Container ship
Container ship loading
Container ship Rita being loaded at Copenhagen; note crew standing on deck, and stacks of containers on shore larger version
Container ship Rita being loaded at Copenhagen; note crew standing on deck, and stacks of containers on shore larger version
Container ships are cargo ships that carry all of their load in truck-size containers, in a technique called containerization.
Informally known as "box boats", they carry the majority of the world's dry cargo. There are large main line vessels that ply the deep sea routes, then many small "feeder" ships that supply the large ships at centralized hub ports. Most container ships are propelled by diesel engines, and have small crews of between 20 and 40 people. They generally have a large accommodation block at the stern, directly above the engine room.