Small container ships (1,000-3,000 TEU) that ferry containers between regional ports and main hub-port hubs served by ULCVs.
Regulatory detail & full definition
Often time-chartered to main-line operators (Maersk, MSC) to feed hubs like Singapore, Rotterdam, Algeciras. Run on shorter trades (intra-Europe, Caribbean, intra-Asia) where ULCVs cannot economically call. Self-geared on smaller sizes; gearless on larger feeders.