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2024.03.01
What Is TEU? The Meaning of Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit in Container Shipping
What is TEU and what does it mean in container shipping?
TEU is the abbreviation for “Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit.”
It is the standard unit of measurement used to describe container capacity.
What does 1 TEU mean?
1 TEU represents the capacity of one standard 20-foot (ft) container,
which is the most common unit used in global shipping and container logistics.
This unit is widely used in international trade and the container shipping industry to calculate:
- The number of containers
- The total loading capacity of a vessel, terminal, or shipping route
For example:
- 1 TEU = one 20-foot container
- 2 TEU = the capacity of one 40-foot container
By using TEU as a standardized measurement, different companies and organizations around the world can more easily communicate, plan shipping needs, and compare port or vessel capacity.

What does “24,000 TEU-class container vessel” mean?
In container shipping, you may often hear shipping lines mention “24,000 TEU-class” container ships.
A 24,000 TEU vessel means that this container ship can theoretically carry 24,000 standard 20-foot containers.
This provides a convenient way to compare:
- The size and capacity of different vessels
- The scale of ports and terminals
- The overall throughput of shipping routes
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WuSin Transportations Co., LTD. – Container Trucking Services:
- Standard dry container transport
- Reefer (refrigerated) container transport
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Related FAQs – WuSin Transportations Co., LTD.
- What Is the Difference Between 40-Foot and 20-Foot Containers?
- Common Shipping Terms and Abbreviations in English and Chinese
- Key Safety Considerations and Characteristics of Dangerous Goods Transportation
- What Is Dangerous Goods Transportation?
- Dangerous Goods Classification and Hazard Labels
- What Is the Container Loading and Unloading Process?