What is the general speed of cargo ships?
2 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.
