Global trade and ocean freight are inextricably linked. Container ships are a vital part of today’s logistics system. There are currently around 50,000 to 60,000 cargo ships in the world. These ships are the lifeblood of global trade, delivering goods from all corners of the world every single day. The maximum cargo capacity of a ship is a key piece of information.
What does TEU mean?
TEU is the international standard unit of measurement for container transport capacity. As containers come in different sizes, TEU is used to standardize the capacity of all types of containers.
- 1 TEU represents a standard 20-foot (6.1 m) container.
- 2 TEU represents a standard 40-foot (12.2 m) container, as a 40-foot container is twice as long as a 20-foot container.
- 45-foot containers are sometimes counted as 2.25 TEU because they are slightly longer than 40-foot containers.
TEU is an important indicator used by shipping companies, port authorities, and freight forwarders worldwide to measure capacity, cargo throughput, and the scale of logistics.
Standard size and capacity of shipping containers
To ensure the standardization of global shipping, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has standardized the size of containers. The main sizes are as follows:
Common standard container sizes
| Container type | External dimensions (L × W × H in M) | Internal capacity in m3 | Payload (t) |
| 20-foot standard container (1 TEU) | 6.1 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 33 | 28 |
| 40-foot standard container (2 TEU) | 12.2 × 2.44 × 2.59 | 67 | 28 |
| 40-foot high cube (HQ) | 12.2 × 2.44 × 2.9 | 76 | 28 |
| 45-foot high cube | 13.7 × 2.44 × 2.9 | 85 | 28 |
Among them, the 40-foot-high cube (HQ) has an additional 30 cm in height, which can accommodate lighter but larger goods such as electronics, textiles, and furniture.
Reefer Container
It is specially used for transporting fresh food, pharmaceuticals, and perishable goods. It is equipped with a temperature control system and is commonly available in the exact specifications of standard containers.
Open Top Container
This is used for loading ultra-high goods, such as machinery and equipment, steel, etc. The top can be removed to facilitate the lifting of goods.
Introduction to container ships
A container ship is a cargo ship specially designed to transport standard containers. Since the 1950s, container shipping has developed rapidly, making global trade more efficient. Container ships have the following advantages over traditional general cargo ships:
- High loading and unloading efficiency: the standardized container design makes mechanized loading and unloading at ports faster.
- High cargo safety: closed container transportation can reduce the risk of cargo damage, loss, and theft
- Lower transport costs: high loading density, much lower unit transport costs than bulk transport.
- High flexibility: can be used on all shipping routes, connecting to major trading ports around the world
How many containers can a modern cargo ship hold?
The carrying capacity of modern container ships varies depending on their design and tonnage and is generally measured in TEUs. Depending on the size of the ship, container ships can be roughly divided into the following categories:
| ship type | cargo capacity（TEU） | Captain (m) | Breadth (m) |
| Feeder Ships | 100 – 1,000 | 70 – 140 | 15 – 25 |
| Feedermax Ships | 1,000 – 3,000 | 140 – 200 | 25 – 32 |
| Panamax Ships | 3,000 – 5,000 | 250 – 290 | 32 |
| New Panamax | 10,000 – 15,000 | 300 – 366 | 49 |
| Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) | 18,000 – 24,000+ | 366 – 400 | 59 – 61 |
The world’s largest container ships, MSC Irina and MSC Loreto, have a capacity of over 24,000 TEU and are about 400 meters long, longer than four football pitches.
Key statistics and features of modern container ships
- World’s largest container ships: Currently, ultra-large container ships can accommodate more than 24,000 TEU, such as the MSC Irina and MSC Loreto, which have a carrying capacity of more than 24,000 TEU.
- Speed: Generally 1844 kilometers per hour).
- Ship size: Length up to 400 meters, width approximately 60 meters.
- Fuel type: Most containerships currently use conventional fuel oil, but some have already started using more environmentally friendly energy sources such as LNG (liquefied natural gas).
What factors affect the carrying capacity of a container ship?
- Ship design: The hull structure, deck area, cargo hold layout, etc., will affect the maximum number of containers that can be carried.
- Draft: Draft restrictions in ports and waterways will affect the maximum loading capacity of the ship.
- Cargo type: Heavy cargo may limit the number of containers that can be loaded, even if there is enough space on the ship.
- Port infrastructure: Crane capacity, quay length, etc., will affect the container ship’s actual loading capacity.
- Route requirements: Different routes have different shipping restrictions. For example, ships passing through the Suez Canal or the Panama Canal are restricted to specific sizes.
