What is TEU in shipping (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit)? Meaning & Vessel Sizes

If you work in the shipping industry, you're likely familiar with TEU, which stands for Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. It serves as a standard measurement for a container's cargo capacity. Moreover, many individuals associate TEU with assessing cargo capacity and influencing the operational dynamics of transportation ports. What is TEU meaning? Are you acquainted with the TEU unit?...

Discover essential information about TEU in maritime transport in the following article by Worldcraft Logistics. Gain insights into data interpretation and TEU calculation methods to make informed decisions about selecting the right ship size.

1. What Is TEU?

A TEU, which stands for twenty-foot equivalent unit, serves as the standard size for shipping containers and is the predominant type employed on cargo ships. Hence, TEUs are alternatively referred to as "unit loads" or "intermodal containers." These containers are 20 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. Their primary utility lies in quantifying a ship's capacity or the volume of cargo it can transport. For instance, a vessel carrying 3,000 TEUs is designated as having a capacity of 3,000 TEUs.

The term "TEU" is also employed to express the quantity of containers being loaded onto or unloaded from a ship simultaneously. To illustrate, if a ship is loaded with 1,000 20-foot containers, the cargo on board is denoted as 1,000 TEUs.

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2. TEU In Vessel Size And Carrying Capacity

Here are various vessel sizes categorized by T.E.U:

🚢 Small Feeder: With a carrying capacity of 300 TEUs.

🚢 Feeder: Vessels with a capacity of less than 500 TEUs.

🚢 Feedermax: Vessels with a capacity ranging from 500 to 999 TEUs.

🚢 Panamax Vessels: Vessels with a capacity exceeding 3,000 TEUs.

🚢 Post-Panamax Vessels: Vessels with a capacity ranging from 3,000 to 7,999 TEUs. Others fall within the range of 8,000 to 9,999 TEUs.

🚢 Super Post-Panamax: Vessels with a capacity surpassing 10,000 TEUs.

3. Different types of TEU containers

To determine TEU, it is essential to be aware of both the size and quantity of containers in use. The two most common container sizes are 20 feet and 40 feet. Although the 20ft dry container often serves as the standard for measuring cargo capacity, the shipping industry offers a diverse array of container types, each designed for specific purposes. Let's explore some of these container variants below.

Standard Dry Containers

• 20-foot Container (Standard TEU): The most common type, used for general cargo.
• 40-foot Container (2 TEUs): Double the size of the standard 20-foot container, used for larger shipments.

Reefer Containers (Refrigerated)

Reefer containers, also known as refrigerated containers, are employed for transporting temperature-sensitive goods such as dairy and meat. Equipped with specialized cooling systems, they can maintain temperatures ranging from 30 to -30 degrees Celsius.

• 20-foot Container (Standard TEU): The most common type, used for general cargo.
• 40-foot Container (2 TEUs): Double the size of the standard 20-foot container, used for larger shipments.

Open Top Container

Open top containers lack a roof and are ideal for accommodating over-height cargo. Instead of a conventional roof, a tarpaulin sheet is utilized to shield the cargo from external elements.

• 20-foot Open Top: Used for cargo that cannot be easily loaded through the doors, such as machinery or bulk goods.
• 40-foot Open Top: Larger version for the same purpose as the 20-foot open top.

Hard Top Container

Hard top containers feature a sturdy, detachable steel roof and are specifically designed to transport large construction materials, machinery, and other tall cargo items.

Side Door Container

A 20ft side door container is equipped with additional doors along one of its longer sides, streamlining the loading and unloading process for oddly-shaped and large items.

Flat-Rack Container

Flat-rack containers lack roofs or walls on their longer sides, making them well-suited for transporting large, unwieldy, and over-height cargo of various types. Cargo is secured to this container type using lashing rings.

• 20-foot Flat Rack: Used for heavy and oversized cargo that cannot fit into standard containers, such as construction equipment or vehicles.
• 40-foot Flat Rack: Larger version for the same purpose as the 20-foot flat rack.

High Cube Containers

• 20-foot High Cube Container: Slightly taller than standard containers to provide more volume.
• 40-foot High Cube Container: Similar to the 40-foot standard but with additional height for larger cargo.

Tank Container

20-foot Tank Container used for transporting liquids, gases, and powders in bulk. These containers are made of strong steel or other anti-corrosive materials to withstand the stresses of transportation.

Ventilated Containers