If you’re planning to export or import vehicles, you’ve probably wondered — how many cars can a container ship carry? The answer depends on the type of ship and container size used.
1. Understanding Container Car Shipping
Cars are usually shipped using 20ft or 40ft containers. These containers protect vehicles from damage, theft, and weather during transit.
- 🚗 20ft Container: Can hold 1 car, ideal for small or standard sedans.
- 🚙🚗 40ft Container: Can hold 2 regular cars or up to 3 compact cars if arranged efficiently.
For bulk shipping, logistics companies use RoRo (Roll-On/Roll-Off) vessels instead of containers.
2. Large Container Ships vs. RoRo Vessels
While containers are great for safety and flexibility, RoRo ships are specifically designed to carry vehicles.
- A medium-sized car carrier can hold around 4,000 to 6,000 cars.
- The largest RoRo vessels can transport over 8,000 vehicles in one voyage.
Container ships, on the other hand, carry thousands of containers, and depending on the ship’s size, they can hold over 20,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) — meaning thousands of cars when calculated in container capacity.
3. Which Option Is Best for You?
If you’re shipping a few cars or luxury vehicles, container shipping is best for added safety.
If you’re moving many cars at once, RoRo shipping is cheaper and faster.
4. Smart Trade Logistic Makes Car Shipping Simple
At Smart Trade Logistic, we handle both container and RoRo vehicle shipping from Germany, USA, UK, and China to Nigeria. Our team ensures safe handling, customs clearance, and timely delivery.
Contact Us
📞 Nigeria: +234 906 994 3188
📞 Germany: +49 1521 0598 212
🌐 Website: smarttradeltd.com
📧 Email: logistics@smarttradeltd.com
Ready to ship your car safely and affordably?
Get a Free Quote Today