# gross container ship

*Last updated: 2026-06-12*

> Shipping lines deploy large container vessels (often called mega- or ultra-large carriers) as the backbone of their mainline services on major trade lanes such as Asia–Europe and Transpacific.

Shipping lines deploy large container vessels (often called mega- or ultra-large carriers) as the backbone of their mainline services on major trade lanes such as Asia–Europe and Transpacific. These ships have capacities ranging from 15,000 to over 24,000 TEU and deliver significant economies of scale and low per-unit handling costs. Their throughput and advanced loading efficiency have defined global container logistics since the 2010s and remain the standard for high-volume trade routes.

**Source:** [https://www.britannica.com/technology/container-ship](https://www.britannica.com/technology/container-ship)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | gross container ship |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 72 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-12 |
| Source | https://www.britannica.com/technology/container-ship |

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*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/gross-container-ship](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/gross-container-ship)*

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