Logistics & transporten
Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU)
Standardised unit of measurement for containerised maritime transport, corresponding to a 20-foot long container.
Definition and dimensions
The TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) is the standard unit of measurement for containerised maritime transport. One TEU corresponds to an ISO container of 20 feet (6.10 m long × 2.44 m wide × 2.59 m high). A 40-foot container (the most commonly used) equals 2 TEU (or 1 FEU — Forty-foot Equivalent Unit).
ISO standards
Containers are standardised by ISO 668 (dimensions) and ISO 6346 (coding and marking). Main types:
- Dry (standard): general cargo
- Reefer: refrigerated container for temperature-sensitive products
- Open top: top loading for bulky goods
- Flat rack: platforms for oversized cargo
- Tank: tank container for liquids
Capacity and logistics
A standard 20' container offers a usable volume of approximately 33 m³ and a payload of approximately 21.7 tonnes. The largest current container ships (ULCV class) carry over 24,000 TEU.
Implications for operators
- The choice between FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load) depends on cargo volume
- The maximum weight depends on road transport regulations of the destination country (in the EU, typically 44 tonnes for vehicle + container combined)
- Verified weighing (VGM — Verified Gross Mass) has been mandatory since 2016 (SOLAS Convention, Chapter VI, Regulation 2)