{"id":99971,"date":"2026-10-23T11:34:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/how-fast-do-container-ships-go"},"modified":"2026-10-23T11:34:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:34:57","slug":"how-fast-do-container-ships-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/how-fast-do-container-ships-go","title":{"rendered":"\u00c0 quelle vitesse naviguent les porte-conteneurs ? Vitesses, n\u0153uds et navigation au ralenti"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"How Fast Do Container Ships Go? Speeds, Knots and Slow Steaming\",\n            \"description\": \"How fast do container ships go? Typical speeds in knots and mph, why ships slow steam, top speeds, how speed affects fuel use, and how long voyages take.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/how-fast-do-container-ships-go\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/how-fast-do-container-ships-go-cargoholidays-1024x576.jpg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-23\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-23\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How fast do container ships go?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Most cruise at about 14&ndash;20 knots today, roughly 16&ndash;23 mph.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What is the top speed of a container ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Many large ships are designed for 22&ndash;25 knots, but rarely sail that fast.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What is slow steaming?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Sailing below design speed to save fuel and reduce emissions.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How fast is a knot?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"One nautical mile per hour, about 1.15 mph or 1.85 km\\\/h.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Are container ships faster than cruise ships?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually not. Cruise ships often sail at 18&ndash;22 knots.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n<\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Derni\u00e8re mise \u00e0 jour : 23 octobre 2026<\/p><p><strong>Most container ships today cruise at about 14 to 20 knots, roughly 16 to 23 miles per hour.<\/strong> They&rsquo;re capable of more, but fuel costs and emissions rules mean most ships sail slower than their designers intended. Here&rsquo;s how fast container ships go, and why.<\/p>Container ship speed at a glance<div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Measure<\/th><th>Typical speed<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Typical service speed today<\/td><td>14&ndash;20 knots (about 26&ndash;37 km\/h, 16&ndash;23 mph)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Design speed of many large ships<\/td><td>22&ndash;25 knots<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Slow steaming<\/td><td>About 12&ndash;18 knots<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Top speed of the fastest container ships<\/td><td>Around 25+ knots<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><p><strong>What is a knot?<\/strong> One knot is one nautical mile per hour, about 1.15 mph or 1.85 km\/h.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_299033911-1024x575.jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial view of a container ship\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Aerial view of a container ship\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Most container ships cruise at about 14&ndash;20 knots.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Why do container ships go slower than they can?<\/h2><h3>Slow steaming<\/h3><p>Since the late 2000s, many shipping lines have adopted <strong>navigation \u00e0 vitesse r\u00e9duite<\/strong>, reducing speed to save fuel. Fuel use rises steeply with speed, so a small reduction makes a big difference. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/how-much-fuel-does-a-container-ship-use\/\">how much fuel a container ship uses<\/a>.<\/p><h3>Emissions rules<\/h3><p>International rules on ships&rsquo; carbon intensity encourage lines to sail slower and use more efficient ships.<\/p><h3>Schedule reliability<\/h3><p>Lines often adjust speed to arrive on time for their slot at the next port.<\/p><h2>Speeds of other ship types<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Type de navire<\/th><th>Typical service speed<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Container ship<\/td><td>14&ndash;20 knots<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bulk carrier<\/td><td>12&ndash;15 knots. See <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/what-is-a-bulk-carrier\/\">what is a bulk carrier<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oil tanker<\/td><td>12&ndash;15 knots<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ro-ro and car carrier<\/td><td>15&ndash;20 knots. See <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship\/\">what is a ro-ro ship<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cruise ship<\/td><td>18&ndash;22 knots<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fast ferry<\/td><td>30&ndash;40 knots<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Container cargo ship at sea\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container cargo ship at sea\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Slow steaming saves fuel and cuts emissions.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>How long do voyages take?<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Itin\u00e9raire<\/th><th>Dur\u00e9e habituelle<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>UK to the US East Coast<\/td><td>About 9&ndash;14 days. See <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/how-long-to-cross-the-atlantic-by-ship\/\">crossing the Atlantic<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Europe to Singapore via Suez<\/td><td>About 3&ndash;4 weeks<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Europe to China via the Cape<\/td><td>About 6 weeks<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Europe to Australia<\/td><td>About 5&ndash;7 weeks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><h2>What does the speed feel like on board?<\/h2><p>At sea, 18 knots feels calm and steady. A huge container ship moves through the water smoothly, and the main sensation is the gentle vibration of the engine. You&rsquo;ll notice speed changes when the ship slows to pick up a pilot near port.<\/p><p>Learn more: <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/how-big-is-a-container-ship\/\">how big is a container ship<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/how-many-containers-fit-on-a-ship\/\">how many containers fit on a ship<\/a> et <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/how-to-track-a-ship\/\">how to track a ship<\/a>.<\/p><h2>Foire aux questions<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>\u00c0 quelle vitesse naviguent les porte-conteneurs ?<\/h3><p>Most cruise at about 14&ndash;20 knots today, roughly 16&ndash;23 mph.<\/p><h3>What is the top speed of a container ship?<\/h3><p>Many large ships are designed for 22&ndash;25 knots, but rarely sail that fast.<\/p><h3>What is slow steaming?<\/h3><p>Sailing below design speed to save fuel and reduce emissions.<\/p><h3>How fast is a knot?<\/h3><p>One nautical mile per hour, about 1.15 mph or 1.85 km\/h.<\/p><h3>Are container ships faster than cruise ships?<\/h3><p>Usually not. Cruise ships often sail at 18&ndash;22 knots.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Feel the speed of the sea<\/strong><p>Ask us about travelling as a passenger on a container ship.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/sinformer-pour-une-croisiere-cargo\/\">Obtenir un devis de voyage \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00c0 quelle vitesse naviguent les porte-conteneurs ? Vitesses habituelles en n\u0153uds et en mph, raisons pour lesquelles les navires r\u00e9duisent leur vitesse, vitesses maximales, incidence de la vitesse sur la consommation de carburant et dur\u00e9e des travers\u00e9es.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99970,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[356,118],"tags":[1556,1760,1588,1759,1749],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99971"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99971"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99972,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99971\/revisions\/99972"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99971"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}