Top 22 World’s Biggest And Largest Container Ships in 2024

[Updated for 2024] The International Shipping Industry accounts for a major chunk, about 90%, of the global trade in goods. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, more than 50,000 merchant ships operate in the oceans.

Container ships (also spelt as containerships) are cargo ships that carry the load in large-sized intermodal containers. They are classified into various categories based on their carrying capacity.

Presently, there are seven major types of container ships in service. In ascending order, they are – Small Feeder, Feeder, Feedermax, Panamax, Post Panamax, New Panamax (or Neo Panamax) and Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV).

In 1956, Malcolm McLean created ripples in the cargo shipping industry by introducing the idea of containerships. Since then, the race to build the most efficient ships has been on fire, producing some of the world’s largest container ships within the boundaries of physics.

The biggest container vessels now rival crude oil tankers and bulk carriers as the largest commercial seaborne vessels.

Biggest and Largest Container Ships In The World

We will examine a list of the world’s largest container ships in 2024 based on their capacity, which is measured in TEU (a Twenty-foot equivalent unit).

Sr. Number	Name of the Ship	TEUs Capacity	Length (m)
1	MSC Irina	24,346	399.9
2	MSC Loreto	24,346	399.9
3	MSC Michel Cappellini	24,346	400
4	OOCL Spain	24,188	399.9
5	ONE Innovation	24,136	399.95
6	MSC Tessa	24,116	399.9
7	Ever Alot	24,004	399.9
8	Ever Ace	23,992	399.9
9	HMM Algeciras	23,964	399.9
10	HMM Oslo	23,820	399.9
11	MSC Gulsun	23,756	399.9
12	Berlin Express	23,660	400
13	MSC Mina	23,656	399.8
14	CMA CGM Jacques Saadé	23,112	399.9
15	OOCL Hong Kong	21,413	399.87
16	COSCO Shipping Universe	21,237	400
17	CMA CGM Antoine De Saint Exupery	20,954	400
18	Madrid Maersk	20,568	399
19	MOL Truth	20,182	399
20	MOL Triumph	20,170	399
21	Ever Glory	20,160	400
22	Ever Golden	20,124	400

1. MSC Irina

MSC Irina has become the world’s biggest container carrier, with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs. It was put into service in 2023 and is sailing under the Liberian Flag. It measures about 399.9 meters in length and boasts a moulded width of about 61.3 meters.

The biggest container vessel took her sea trials in February 2023 and was then sent to Zhejiang Zhoushan Shipyard for final work. MSC Irina was launched in March 2023. Recently, the behemoth sailed on her maiden voyage and docked at Nansha Port. 

Her sister ship, MSC Loreto, with the same carrying capacity and dimensions, is also sailing under the flag of Liberia.

MSC Michel Cappellini has a capacity of 24,346 TEU and is one of the biggest container ships in the world. It was built in 2023 by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding in China. The ship is 400 m long, 61.5 m wide, and 16.5 m deep. It has been named after Michel Cappellini, a former MSC CEO who led the company to new heights.

Irina is the first among the six ships which would be constructed by the Chinese Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group. 

These new vessels have unique design elements to decrease the consumption of fuel, such as propellers with a large diameter and a system that generates air bubbles along the hull to reduce water resistance. It is also fitted with hybrid scrubbers that would decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 3 to 4%. 

2. OOCL Spain

Orient Overseas Container Line, also known as OOCL, got its 1st 24,188 TEU capacity container ship, which was named the OOCL Spain. It was constructed by Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co. 

The giant ship has a total length of 399.9 m and a 61.3 m beam. On 25th March 2023, the Hong Kong Seaport Alliance welcomed OOCL Spain on her maiden voyage. 

She marked a new record for the Hong Kong Port as the 1st container ship with a TEU capacity of over 24,000 calling the city. 

With a gross tonnage of 235,341 tonnes, the ship is currently sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. She is deployed on the company’s Aisa-Europe Service LL3.

The American Bureau of Shipping has awarded her ‘ Smart Ship’ notation due to the use of intelligent technologies onboard that aid in improving fuel efficiency, enabling structural health monitoring and high safety standards.

3. ONE Innovation

One Innovation is One Network Express’s first ever 24,000 TEU class Megamax. It was delivered on 2nd June 2023, at Kure Shipyard of Japan Marine United Corporation.

The vessel has an LOA of 399.95 m and a beam of 61.40 m. It has a 33.2 m depth and a scantling draft of 16.50 m. The ship has a capacity of up to 24,136 TEU.

It would bring economies of scale and decrease carbon emissions due to its unique hull designs that aim to increase the intake of cargo and reduce the consumption of fuel.

One Innovation has an exhaust gas cleaning system, a bow windshield, an energy-saving device, etc. She is also the first of the six new Megamax ships to join ONE’s core fleet.

4. MSC Tessa

The containership MSC Tessa was built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding for the Mediterranean Shipping Company. 

The mega ship has a carrying capacity of 24,116 TEUs. Its deck area is equivalent to 4 football fields. It is 399.9 metres long and 61.5 m wide and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. 

The ship has a small bulbous bow, energy-saving ducts, huge propellors and hybrid scrubbers. It utilises air lubrication to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

DNV classed the ship, which has a moulded depth of 33.2 m and stacked containers that can reach a height of 22 stories. The vessel can also carry over 240,000 tonnes of cargo.

5. Ever Alot

Ever Alot container vessel was constructed in 2022 by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group Co., a subsidiary of China Statebuilding Corporation. It was delivered to the Taiwanese Shipping Company Evergreen Marine.

It can carry up to 24,004 TEUs and is 399.9 m long and 61.5 m wide, with a draft of 17 m. It has a gross tonnage of 236,228 tonnes and a deck area covering 24,000 square metres. 

Ever Alot is the 7th container ship in the company’s A-Class and the 1st ship in the class and the world to surpass the 24,000 TEU mark. It serves as the trade route between Europe and the Far East.

The ship’s hydrodynamic optimisation technology enables it to transport heavy loads at high speed while consuming less fuel. 

6. Ever Ace

With a capacity of 23,992 TEUs, Ever ACE vessel is one of the world’s largest container ships.

It set sail on her maiden voyage in July 2021. This 399.9-meter-long giant has 24 rows of side-by-side containers having a massive breadth of 61.5 meters.

Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea built this modern marvel.

The main engine is a 2-stroke Wartsila engine comprising 11 cylinders delivering 70950 Kilowatts of power, accelerating the ship to a cruising speed of 22.6 knots.

7. HMM Algeciras

HMM Algeciras has a capacity of 23,964 TEUs and is one of twelve 24000 TEU eco-friendly container vessels.

These container ships are also considered one of the most technologically advanced containerships in the world.

The Panama-flagged vessel is 399.9 m long, 61 m wide, and 33.2 m deep. It was constructed by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.

HMM plans to enhance its environmental capabilities by operating newly launched twenty containerships.

The vessels are equipped with a scrubber system in preparation for IMO 2020 environmental regulation.

In addition, optimised hull design and highly efficient engines are also expected to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

8. HMM Oslo

HMM Oslo follows closely behind her sister ship, HMM Algericas. Constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries, HMM Oslo and its sister ships made their maiden voyage in 2020.

The Panama Flagged Vessel is 399.9 meters long and 61.50 meters wide, with a maximum draft of 16.50 m.

HMM Oslo has a carrying capacity of 23,820 TEU.

9. MSC Gulsun

MSC Gulsun Vessel is operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company. Owing to its massive breadth of 62 meters, it was one of the first vessels in history to transport 24 container rows side by side.

It has a capacity of 23,756 TEUs and a length of 399.9 meters.

It was built by Samsung Heavy Industries and is registered in Panama. It is equipped with a dual-tower fire fighting system and designed so that the increased container carrying capacity reduces the overall carbon footprint.

10. Berlin Express

This engineering marvel is one of the biggest containerships in the world. It has a capacity of 23,660 TEU and is fuelled by LNG. It has a type-B tank with an 18,900 cubic metre capacity.

It is the world’s first ship to use high-manganese steel and has the DNV Cyber Secure class notation.

It is 400 m long and 61 m broad. With its 11 sister ships, Hapag-Lloyd will launch a new Hamburg Express Class, the special feature of which will be the propulsion system.

This class of ships would be equipped with dual-fuel technology, enabling them to run on LNH and future non-fossil fuels like e-methane. Berlin Express has a MAN main engine with an output of more than 75,000 KW, allowing it to attain a cruising speed of 22 knots.

11. MSC Mina

MSC Mina is also part of the Gulsun class of container ships. Operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, it has a container carrying capacity of 23,656 TEU.

Constructed by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, the ship measures 399.8 metres long and 61 metres wide.

12. CMA CGM Jacques Saadé

Jacques Saadé of CMA CGM is one of the world’s largest containerships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The vessel has a capacity of 23,112 TEU and measures 399.9 meters long, with a 61.3-meter beam and a height of 78 meters.

The Jacques Saadé is a group of nine container ships built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

13. OOCL Hong Kong

When it was launched in 2017, the OOCL Hong Kong was one of the largest containerships ever. She is the first ship to surpass the 2100 TEU mark.

It is an engineering marvel produced by the firm Orient Overseas Container Line.

Constructed by the Samsung Heavy Industries Geoje shipyard, it has a carrying capacity of 21,413 TEU.

It is one of the biggest container ships, with a length of 399.87 metres, a breadth of 58.8 metres and a depth of 32.5 metres.

It was christened and delivered in May 2017 and serves the trade lane from East Asia to Northern Europe under the flag of Hong Kong.

According to OOCL, China’s One Belt One Road initiative and the signing of the Hong Kong – ASEAN Free Trade Agreement have led to the creation of such a gigantic vessel.

14. COSCO Shipping Universe

This giant, with a carrying capacity of 21,237 TEU, is the largest cargo ship in China.

It is 400 metres long and 58.6 metres wide. Built in 2018 by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), it was transferred to China Ocean Shipping Company Limited (COSCO).

The ship is equipped with ABB Turbochargers, which help it achieve a maximum speed of 22 nautical miles per hour, ensuring optimum performance and enhanced fuel efficiency.

With a deadweight of 199,000 MT, the ship has become a flagship vessel of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which links China’s coast to Europe and Africa through the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

It carries the flag of Hong Kong and plays a crucial role in implementing China’s One Belt, One Road initiative.

15. CMA CGM Antoine De Saint Exupery

Named after the French author and aviator Antoine De Saint Exupery, it was built by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, Philippines.

Its capacity is 20,954 TEU, making it the largest container ship to sail under the French flag.

It is 400 metres long and 59 metres wide and has a deadweight of 202684 MT. It was launched in 2017 and entered into service in February 2018 to serve in the French Asia Line 1 (FAL-1), the longest sea route connecting Asia to Northern Europe.

It is an environment-friendly vessel with a new generation engine and a Becker-twisted fin, ensuring significant reductions in oil consumption (-25%) and carbon dioxide emissions (-4%). In addition, it has a system of filters and UV lamps for the treatment of ballast water, which ensures more excellent protection of marine biodiversity.

16. Madrid Maersk

This cargo ship was the first of the eleven Second Generation Maersk Triple E-class containers. Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, it is the second container ship to surpass the 20,000 TEU mark with a capacity of 20,568 TEU.

Although the ship’s official capacity rating was set to 19,630 TEU, Maersk Line successfully modified the design, breaking the 20,000 TEU mark.

With a deadweight tonnage of 192,672MT, it measures 399 meters long and 58.6 meters in breadth.

The Danish container shipping major Maersk Line has ownership rights over the ultra-large container vessel (ULCV), while the A.P.Moller-Maersk Group operates it.

17. MOL Truth

This ship, proudly carrying the flag of Panama, is operated by the famous Ocean Network Express (ONE) group of Japan. The manufacturer Saijo shipyards of Imabari Shipbuilding Company Limited has ensured a huge size of 399 metres long and 58 metres broad.

With a deadweight of 189,766 MT and a loading capacity of 20,182 TEU, it operates in the Asia-Northern Europe trade route as part of ‘The Alliance’.

The MOL truth has various advanced technologies, such as low-friction hull paint, a high-efficiency propeller and PBCF (*2), a high-efficiency engine plant, and an optimized hull shape, which help it in reducing its environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions by up to 30%.

18. MOL Triumph

MOL Triumph is the seventh-largest containership in the world. It was built in March 2017 by Samsung Heavy Industries in Geoje, South Korea, for the Japanese shipping operator Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.

The vessel is the world’s first 20,000 TEU-class container ship. Triumph’s main engine is the MAN B&W G95ME, providing a maximum output power of 82,440 kW. This is enough to enable the vessel to traverse with a service speed of 22.0 knots, while the maximum recorded speed is 24.0 knots.

The dead weight of the box ship is 192,672 DWT, while the maximum cargo capacity is 20,170 TEU. In addition, the ship has various highly advanced energy-saving technologies, including low friction underwater paint, a high-efficiency rudder, and an improvised propeller, which reduces the water resistance and thus helps boost fuel efficiency.

19. Ever Glory

Ever Glory is a container ship constructed in 2019 for Taiwanese company Evergreen Marine and is currently sailing under the Liberian Flag. It has a gross tonnage of 219,775 tonnes and a deadweight of 198937 tonnes. 

It has a carrying capacity of 20,160 TEUs and is an Evergreen G Class container ship. Its other three sister ships are Ever Govern, Ever Globe and Ever Greet. 

Ever Glory is the only ship in her class sailing under the flag of Liberia, while her sister ships are registered under the flag of Panama. These ships were constructed in 2018 and 2019 by Imambari Shipbuilding, a Japanese company.

The Ever-Glory is 400 m long and 58.8 m wide and has a maximum draught of 16 m. 

20. Ever Golden

This is another giant cargo ship with an unbelievably high DWT of 218,000 MT. At 400 metres long and 58.8 metres wide, it is longer than four football fields combined. It has a carrying capacity of 20,124 TEUs.

It was built in 2018 by the Imabari Shipbuilding, Saijo shipyard. It is the first 20,000 TEU container ship built at Imabari Shipbuilding, among its sister ships, Ever—Goods, Genius, Given, and Gifted, to be delivered to Taiwan’s cargo shipping giant EVERGREEN, which currently operates it.

It has an adequate draught of 12 metres but lacks speed, with the maximum recorded speed being 11.4 nautical miles per hour. It carries the flag of Panama.

21. COSCO Shipping Taurus

Carrying the pin-wheeled flag of Hong Kong, the Shipping Taurus is another marvel operated by the China Ocean Shipping Company Limited (COSCO). The ship was built in 2018 by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. It is a mono-hull ship meant exclusively for container carriage. The vessel has a length of 399.8 metres and a breadth of 58.7 metres.

Interestingly, it is one of the five sister ships of the DNV GL class, each with the names of the five famous constellations, namely COSCO Shipping – Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra and Sagittarius. Each has a loading capacity of 20,119 TEU and a gross tonnage of 194,864 MT.

22. MV Barzan

This ultra-large container Vessel (UCLV) is of the DNV GL class and was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Mopko, South Korea, in 2015. As of 2015, it held the record for the largest container ship, with a carrying capacity of 18,800 TEUs.

Unlike the previous ships, which were generally owned and operated by Chinese or Japanese companies, this vessel is owned by the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC).

With a DWT of 199,744 and a gross tonnage of 195,636, this ship has far lower carbon emissions than Maersk EEE class container ships, making it a significant accomplishment.

It has the lowest per-container level of carbon emissions. Its Energy Efficiency Design Index is quoted as almost 50% less than the International Maritime Organization limit set for 2025.

We have the famous Hapag-Lloyd as the operator and the Malta flag on it.

Conclusion

To conclude, the world’s largest containerships are a fine example of the remarkable feat of engineering and innovation in the maritime industry. In the future, we may see more colossal ships that may break the records of the vessels mentioned in this article.

With their enormous size and carrying capacities, container ships have revolutionised the way goods are transported across the earth, enabling more cost-effective, efficient, and timely deliveries.

However, one should remember that these huge container ships pose many challenges and difficulties as well. They need particular infrastructure and maintenance to operate at their optimum levels.

As the maritime industry continues to make more technological breakthroughs and advancements, it would be interesting to see more extensive and more advanced containerships.

Till then, let us know in the comments about the largest containership you have worked on.

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