High cube. Normally, with break bulk or bulk cargo, this expression meant that the ratio of volume to weight of the goods was high.
Light, break bulk cargo had such a ratio. With containerisation, however, this refers to the dimensions of the container. The standard external height of a container set by the International Standards Organisation is 8 feet or 2.4m. In certain countries the height can be increased, depending on legal and physical limitations. The ISO accepts that the height can be increased in certain circumstances, subject to these limitations, to 8 feet 6 inches (2.6m). In some countries, for example in the United States, the height of the containers is increased further, to 9 feet or even 9 feet 6 inches. Such high containers may cause severe problems in some countries where the clearance of bridges and tunnels is restrictive.
