A sea can is the Canadian name for a steel shipping container, also called a seacan or C-can. Built to ISO standards in 10-, 20-, and 40-ft sizes, sea cans provide secure, weatherproof storage, mobile offices, and custom builds.
Ask someone in Calgary where to find a shipping container, and you might get a blank stare. Ask for a sea can, and they’ll point you to the nearest yard. It’s the same steel box, whether you call it a seacan, a C-can, or a storage container.
So, what is a sea can? It’s the Canadian nickname for a steel shipping container. Long a fixture across Western Canada, the term is now catching on in Ontario.
Here’s what the Secure Container Solutions team wants you to know about the box with more aliases than a spy movie villain.
What is a Sea Can Container, Exactly?
A sea can is one of the ISO containers built to an international standard that lets cargo move by ship, rail, and truck without unloading. These steel containers transformed global trade by making the transport of goods faster and simpler.
Once their ocean travel days are over (sometimes after just one trip), sea cans get a second life as secure storage, mobile offices, and custom builds.
Built for Extreme Conditions
Most sea cans are made from Corten steel, a weathering steel that forms a stable, rust-like layer that slows corrosion. Corrugated steel walls, reinforced corners, and watertight double doors allow them to withstand stacking at sea and ocean storms. A Canadian winter? That’s a snowy, slushy, minus-30 walk in the park.
Why Is It Called a Sea Can?
It’s called a sea can because these containers reach Canada by sea through the port system, and “can” has long been working slang for a big metal box. The result is a name that’s much easier to shout across a job site than “intermodal freight container.”
Image Source: Gemini 2026
Is It Seacan or C-can?
Both work. Seacan, sea can, and C-can are interchangeable, so use whichever rolls off your tongue.
Why Is It Called a C-can?
Nobody knows for sure, but the C likely stands for “container,” “cargo,” or “Canadian.” C-can is the older term, still commonly heard among veteran tradespeople and across the Prairies.
What Do Americans Call Sea Cans?
Americans usually just say shipping container. Military veterans may call them conex boxes, a name that traces back to a U.S. Army container program.
C-can or Sea Can: Is There a Difference?
Nope. C-cans, sea cans, sea containers, and storage containers are all the same product. The name varies by region, but the steel doesn’t.
One Ontario caution: “bin” usually means a disposal bin for debris from home renovations. If you’re searching for a lockable storage bin, add “steel” or “sea” to your search to avoid ending up with a dumpster.
How Big Are C-cans?
C-cans typically come in 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft lengths, all about eight feet wide:
- 10ft: Built for tight spaces and residential storage
- 20ft: Roughly 160 square feet, the job site workhorse
- 40ft: Approximately 320 square feet of space for gear, stock, and bigger conversion projects.
High-cube containers measure 9 feet 6 inches in height, about 1 foot taller than standard containers, making them ideal for taller equipment or insulated fit-outs.
Special Note: Planning to put a sea can in your backyard? Check your local bylaws first, since many municipalities require permits.
Will a Car Fit in a Sea Can?
Usually, yes. A 20ft container offers about 19 feet 4 inches of interior length and 7 feet 8 inches of width, enough for most standard cars. Measure your vehicle and the door opening first, since larger trucks may need a 40ft high-cube.
Image Source: Pexels
New vs. Used Containers
Brand-new containers deliver a fresh, professional-looking finish, while pre-owned units sacrifice a bit of cosmetic condition in exchange for better value:
- One-trip containers: Moved once from the factory carrying cargo, then sold off in tidy, presentable condition. Best when looks matter.
- Used containers: A few years of service with some dents or surface rust, but still solid and wind- and watertight at a lower price point.
Need to keep things cold? A reefer container is a refrigerated unit designed for perishable goods.
How Much Does a C-can Cost?
There isn’t one set price tag. Pricing varies based on dimensions, condition, custom upgrades, delivery distance, and whether you choose to rent or purchase. Renting works well for short-term space needs, while buying typically offers better long-term value for ongoing storage.
Our price match guarantee keeps competitive pricing on your side. Request a no-obligation quote for an exact number.
What Are Sea Cans Used For?
Sea cans are used for secure storage, workspace, and custom builds, including:
- Secure on-site storage for tools, equipment, and inventory on construction sites
- Mobile offices and lunchrooms
- Workshops and hobby spaces
- Seasonal overflow when business picks up
- Custom builds with windows, insulation, and man doors
Add lock boxes, and those steel walls become a serious deterrent to would-be thieves. They’ll quickly realize they picked the wrong target.
FAQs About Sea Cans
How many sea cans are there in the world?
Drewry pegged the worldwide shipping-container equipment fleet at 51.4 million TEU at the end of 2023. Because TEU reflects capacity and many boxes are 40-foot units (2 TEU each), the actual number of containers is lower, yet still likely in the tens of millions.
How many square feet is a sea container?
A 20ft sea container spans about 160 square feet, while a 40ft unit covers roughly 320 square feet, based on exterior measurements. High-cube models add an extra foot in height for more storage capacity.
How much does a 20ft sea can cost?
Pricing depends on grade, whether you rent or buy, modifications, and delivery distance. One-trip containers cost more than used containers. Secure Container Solutions offers a price match guarantee, so request a no-obligation quote for exact pricing.
Is a sea can the same as a shipping container?
Yes. Sea can is the Canadian term for a standard steel shipping container, common in Western Canada and growing in Ontario. Americans typically say shipping container, and some military veterans call them conex boxes.
Key Takeaways
- A sea can is a steel shipping container built to ISO standards.
- Sea cans, seacans, and C-cans all describe the same steel box.
- Sea cans come in standard 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft sizes, as well as high-cube sizes.
- Renting suits short-term needs, and buying suits permanent storage.
Whatever You Call It, We’ve Got One Ready
Sea can, seacan, or C-can, the name matters less than who you buy from. Secure Container Solutions has been Canadian-owned since 2007, serving customers from the GTA to southern Alberta. Visit our yards to inspect your container in person before you buy.
We keep storage solutions low-risk. You pay on delivery, only once you’re satisfied, and our price match guarantee keeps things competitive. Our warranty covers new one-trip containers for three years and used containers for one year. We handle delivery, positioning, and levelling, and a real person answers the phone.
As one Google review put it: “This is a legitimate company that’s honest and cares for its customers.”
Ready to find the right size? Browse our sea cans and shipping containers for sale or call for a quote.
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