An offshore container is not an ordinary shipping container. It is lifted in open sea, from a moving vessel, in wind. That is why separate design and certification requirements apply — in practice DNV 2.7-1 and the EN 12079 standard.

What is a CCU?

CCU stands for Cargo Carrying Unit — the collective term for units built for offshore lifting operations. It covers closed containers, baskets, frames, tanks and specialist carriers.

What separates a CCU from an ISO container is primarily the lifting set, the structural strength for dynamic lifts, and the requirement for traceable periodic inspection.

DNV 2.7-1 versus EN 12079

DNV 2.7-1 is DNV’s standard for offshore containers and is the most commonly cited reference on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. EN 12079 is the European standard covering the same ground — design, manufacture, testing, and periodic inspection and use.

The two are largely harmonised in content. In practice, operators on the NCS will often require DNV 2.7-1 certification or equivalent, and always valid, documented inspection.

What must be in place before a CCU can ship

  • Valid certificate from a certifying body.
  • Unique identification and visible marking, including tare and maximum gross weight.
  • Certified lifting set with traceable history.
  • Documented periodic inspection within its validity period.
  • Correctly secured cargo — lashing is as common a rejection reason as the unit itself.

Choosing the right unit

The wrong CCU choice costs capacity. Open baskets suit tubulars and steel; closed containers suit equipment that cannot take sea spray; tanks for liquids; half-height units where deck space rather than volume is the limiting factor.

Good practice is to plan unit type alongside the equipment list, not afterwards. It reduces the number of lifts, which in turn reduces risk exposure.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a standard ISO container offshore?

No. Standard ISO containers are not designed or certified for dynamic lifting in open sea and will normally be rejected at the quay.

How often must an offshore container be inspected?

CCUs are subject to periodic inspection under the applicable standard, and lifting sets have their own inspection cycle. Without valid documentation the unit cannot ship.

What is the difference between tare and maximum gross weight?

Tare is the weight of the unit when empty. Maximum gross weight is the highest permitted total weight including cargo. Both must be clearly marked on the unit.

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