How Many Containers Does a Container Ship Carry?
Ever wondered how many shipping containers fit on those massive cargo ships? Here's the breakdown by ship size.
How many containers does a container ship carry?
It varies enormously by ship size. The smallest feeder ships carry around 500 containers, while the world's largest mega-ships can carry over 24,000 containers.
Quick answer
Container ships carry anywhere from 500 to over 24,000 containers depending on their size. The average large container ship on major routes carries around 14,000-18,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). The world's largest ships, like those operated by MSC and Maersk, exceed 24,000 TEU.
Container ship size categories
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Interested in shipping logistics? Find out how long international shipping takes or check China to UK delivery times.
What is a TEU?
TEU stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. It's the standard measurement for container ship capacity.
A single 40-foot container can hold around 8,000-10,000 shoeboxes worth of goods. Multiply that by 12,000 containers and you get a sense of the scale of global shipping.
The biggest container ships in the world
As of 2024, MSC Irina and her sister ships are among the world's largest container vessels at over 24,000 TEU. They're 400 metres long - longer than four football pitches end to end.
Ships calling at UK ports like Felixstowe and Southampton are typically 14,000-18,000 TEU. The ultra-large ships call at the biggest European hub ports like Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Curious about shipping costs? Check parcel costs to Australia or find out how much it costs to send to China.
How this affects UK deliveries
Shipping in bulk?
Our pallet wrap, cardboard boxes, and protective packaging handle shipments of every size.
Browse pallet wrapShipping large quantities? Our pallet wrap guide covers the right thickness and stretch for securing loads.
Frequently asked questions
From 500 (feeder ships) to over 24,000 (ultra-large vessels). The average on major routes is 14,000-18,000 TEU.
Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. It's the standard measurement - 1 TEU equals one standard 20-foot shipping container.
As of 2024, MSC Irina-class vessels at over 24,000 TEU are among the largest. They're 400 metres long.
A standard 40-foot container holds about 25-28 cubic metres of goods, roughly equivalent to a 3-bed house worth of furniture.
Felixstowe is the UK's largest container port, followed by Southampton and London Gateway. Together they handle most UK container traffic.
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