Now Let’s Talk About Container Ships

APL Temasek

Talking about container ships? Well, yesterday in Southampton, one very large container ship, the APL Temasek , was leaving the port just as we were getting ready to sail. At about 398 meters long, it made our ship look small in comparison.

As a member of the bridge team on board the Balmoral, I’ve had the opportunity to sail through many of the world’s busiest sea lanes—from the English Channel and the North Sea to the Mediterranean, Baltic, and beyond. No matter where we are, one constant remains: container ships are a constant presence on the world’s oceans.

Container ships are built for efficiency, and they move on strict schedules—loaded with thousands of TEUs filled with everything from electronics and industrial parts to clothing and food. It’s estimated that around 90% of global trade by volume is moved by sea, and container shipping is at the heart of that system.

Modern container ships are incredibly efficient. The largest in service today can carry over 24,000 TEUs, sailing with minimal crew. Many operate with just 20 to 30 people on board, despite being among the biggest moving structures on Earth.

From the bridge of a cruise ship, we see these giants often—crossing our course, entering or exiting major ports, or cruising along parallel routes. Whether we’re in European waters, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, or even transiting across the Atlantic, container vessels are always part of the picture.

Unlike us, carrying guests from one destination to another, container ships move product—quietly and constantly. Their schedules are tight, and port stays are short. The logistics behind their operation are vast and complex, involving port coordination, customs, cargo planning, and environmental compliance—all while managing costs and maintaining safety.

And yet, they often go unnoticed. Most people don’t think about the ship that brought their smartphone, running shoes, or coffee beans halfway across the world. But for those of us working at sea, the scale of the shipping industry is something we witness daily—and it’s hard not to be impressed by what these vessels represent.

Wherever we are in the world, whether it’s the busy North Sea or way out in the open ocean, container ships are always around. They remind us that the sea isn’t just a place for leisure; it’s a global highway for moving goods worldwide.