Container Ship For Sale

Global trade relies on a fleet of roughly 6,500 to 6,700 active total container ships in the world as of early 2025. Together, they offer a staggering 31.4 million TEU of space—a figure that represents a doubling of capacity over the last two decades, reflecting the unrelenting growth of international supply chains.

Complete Guide to Buy a Container Ship

Your Premier Source for Quality Used Container ship for sale Worldwide

Welcome to Apsshipbrokers a comprehensive guide for purchasing used container ships. Whether you're an established Container operator expanding your fleet, a regional carrier seeking reliable container tonnage, or a charter operator entering the container market, we have a big selection of quality pre-owned container vessels ranging from 100 TEU feeder ships to 24,000 TEU mega-container carriers. Our inventory encompasses all major container ship categories, ages, and specifications to meet diverse route requirements and operational strategies across global container trades.

Understanding the Container Ship for sale Market

The used container ship market presents exceptional opportunities for buyers seeking good container vessels with documented operational histories at competitive valuations. Unlike new buildings requiring 24-36 months for delivery, used container ships offer immediate availability, enabling buyer to capture market opportunities, fulfill charter commitments, or launch new services without delay. Our portfolio includes container vessels from the world's premier shipyards in Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe, ensuring build quality, fuel efficiency, and strong residual values.

All Sizes of Container Ship for sale Available

Small Feeder Container Ships (100 - 500 TEU)

Serve short-sea routes, island connections, and river trades. Drafts of 4-6 meters and onboard cranes for cargo handling independence.

Feeder Container Ships (500 - 1,000 TEU)

Backbone of regional container distribution. Drafts 6-8 meters. Most are geared vessels with 2-4 cranes (40-45 ton capacity).

Small Feeder / Regional Container Ships (1,000 - 1,500 TEU)

Bridge feeder and regional mainline services. Geared and gear-less options available. Flexible for mixed port infrastructure.

Feedermax Container Ships (1,500 - 2,500 TEU)

Upper tier feeder tonnage. Drafts 9-11 meters. Serves intra-regional and regional mainline routes. Geared and non-geared vessels available.

Handy Container Ships (2,500 - 3,500 TEU)

Secondary mainline routes. Gear-less design optimized for fuel efficiency. Drafts 10-12 meters.

Sub-Panamax Container Ships (3,000 - 5,000 TEU)

Originally Panama Canal transit (pre-expansion). Beam ~32.2 meters. Serve regional mainlines and specialized services.

Panamax Container Ships (5,000 - 7,000 TEU)

Maximum size for original Panama Canal dimensions. Beam ~32.2 meters, drafts 12-13 meters. Serve trans-Pacific and cross-regional trades.

Post-Panamax Container Ships (7,000 - 10,000 TEU)

Too wide for original Panama Canal locks. Beams 40-45 meters. Major East-West routes before cascading to secondary trades.

New Panamax / Neo-Panamax Container Ships (10,000 - 14,500 TEU)

Designed for expanded Panama Canal locks. Beam ~49 meters, draft 15.2 meters. Serve trans-Pacific and North-South trades with fuel efficiency.

Ultra-Large Container Ships - ULCV (14,000 - 24,000+ TEU)

• 14,000-16,000 TEU: Intermediate large ships, good port accessibility.
• 18,000-20,000 TEU: Ultra-large vessels, specialized deep-water terminals required.
• 21,000-24,000+ TEU: Mega-ships operating mainly Asia-Europe via Suez Canal. Require largest terminals and infrastructure.

Geared vs. Non-Geared Container Ships

Geared Container Vessels

• Onboard cranes provide cargo handling independence.
• Port Flexibility: Operate at terminals without shore cranes.
• Charter Premium: 15-30% higher rates than gear-less vessels.
• Typical Sizes: 100-3,000 TEU. Beyond 3,000 TEU, gearing becomes impractical.

Gear-Less Container Vessels

• Eliminate onboard cranes for maximum capacity and fuel efficiency.
• Require shore-based cranes.
• Dominant for vessels above 3,000 TEU and mainline services.

Critical Factors When Buying Used Container Ships

Container ship Age and Vessel Condition

• Modern (0-5 yrs): Premium price, superior fuel efficiency, minimal maintenance.
• Mid-age (5-12 yrs): Good value, strong charter acceptance.
• Older (12-18 yrs): Attractive pricing, requires technical assessment.

Special Survey and Drydocking Status (SS/DD)

Fresh-from-drydock vessels command 18-28% premium. Discounts apply for upcoming surveys:

• Feeder vessels (500-1,500 TEU): $0.6-1.2M
• Regional ships (1,500-3,000 TEU): $1-1.8M
• Sub-Panamax (3,000-5,000 TEU): $1.5-2.5M
• Panamax (5,000-7,000 TEU): $2-3M
• Post-Panamax (7,000-10,000 TEU): $2.5-4M
• New Panamax (10,000-14,000 TEU): $3.5-5.5M
• ULCV (14,000+ TEU): $5-8M

Draft and Port Accessibility of the container ship

• Shallow Draft (<8m): Feeder vessels, river ports.
• Medium Draft (8-12m): Regional and Sub-Panamax vessels.
• Standard Draft (12-14m): Panamax and Post-Panamax.
• Deep Draft (14-16m): New Panamax and ULCV.

Shipyard Provenance and Build Quality

• Japanese: Premium construction, long-term reliability (Imabari, Tsuneishi, JMU, Mitsubishi, Kawasaki).
• Korean: Advanced designs, strong resale, high acceptance globally (Hyundai, Samsung, DSME, Samho).
• Chinese: Varies by yard (CSSC, COSCO, Yangzijiang, Hudong-Zhonghua).
• European: Specialized or smaller vessels (Meyer Werft, Fincantieri).

Speed and Fuel Consumption of the container ship

• Design speed: 20-25 knots. Slow steaming (16-20 knots) improves fuel economy.
• Feeder: 15-25 tons/day
• Sub-Panamax: 40-60 tons/day
• Panamax: 60-80 tons/day
• Post-Panamax: 100-140 tons/day
• New Panamax: 140-180 tons/day
• ULCV: 200-280 tons/day

Reefer Capacity and Cargo Flexibility

• High Reefer: 20-30% of slots
• Standard Reefer: 10-15%
• Low Reefer: <10%

IMO Compliance and Environmental Regulations

• BWTS: Mandatory ballast water treatment systems.
• EEDI/EEXI: Energy efficiency compliance.
• IMO 2020: Low-sulfur fuel or scrubbers.
• CII ratings: Efficiency grades A-E.
• Upcoming GHG regulations.

Pricing Dynamics in the Used container ship for sale Market

why buy a Container Ship from APSShipBrokers

We maintain the industry's most comprehensive database of used container ships, continuously updated. Our brokers provide technical assessments, inspections, negotiations, and guidance through documentation and delivery. Whether acquiring a single feeder vessel or a diversified fleet, our global network ensures access to the best opportunities.

Ready to explore our current container ship for sale inventory? Contact our specialized container brokers today for personalized guidance and exclusive listings tailored to your operational requirements and investment objectives.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Buying a Container Ship

Question 1: How many container ships are currently operating worldwide?

Answer: As of early 2025, the global fleet consists of approximately 6,500–6,700 active container ships with a combined capacity of around 31.4 million TEU. Global container capacity has more than doubled over the past two decades, reflecting strong growth in international trade and supply chains.

Question 2: What sizes of container ships are available for sale?

Answer: Container ships are available across all major size segments:
• 100–500 TEU – Small feeder vessels
• 500–1,000 TEU – Feeder container ships
• 1,000–1,500 TEU – Regional container ships
• 1,500–2,500 TEU – Feedermax vessels
• 2,500–3,500 TEU – Handy container ships
• 3,000–5,000 TEU – Sub-Panamax vessels
• 5,000–7,000 TEU – Panamax container ships
• 7,000–10,000 TEU – Post-Panamax vessels
• 10,000–14,500 TEU – New Panamax / Neo-Panamax
• 14,000–24,000+ TEU – Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCV)

This range allows buyers to align vessel size with trade routes, port restrictions, and investment strategy.

Question 3: What is the difference between geared and gear-less container ships?

Answer:
Geared container ships:
• Equipped with onboard cranes
• Can operate at ports without shore cranes
• Common in vessels from 100–3,000 TEU
• Often achieve 15–30% higher charter rates in niche trades

Gear-less container ships:
• No onboard cranes
• Higher cargo intake and improved fuel efficiency
• Require shore-based port cranes
• Dominant in vessels above 3,000 TEU

Question 4: Why buy a used container ship instead of a newbuilding?

Answer: Purchasing a used container ship provides:
• Immediate availability (no 24–36 month construction delay)
• Lower capital expenditure
• Proven operational track record
• Faster entry into the charter market

Used vessels are ideal for operators looking to expand quickly and capture market cycles.

Question 5: What should I consider when buying a used container ship?

Answer: Key considerations include:
• Vessel age and overall condition
   – 0–5 years: Premium pricing, highest efficiency
   – 5–12 years: Balanced investment value
   – 12–18 years: Lower price, requires detailed technical review
• Special Survey (SS) and Dry Docking (DD) status
• Fuel consumption and speed performance
• Reefer container capacity
• Draft and port accessibility
• Compliance with IMO environmental regulations

Question 6: What are typical fuel consumption levels?

Answer: Fuel consumption varies depending on vessel size:
• Feeder vessels: 15–25 tons/day
• Sub-Panamax: 40–60 tons/day
• Panamax: 60–80 tons/day
• Post-Panamax: 100–140 tons/day
• New Panamax: 140–180 tons/day
• ULCV: 200–280 tons/day

Slow steaming (16–20 knots) can significantly reduce fuel consumption and operating costs.

Question 7: What is the price range of container ships for sale?

Answer: Approximate used market price ranges:
• Small feeders (300–700 TEU): USD 2–5 million
• Feeders (700–1,500 TEU): USD 4–10 million
• Feedermax (1,500–2,500 TEU): USD 8–16 million
• Handy (2,500–3,500 TEU): USD 12–20 million
• Sub-Panamax (4,000–5,000 TEU): USD 15–28 million
• Panamax (5,000–7,000 TEU): USD 18–35 million
• Post-Panamax (8,000–10,000 TEU): USD 25–45 million
• New Panamax (10,000–13,000 TEU): USD 40–70 million
• ULCV (14,000–20,000 TEU): USD 60–120 million

Prices depend on vessel age, condition, survey status, charter attachment, and prevailing market demand.

Question 8: What environmental regulations must container ships comply with?

Answer: Modern container ships must comply with:
• IMO 2020 sulfur cap regulations
• Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) requirements
• EEDI / EEXI energy efficiency standards
• CII performance ratings (A–E grading system)
• Upcoming greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets

Environmental compliance plays a significant role in vessel valuation and charter attractiveness.

Question 9: What is reefer capacity and why is it important?

Answer: Reefer capacity refers to the number of refrigerated container plugs available onboard:
• High Reefer: 20–30% of total slots
• Standard Reefer: 10–15%
• Low Reefer: Under 10%

Higher reefer capacity enables transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo such as food products, pharmaceuticals, and perishables.

Question 10: Why buy a container ship through APS Shipbrokers?

Answer: APS Shipbrokers provides:
• Access to a global database of container ships for sale
• Technical evaluation and inspection coordination
• Professional negotiation support
• Documentation review and delivery management
• Customized vessel selection based on route and investment strategy

Our experienced brokers ensure secure and smooth transactions from initial inquiry to vessel delivery.

Question 11: How quickly can I acquire a container ship?

Answer: Used container ships can often be delivered within a few weeks after signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), subject to inspection results, documentation clearance, and payment terms.