How Many Containers Fit on a Ship? From Feeders to Mega-Ships
By Steve Joury / octubre 23, 2026
How many containers fit on a ship? From 1,000 TEU feeders to 24,000+ TEU mega-ships, what a TEU is, how...
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Last updated: 23 October 2026
Hamburg is Germany’s biggest port and one of the best places in Europe to start a freighter voyage. Ships leave for North and South America, Asia, Africa and the Baltic, and the city itself is a fantastic place to spend a day or two before you sail. Here’s everything you need to know.
Where you can sail from Hamburg| Destination | Typical voyage time |
|---|---|
| US East Coast or Canada | About 10–14 days |
| South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina) | About 3–5 weeks |
| Asia (Singapore, China, Korea) | About 4–6 weeks |
| West Africa | Unas 2 o 3 semanas |
| Baltic Sea (Finland, Baltic states, Poland) | 1–2 weeks round trip |
| Iceland and Northern Europe | About 1–2 weeks |
Routes and passenger availability change. Your agent will confirm what’s sailing when you want to go.
The port of Hamburg
Hamburg’s port lies on the river Elbe, about 100 km from the North Sea. The main container terminals include Burchardkai, Altenwerder, Tollerort and Eurogate. Ro-ro and multipurpose ships use other terminals.
Sailing down the Elbe is a highlight: you pass the city’s waterfront, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and the Willkomm Höft ship greeting point in Wedel, where passing ships are greeted with their national anthem.
Getting to Hamburg from the UK
- By train: London to Brussels by Eurostar, then on to Hamburg via Cologne. Total time is about 8–10 hours.
- By ferry and train: Harwich to Hook of Holland, then trains via Amsterdam
- By air: direct flights from London and other UK airports
Once in Hamburg, take a taxi to the terminal. Your agent will send the gate details.
Boarding day
- Your agent confirms the time, often only a day or two before departure, because schedules move.
- Go to the terminal gate with your passport and booking confirmation.
- A port shuttle or crew member escorts you to the ship, as you can’t walk around container terminals.
- Climb the gangway and meet the crew.
Spend a day in Hamburg
- Walk the Speicherstadt warehouse district, a UNESCO site
- Visit the International Maritime Museum
- Take a harbour boat tour from the Landungsbrücken piers
- Enjoy the Elbphilharmonie viewing platform
Tips
- Stay flexible, as departure can shift by a day or more.
- Book a refundable hotel.
- Travel light, as you’ll carry your own luggage up the gangway.
Other departure ports: freighter travel from Antwerp y viajes en buque de carga desde el Reino Unido. See also how to book a cargo ship voyage.
Preguntas frecuentes
Can I travel on a cargo ship from Hamburg?
Yes. Hamburg is one of Europe’s main departure ports for freighter travel.
Where do cargo ships from Hamburg go?
To North and South America, Asia, Africa, the Baltic and Northern Europe.
How do I get to Hamburg from the UK without flying?
By Eurostar to Brussels and trains via Cologne, or by ferry to the Netherlands and train.
How do I board a cargo ship in Hamburg?
Go to the terminal gate with your documents, and you’ll be escorted to the ship.
Can departure dates from Hamburg change?
Yes. Cargo schedules can move by a day or more, so stay flexible.
Sail from Hamburg
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Steve Joury
Asesor de viajes de carga at Cargoholidays
Apasionado de los viajes lentos y del mar. Steve conoce la mayoría de las rutas marítimas y el procedimiento para descubrir nuestro hermoso mundo desde el mar en un barco de contenedores. Ha estado en la mayoría de los viajes desde 7 días de viaje de carga hasta 140 días a bordo.
Latest posts by Steve Joury (see all)
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- Freighter Travel from Antwerp: Cargo Ship Voyages from Belgium - octubre 23, 2026
