Vessel Types Reference Guide
A searchable reference of the standard merchant vessel classes — bulk carriers, container ships, tankers and specialized vessels — with typical capacity ranges and what each is built to carry.
TEU = Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit · DWT = Deadweight Tonnage (cargo + fuel + stores + crew capacity, in metric tons) · m³ = cubic meters of tank capacity.
34 of 34 vessel classes
Choosing the Right Vessel Size
Bigger Isn't Always Better
Larger vessel classes cost less per ton shipped, but can only call at ports with enough draft, berth length and crane reach. Check your load and discharge ports' restrictions before fixing a large-class vessel.
Canal & Strait Limits Define Many Classes
Panamax, Kamsarmax, Suezmax and Neopanamax are literally named for the waterway that caps their dimensions — always confirm your route's canal or strait restrictions when nominating a vessel.
TEU, DWT and m³ Measure Different Things
TEU counts standard 20-foot container equivalents, DWT is a vessel's total carrying capacity in metric tons, and m³ measures tank volume — don't compare a containership's TEU directly against a bulker's DWT.
Need Container or Port Specifics?
See the Container Standards Library for box dimensions, or the Sea Port Directory for berth and draft data at a specific port.
Capacity ranges shown are approximate, standard chartering size classes — exact cutoffs vary slightly between brokers, class societies and shipping publications, and individual vessels can fall outside the typical range for their class. Confirm exact particulars against the vessel's own certificate for a specific fixture.