Quanti container ci stanno su una nave? Dalle navi feeder alle mega-navi
By Steve Joury / Ottobre 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...
Read More
Last updated: 23 October 2026
Many cargo ship passengers are retired, but freighter travel has age limits and medical rules that cruises don’t. The reason is simple: there is usually no doctor on board, and the ship can be days from the nearest port. Here is what shipping lines typically ask for in 2026.
Why there are age and medical rules- No ship’s doctor: a cargo ship’s crew includes officers trained in first aid, but not a doctor.
- Days from land: on ocean crossings, the nearest port may be several days away.
- Steep ladders and stairs: you’ll climb steep internal stairs and an external gangway or pilot ladder.
- Cost of deviation: if the ship has to change course for a medical emergency, it is very expensive.
Typical age limits
| Rule | Intervallo tipico |
|---|---|
| Maximum age | Often 75–85, depending on the shipping line |
| Over-65s | Usually a full medical certificate is required |
| Minimum age for children | Often around 6, sometimes older; some lines don’t accept children |
| Pregnancy | Not usually accepted beyond an early stage |
Rules vary by shipping line and are reviewed regularly. Your booking agent will confirm the current rules for your voyage.
Families can read Viaggiare su una nave da carico con i bambini.
The medical certificate
Most lines provide their own form, which your doctor completes and signs. It usually asks:
- Whether you are fit to travel on a cargo ship, far from medical help
- Whether you can climb stairs and ladders independently
- Your heart, lung and other health conditions
- Your current medication
It usually has to be dated within a few months of sailing, so don’t get it too early.
Medication and health planning
- Bring enough medication for the whole voyage, plus extra for delays.
- Keep medicine in original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.
- Plan for seasickness. See seasickness on a cargo ship.
- Get a dental check-up before long voyages.
- Pack a small first-aid kit.
Insurance for seniors
Medical and deviation insurance is usually compulsory. Prices rise with age and medical history, and some insurers have upper age limits. Read assicurazione di viaggio per navi da carico and our cruise travel insurance guide.
Is freighter travel right for you?
Freighter travel suits independent, reasonably fit people who enjoy peace and quiet, and many passengers are in their 60s and 70s. It is less suitable if you need regular medical care, have limited mobility, or want entertainment and organised activities.
Read is freighter travel safe?, how to book a cargo ship voyage and the cargo ship travel guide.
Domande frequenti
Esiste un limite di età per viaggiare su una nave da carico?
Yes. Many shipping lines have a maximum age, often between 75 and 85.
Do I need a medical certificate for freighter travel?
Usually yes, especially if you are over 65. Your doctor completes the shipping line’s form.
Is there a doctor on a cargo ship?
Usually not. Officers are trained in first aid and can contact doctors by radio or satellite.
Can children travel on cargo ships?
Some lines accept children above a minimum age, often around 6. Others don’t.
Can I travel on a cargo ship while pregnant?
Usually only in early pregnancy, if at all. Check with the shipping line.
Check if you can travel
Tell us your age and route, and we’ll find a voyage that fits.
Ask us →
Steve Joury
Consulente di viaggio Cargo at Cargoholidays
Appassionato di viaggi lenti e di mare. Steve conosce la maggior parte delle rotte di navigazione e le procedure per scoprire il nostro bellissimo mondo dal mare su una nave container. Ha partecipato a molti viaggi, da 7 giorni di viaggio in cargo a 140 giorni a bordo.
