How Many Containers on a Container Ship?

How Many Containers Can a Cargo Ship Hold?

When shippers or businesses ask how many containers on a container ship, the answer depends primarily on the vessel’s size and design. Cargo ships designed for regional routes, known as feeder ships, may carry between 200 and 800 containers, while massive ultra-large container vessels, or ULCVs, can transport over 24,000 containers in a single journey. The most common ships seen on major ocean routes, such as Panamax and New Panamax vessels, have capacities ranging from 3,000 to 14,500 containers. These numbers help explain why global trade can move such enormous volumes of goods efficiently across continents.

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How Many Containers Fit on a Container Ship? (TEUs, FEUs & Capacity Explained)

To understand how many containers fit on a container ship, it’s essential to know the standard measurement used in the industry: the TEU, or Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit. A TEU is based on the dimensions of a standard 20-foot container. Ships also carry 40-foot containers, called FEUs, which count as two TEUs each. Therefore, a cargo ship with a 20,000 TEU rating could carry 10,000 FEUs if it loaded only 40-foot containers. In practice, container ships carry a mix of container sizes, including high-cube, reefer, and flat-rack containers, so the exact number of containers may vary.

The ship’s design, including its width, depth, and advanced stacking features, determines its total capacity. Some of the world’s largest ships, such as the Ever Ace and MSC Gülsün, are capable of carrying over 23,000 TEUs, which is equivalent to roughly 12,000 standard 40-foot containers. Meanwhile, smaller feeder vessels are ideal for short-sea shipping or reaching ports that cannot accommodate super container ships, handling as few as 200 containers per voyage.

How Many Containers Can a Cargo Ship Carry? (Types of Container Ships)

Container ships are classified by their maximum capacity and the routes they serve. Feeder ships, which operate between smaller ports, can carry between 200 and 1,500 TEUs. Panamax ships, designed for the original Panama Canal locks, usually hold between 3,000 and 5,000 TEUs, while Post-Panamax vessels can carry from 5,000 up to 10,000 TEUs. The New Panamax class, introduced after the expansion of the Panama Canal, supports up to 14,500 TEUs. The true giants, known as Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), are capable of carrying 18,000 to more than 24,000 TEUs, making them the backbone of mainline Asia-Europe and transpacific trades.

What Determines How Many Containers a Ship Can Hold?

Several factors influence how many containers can a ship hold. The most significant are the ship’s size and design, as wider beams and deeper drafts allow for more containers to be stacked both below and above deck. The type and mix of containers—such as high-cubes or refrigerated units—also impact overall capacity. Weight limits, or deadweight tonnage, play a crucial role, since ships must remain within safe operating limits for stability. Efficient stowage planning, which ensures containers are loaded and balanced correctly, is vital to maximizing both capacity and safety. Additionally, port and route restrictions, including draft and crane limitations, may limit how fully a ship can be loaded on certain voyages.

How Many Containers Are on a Cargo Ship? (Practical SMB Shipping Tips)

For small and medium-sized businesses, understanding container capacity is key to choosing the right shipping solution. Full Container Load (FCL) shipping is most cost-effective when your goods can fill an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container, whereas Less than Container Load (LCL) allows you to share space with other shippers if you have a smaller volume. Working with a reliable freight forwarder can help you optimize your packing, select the right container type, and secure guaranteed space even during peak seasons. Freight forwarders also manage compliance, documentation, and door-to-door delivery, making international shipping easier for SMBs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Containers on Cargo Ships

How many containers can a cargo ship carry?

A modern cargo ship’s capacity ranges from 200 TEUs on small feeder vessels to more than 24,000 TEUs on today’s largest ULCVs.

How many containers fit on a container ship?

Depending on the configuration, a large ULCV can fit over 12,000 standard 40-foot containers (FEUs), while an average Panamax ship might carry around 5,000 TEUs.

What is a TEU and FEU?

A TEU is a 20-foot container, the shipping industry’s standard measurement unit. A FEU is a 40-foot container, equal to two TEUs.

Do I have to fill an entire container to ship by sea?

No. With LCL shipping, you can share space with other shippers and only pay for the space you use.

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Friday, May 23, 2025