The international shipping industry plays a pivotal role in facilitating global trade, accounting for approximately 90 percent of the exchange of goods worldwide.

According to the International Chamber of Shipping, over 50,000 merchant ships currently navigate the world’s oceans, highlighting the immense scale and significance of maritime transportation.

Container ships, specifically designed to carry cargo in standardized intermodal containers, are a cornerstone of modern shipping operations. These vessels are categorized based on their capacity, with seven main types currently in service: small feeder, feeder, large feeder, Panamax, post-Panamax, neo-Panamax, and Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV).

The concept of the container ship can be credited to Malcolm McLean in 1956, marking a transformative milestone in the cargo shipping industry. Since then, a relentless pursuit of efficiency has driven the construction of increasingly larger container ships, some of which now rival crude oil tankers and bulk carriers as the largest commercial marine vessels in existence.

One such behemoth is the MV Barzan, an Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV) boasting a capacity of 18,800 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit). Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2015 in Mopko, South Korea, the vessel is classified by DNV GL and owned by the United Arab Shipping Company (UASC). Notably, the MV Barzan stands out for its eco-friendly design, boasting a lower carbon footprint compared to predecessors like the Maersk EEE-class containerships. With a deadweight tonnage of 199,744 and a gross tonnage of 195,636, the MV Barzan achieves an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) nearly 50% lower than the 2025 cap set by the International Maritime Organization.

Operated by Hapag-Lloyd, the MV Barzan proudly flies the Maltese flag.

Another formidable contender in the realm of container shipping is the MSC Diana. Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries in 2016, this Pegasus-class container ship boasts impressive dimensions: 399.9 meters in length, 58.8 meters in width, and a draft of 30.2 meters. With a deadweight of 197,708 tons and a capacity of 19,462 TEUs, the MSC Diana epitomizes the capabilities of modern maritime engineering. Currently registered under the Liberian flag, the vessel exemplifies the global nature of the shipping industry.

The Ever Golden, with a capacity of 20,160 TEUs, is yet another colossal addition to the fleet of container ships. Built in 2018 by Saijo Shipyard Imabari Shipbuilding, this mammoth vessel boasts a deadweight of 218,000 tons, surpassing the length of four soccer fields combined at 400 meters.

The Ever Golden represents a milestone for Imabari Shipbuilding as the first 20,000 TEU container ship in its fleet. Operated by Taiwanese freighter giant Evergreen, the vessel sails under the Panamanian flag.

Among the notable achievements in container ship innovation is the MOL Triumph. As the world’s first 20,000 TEU class container ship, the MOL Triumph showcases cutting-edge technology aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability. With a deadweight of 192,672 tons and a cargo capacity of 20,170 TEUs, the vessel incorporates advanced energy-saving technologies such as low-friction underwater coatings and high-efficiency propulsion systems, contributing to fuel efficiency and environmental conservation.

The evolution of container ships is a testament to human ingenuity and technological advancement in the maritime industry. These mammoth vessels not only facilitate global trade on an unprecedented scale but also embody the relentless pursuit of efficiency and sustainability in modern shipping operations.