All about the TEU, Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit

What is TEU?

TEU is a unit of measurement equivalent to a standard 20-foot-long container. A standard TEU container typically has dimensions of 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8.5 feet high (In meters, a TEU is 6.10 meters long, 2.44 meters wide and 2.59 meters high). However, these dimensions can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and type of container.

Use of TEU

TEU is used as the universal measure of containers, which simplifies comparing the capacities of different ships and planning cargoes. It enables logistics companies, forwarders and shipping companies to communicate efficiently about the amount of containers that can be transported.

The importance of TEUs in shipping

TEU is essential for measuring container ship capacity, which is important for both logistics planning and economic efficiency. It helps shipping companies determine how many containers they can carry and optimize their shipping routes and schedules.

Standardization

By using a standardized measure such as TEU, international trade can run more smoothly. It makes the logistic processes streamlined and ensures compatibility between different ships and port equipment worldwide.

Challenges in Using TEU

1. Variation in Container Sizes
   Although TEU refers to a 20-foot container, there are also many containers that are larger, such as the Forty-foot Equivalent Unit (FEU). This can sometimes cause confusion when planning space on ships or calculating shipping costs.
2. Space use
   Not all goods fit perfectly into a standard TEU container. For goods that are non-standard sizes or require special handling, TEU calculations can be less efficient, leading to potentially unused space.