Container lifting twistlocks

A container lifting apparatus fitted with twistlocks can be used, without shifting the engagement spindles, to lift containers both of the Sealand and ISO standard types. The twistlocks are introduced into the corner boxes of the containers through the area which is common to the ISO container upper holes (12) and the Sealand container upper holes (13) and fastened by rotation. The twistlocks are symmetrical and can be turned either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The rotational centres (C) of the engagement spindles are located in a plane (P-P) arranged to pass through the mid points of the centre-lines (A, B) of the Sealand and ISO upper holes (13, 12), and between these lines (A, B). The engagement spindles (10) are symmetrical with reference to their central plane parallel to their short sides, this plane coinciding with the above-mentioned central plane (P-P) of the upper holes (12, 13) when the engagement spindles are being introduced, whereby the clearances ( DELTA 1, DELTA 2, DELTA 3) from the margins of both holes (12, 13) to the sides of the engagement spindle are mutually substantially equal.