Feeder vessel
A feeder vessel is a small container ship that carries containers between a large hub port and smaller ports nearby.
In plain words
The largest container ships call only at a few big hub ports. Feeder vessels “feed” these ships: they bring export containers to the hub and take import containers from the hub to smaller ports. Feeders usually carry from a few hundred to a few thousand TEU.
When your container changes from a main ship to a feeder (or the other way), this is called transshipment. It makes more ports reachable, but it adds time and the risk of delay if the container misses its connection. Ask whether your booking is direct or uses a feeder.
Example from real shipping
A container from China travels on a large ship to a hub port in the Mediterranean. There, it is unloaded and waits for a feeder vessel. Four days later, the feeder takes it to a smaller port in the Black Sea. The total transit time is longer than on a direct service.
Related terms
- Container shipA container ship is a cargo ship built to carry standard containers, stacked in its holds and on its deck.
- Transit timeTransit time is how long the cargo is expected to travel from the start point to the end point. It is an estimate, not a fixed promise.
- TEUTEU is the standard unit for counting containers. One 20-foot container is 1 TEU, and one 40-foot container is 2 TEU.
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Request a QuoteThis glossary is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, fees, and practice can differ by carrier, port, and country.