.
Some types of 20′ flat racks have forklift pockets.
40′ flat racks have goose neck tunnels at each end. In addition, they are sometimes equipped with lashing winches with 2 metric ton lashing belts.
For transport of certain cargoes, flat racks may be provided with stanchions.
Flat racks are mainly used to transport heavy-lifts and over height or over width cargoes.