Use gravity to load bulk materials more efficiently, maximise container utilisation and reduce unnecessary handling.
VAKO designs and builds vertical container loading systems for 20ft and 40ft ISO containers. From mobile loaders to fully integrated stationary solutions, every system is engineered around your material, process, safety requirements and operating environment.
What is vertical container loading?
Vertical container loading is a method of filling an ISO container while it is positioned vertically or at a steep angle. Instead of pushing or conveying bulk material through the container doors, the container is raised and filled from above. Gravity helps distribute and settle the material throughout the available container volume.
Once the loading process is complete, the doors are closed and the container is returned to its horizontal transport position in a controlled way. Depending on the application, the system can be mobile, stationary or integrated into an existing production or logistics process.
- 1. Position the empty container on or in the loading system.
- 2. Raise the container into a vertical or steep loading position.
- 3. Load the bulk material from above, using gravity to fill the available volume.
- 4. Close the container safely and return it to the horizontal transport position.
Why load containers vertically?
For suitable bulk materials and processes, vertical loading can create a more efficient and controlled way to fill containers. The exact benefit depends on the material density, loading method, container type and current operation.
Higher container utilisation
Gravity helps material settle into the available volume, which can increase the amount of cargo loaded per container in suitable applications.
Fewer transport movements
More cargo per container can reduce the number of containers and transport movements required for the same annual volume.
Faster loading cycles
A well-designed vertical loading process can shorten loading times and improve throughput.
Less manual handling
Automated positioning, controlled tilting and optional door handling can reduce manual steps around the container.
Safer, more controlled loading
Controlled tilting, positioning and optional door handling can reduce manual intervention and help create a safer, more controlled loading process.
Built around your operation
VAKO develops mobile, stationary and custom-integrated solutions for different sites, materials and process requirements.
Vertical loading compared with horizontal loading
| Aspect | Traditional horizontal loading | Vertical container loading |
| Loading direction | Material enters through the container doors | Material is loaded from above |
| Use of gravity | Limited | Gravity supports filling and settling |
| Container utilisation | Depends heavily on material and loading method | Can be higher for suitable bulk materials |
| Manual handling | Can require more intervention around the doors and load | Can be reduced with controlled handling options |
| Best suited for | General cargo, pallets and some bulk processes | Loose bulk materials, scrap, biomass, grains, pellets and similar products |
Which materials are suitable for vertical container loading?
Vertical container loading is especially relevant for loose bulk materials where gravity can help improve filling and handling. Typical applications include:
Scrap metal and aluminium scrap
For dense or irregular metal fractions where controlled container filling and high throughput are important.
Wood chips and biomass
For lightweight bulk products where container volume is often the limiting factor.
Wood pellets
For free-flowing bulk material that can be loaded efficiently from above.
Grain, seeds and agricultural products
Including oats, wheat, corn, barley, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, depending on the process and required hygiene conditions.
Animal feed and alfalfa pellets
For bulk export flows where efficient filling can reduce transport movements.
Other loose bulk materials
VAKO can assess your product characteristics, density, flow behaviour and loading process to determine the right concept.
Not every product benefits in the same way. Material density, flow behaviour, container limits and annual volumes all influence the business case. That is why VAKO evaluates the complete loading process instead of applying a one-size-fits-all solution.
Vertical loading for 20ft and 40ft containers
20ft vertical container loading
For 20ft ISO containers, VAKO offers both mobile and stationary vertical loading solutions. This makes it possible to choose a system that fits the way containers are handled within your operation.
VAKO MVL20, mobile vertical container loading
The VAKO MVL20 is a mobile vertical loader designed for flexible loading and unloading of 20ft ISO containers. It can be moved between locations and is well suited to operations where mobility, versatility and fast deployment are important.
VAKO SVL20, stationary vertical container loading
The VAKO SVL20 is designed for stationary, process-integrated applications. It can be incorporated into an existing production or loading process and is particularly suitable for fixed loading locations, continuous operations and customised industrial setups.
40ft vertical container loading
For 40ft standard and High Cube ISO containers, the VAKO MVL40 provides a mobile vertical loading solution built around the requirements of larger containers and demanding bulk-loading operations.
The system combines mobility with a robust design and can be adapted to different container positions, loading processes and operating environments.
VAKO is also developing the SVL40, extending its stationary vertical loading concept to 40ft containers. It is being developed for fixed, process-integrated applications where vertical container loading forms part of a recurring or continuous production or loading process.
Mobile or stationary vertical loading?
Mobile vertical loader
Best suited when flexibility between loading locations is important or when the system must be moved as part of the operation.
Stationary vertical loader
Best suited for fixed loading points, higher process integration and recurring bulk flows.
Custom integrated solution
For operations that require specific interfaces, conveyors, silos, safety systems, door handling or other process-specific engineering.
The right solution depends on available space, container sizes, annual volumes, product characteristics, site logistics and the required degree of automation.
How VAKO develops the right loading solution
Every site and loading process is different. VAKO combines in-house engineering, steel construction and hydraulic expertise to develop a system around the real operating conditions of the customer.
- 1. Understand the material, current loading process and operational challenge.
- 2. Assess container types, available space, safety requirements and throughput targets.
- 3. Engineer the right mobile, stationary or custom-integrated concept.
- 4. Build and test the solution with a focus on reliability, safety and maintainability.
- 5. Support installation, commissioning, service, modifications and future upgrades.
The result is a robust system engineered for daily use and designed around the process from the start.
Vertical loading in practice
The best way to understand vertical loading is to see how it performs in practice. From 20ft scrap export loading in Saudi Arabia to 40ft aluminium scrap handling in Denmark, VAKO develops each system around the material, site logistics, container size and required throughput.
See our projects
Calculate the potential benefit of vertical loading
The potential value of vertical loading depends on your product, container volumes, transport distance and current loading method. Use the VAKO calculator to estimate the possible difference in container utilisation, transport movements and annual transport costs.
The calculation is an indication. For a realistic business case, VAKO can assess your actual product characteristics and operating conditions.
Frequently asked questions about vertical container loading
Vertical container loading is a method in which an ISO container is raised into a vertical or steep position and filled from above. Gravity helps distribute material through the available container volume.
Typical applications include scrap metal, aluminium scrap, wood chips, biomass, pellets, grain, seeds and other loose bulk materials. Suitability depends on density, flow behaviour, safety requirements and the existing process.
Yes. VAKO develops solutions for 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube ISO containers, depending on the system and application.
Yes, scrap metal is a common application for vertical loading. The exact system design depends on the scrap fraction, density, container type, loading equipment and required throughput.
No. The benefit depends on the material, density, legal container weight limits and current fill rate. For some lightweight or difficult-to-pack bulk materials, the available volume is the main limitation. For denser products, maximum container weight can be reached before volume becomes the limiting factor.
A mobile loader offers flexibility between locations, while a stationary solution is better suited to fixed loading points and deeper process integration. VAKO can determine the right concept based on your operation.
Yes. VAKO can engineer custom interfaces with conveyors, silos, hoppers, hydraulic systems, safety systems and other existing equipment.
The business case depends on container utilisation, annual volume, transport distance, labour, loading time and investment requirements. The VAKO calculator can provide an initial indication, followed by a project-specific assessment.
Bring us your container loading challenge
Tell us what you load, how many containers you handle and where the current process slows you down. Our engineers will help assess whether vertical loading can improve your operation and which system concept fits best.