Buyer guides · Delivery and site · 11 min
Apple cabin shipping and container loading: D1, D2 and F2 logistics
The cabin is only one part of the shipment. The controlling logistics document connects factory packing, marine transport, final road access, lifting and site readiness.
Published by AeroPodHomes · Updated 30 August 2026
Start with the transport drawing
Apple cabin shipping should be designed from the exact model and configuration rather than from a product-category assumption. Request packed length, width, height and weight; centre of gravity; lifting points; support and tie-down locations; loose components; protection method; lifting frame or spreader requirements; and the proposed transport equipment. The drawing should share the same revision as the room and production scope. A change to glazing, balcony, external equipment or module split can change the package even when the marketing model name stays the same.
D1 and D2 are out-of-gauge cargo
A standard 40 HC door opening is approximately 2.34 m wide. D1 is approximately 3.30 m wide and D2 approximately 4.40 m wide, so neither travels inside a standard closed container. The proposed solution may involve flat-rack or another out-of-gauge arrangement selected by the route and carrier. Confirm the equipment, over-width and over-height status, port capability, securing design, weather protection and whether the nominated sailing accepts the package. The out-of-gauge condition also continues after the port: final road permits, escorts, bridge and turning constraints may control the destination programme.
F2 uses two container-compatible modules
F2 divides the approximately 52 m² cabin into two modules, each approximately 2.20 m wide and planned for a 40 HC. This protects the main bodies inside standard container equipment but creates a module joint and two container movements per completed cabin. Confirm how the two modules are sequenced, labelled, supported and protected; which loose materials travel with each; how they are unloaded; and how the joint, services and finishes are completed and inspected on site. Container-compatible does not mean installation-free.
Route survey the whole movement
Map the origin factory to port, marine leg, destination terminal, temporary storage if any, final road route and site gate. Record overhead lines, bridge limits, width and height restrictions, gradients, surface capacity, turning radii, roadside obstructions, gate dimensions, delivery windows and reversing space. Use recent photographs and measured constraints. The last kilometre can invalidate an otherwise available shipping method, so the route review should happen before design freeze rather than after the cabin reaches the destination country.
Design packing for exposure and inspection
The packing plan should state how glazing, finished surfaces, corners, openings, roof drainage points, services and loose components are protected against handling, salt, weather, vibration and condensation for the expected journey. Use a numbered packing list tied to cabin or module identifiers and record the condition before closure. The buyer's inspection should confirm both the cabin and the protection around it. A factory acceptance report that ends before packing does not establish what entered the transport chain.
Plan the lift before booking the vessel
The crane contractor needs verified lifted weight, centre of gravity, lifting points, rigging arrangement, lifting radius, set-down position and ground-bearing information. The site team must also know the order in which cabins or modules arrive so the crane does not block later deliveries or lift across completed guest areas unnecessarily. For F2, align the two-module sequence with support survey and joint completion. For D1 and D2, align the oversize road delivery window with the crane booking and permitted route.
Release shipment against a readiness gate
Before dispatch, confirm the receiving route, customs and logistics contacts, crane and rigging, surveyed supports, utility interfaces, storage plan, installation team, weather limits, drawings and open-item register. Name the person authorised to release the shipment. A cabin can be complete at the factory while the project is not ready to receive it; holding that distinction protects the finish, avoids repeated handling and keeps the commercial programme tied to evidence.
Decision table
| Logistics item | D1 / D2 | F2 | Project evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary format | Out-of-gauge finished volume | Two container-compatible modules | Approved shipping drawing |
| Marine planning | Carrier and OOG equipment | Two 40 HC movements per cabin | Booking and load plan |
| Road planning | Oversize route and permits | Standard-container route plus unloading | Measured route survey |
| Site work | Single-volume lift and connection | Two lifts, module joint and connections | Lift and installation plan |
| Protection | Exposed package-specific system | Container packing and module protection | Packing record and photos |
Common questions
Can an apple cabin fit in a shipping container?
It depends on the model. D1 and D2 are wider than a standard high-cube door and travel out of gauge. F2 separates into two modules, each planned to fit a 40 HC.
How is a D1 apple cabin shipped?
D1 is approximately 3.30 m wide and requires an out-of-gauge transport plan. The final equipment, protection and route are confirmed from the approved shipping drawing.
How is a D2 apple cabin shipped?
D2 is approximately 4.40 m wide and also requires out-of-gauge marine and road planning. Route width, permits, handling and crane access must be checked before release.
How many containers are needed for an F2 apple cabin?
The current F2 strategy uses two modules and plans one 40 HC for each module, so one completed F2 cabin requires two container movements.
What information is needed for an apple cabin freight quote?
Provide model, configuration, packed dimensions and weight, quantity, origin, destination, preferred delivery term, receiving route and required delivery period.
Who arranges the crane for an apple cabin?
The destination crane and lift are normally local project scope unless the contract states otherwise. The supplier provides the agreed weight, centre-of-gravity and lifting-point information.
Technical references
External references support the process and standards context. Project-specific design and approval remain subject to the appointed destination professionals.