What is the general speed of cargo ships?
3 Answers
Generally speaking, for bulk carriers and tankers, the speed is usually around 13 to 19 knots, while container ships are faster, typically around 20 to 25 knots. Below is an introduction to cargo ships: 1. Dry bulk carriers: These are ships designed to carry unpackaged bulk cargo, specifically used for transporting bulk materials such as coal, ore, grain, fertilizer, cement, and steel. Depending on the cargo, they can be further classified into ore carriers, coal carriers, grain carriers, cement carriers, and timber carriers. 2. Liquid cargo ships: These are ships specially designed to carry liquid cargo, which mainly includes oil, liquefied gas, fresh water, and chemical liquids. Among these, the largest volume is transported for petroleum and its products. 3. Crude oil tankers: These are ships specifically designed to carry crude oil. Due to the vast reserves of crude oil, some tankers can have a deadweight tonnage of over 500,000 tons, making them the largest among all ships.
I spent decades sailing on the sea, and cargo ships usually maintain a speed between 14 to 16 knots, rarely exceeding 20 knots. Going faster consumes too much fuel, and the cost skyrockets with every refueling. Our captain always said driving slower is more cost-effective. Especially for bulk carriers and oil tankers, they mostly hover between 12 to 15 knots; container ships sometimes push to 18 knots to save time, but they slow down in bad weather—safety comes first. I remember once during a storm, we reduced speed to 10 knots, sailing steadily. Nowadays, slow steaming is popular in the shipping industry to save fuel and cut costs, significantly improving efficiency. Though young crew members often complain about the slowness, this practice ensures smoother voyages, less wear and tear on equipment, and overall benefits both the environment and the wallet.
From the perspective of managing cargo ship operations, cruising speed is generally set between 12 to 18 knots, depending on the vessel type and route. Container ships often operate at 18 to 22 knots, while bulk carriers and oil tankers mostly maintain 13 to 15 knots. Fuel consumption is the major cost factor—every 10% increase in speed leads to a 30% rise in fuel usage, so the optimal economical speed is typically around 15 knots. We also consider port schedules and customer delivery deadlines; occasionally, speeds may be increased to 20 knots to meet urgent demands, but this doubles operating costs. Weather and sea conditions can also reduce speed. Through optimization, this speed balances efficiency and safety while minimizing voyage delays.
