Ultra Large Container Vessel

Abbreviation: ULCV

Container ships >= 14,500 TEU — too large for the new Panama locks; restricted to Asia-Europe and Asia-East-coast-US-via-Suez routes.

In practice

Large container ships restricted to a small number of deep-sea hub ports (Rotterdam, Algeciras, Singapore, Yangshan). Pilot, tug, and terminal coordination is significant.

Regulatory detail & full definition

Top end now ~24,000 TEU (MSC Irina class, Ever Alot class, OOCL Spain class). Length ~400 m, beam 61.5 m, draft 16 m+. Calls limited to deep-water hub ports (Singapore, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Qingdao, Yangshan, Algeciras, Tanger Med, Felixstowe, Piraeus, etc.).

Source: Industry usage; Alphaliner cellular fleet monthly

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Ultra Large Container Vessel

In practice

Related

Ultra Large Container Vessel

In practice

Related