Container ships
THE BACKBONE OF GLOBAL TRADE
Today, the containership sector is continuing to grow steadily, as increasing global populations drive demand for physical goods. At the same time, containerization is increasing, especially in China and Northeast Asia, as the production of goods is further centralized in hubs.
Bureau Veritas is a proud partner of containership owners and operators. We have been involved in every major innovation in container shipping since the birth of the industry in the 1950s, and we continue to advance innovation in the sector. As a pioneer of LNG-fueled container ships, we are committed to supporting the development and uptake of alternative fuels and other decarbonization technologies.
Global Market Leader Containerships
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
New container ships are larger than ever before, posing complex technical and safety challenges. Bureau Veritas offers a comprehensive set of Rules, as well as support services, to ensure structural integrity and top-of-the-line performance for today’s cutting-edge box ships.
YOUR CONTAINERSHIP CHALLENGES
As a containership owner or operator, one of your biggest concerns is ensuring that your vessels arrive safely and on time. Container ships are particularly susceptible to chokepoint-linked disruptions around the world, including in the Red Sea and the Panama Canal. Problems stem from both geopolitical conflict and climate events.
Looking ahead, an ever-shifting regulatory landscape is making it difficult to commit to long-term choices about the future of your fleet. The International Maritime Organization may soon bring in new rules and EU regulation affecting the maritime industry is increasingly coming into force. At the same time, the sustainable production of alternative fuels has not yet reached scale, which complicates the transition to greener marine fuels like ammonia or methanol.
Still, the global container ship fleet is aging, with more than 20% of vessels over 20 years old, making fleet renewal an increasingly salient issue. However, shipyards are under pressure with capacity constraints and the challenges of bringing newer, more complex designs to market. Rate volatility is also making construction more expensive.
HOW WE SUPPORT YOU
Bureau Veritas’ Rules for container ships are among the most up to date in the industry, designed to help you optimize cargo capacity and gain operational flexibility. As ships increase in size, so too does their technical complexity. Our significant investment in research ensures we remain an industry leader in meeting large box ships’ structural integrity challenges, notably whipping and springing.
Bureau Veritas is also the pioneer and global leader in certification and inspection for different kinds of containers. We provide both statutory and voluntary services for our clients. Thanks to our specialized network of 400+ inspectors and engineers, most tank containers on the market have been inspected and certified by Bureau Veritas.
Our expert surveyors are at every major port around the world, ready to provide tailored attention to your vessels, backed up through our extensive network of technical offices.
OUR CONTAINERSHIP SERVICES
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CLASSIFICATIOnBureau Veritas’ Rules for container ships are based on extensive research into the physics and engineering requirements of large ships. They aim to help owners achieve greater flexibility in loading containers, while maintaining structural strength and safety. | fire safetyFire safety is a particular challenge for ultra-large container ships. Bureau Veritas offers a range of services for fire safety, including alternative designs and certifications for health and safety management onboard. | LashingWe have a strong understanding of cargo capacity, built on decades of structural research and development. Our container lashing software VeriSTAR Lashing enables greater flexibility in container loading, including safe loading of heavier containers higher in a stack. |
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DUAL-FuelBureau Veritas has played a central role in the adoption of LNG as fuel in container shipping. Now, we are supporting the uptake of other alternative fuels in the segment, including methanol and ammonia. | Structural integrityWe support owners from the design stage in addressing hull girder strength and fatigue issues related to hydroelasticity. Large box ship owners benefit from our WHISP additional service features, based on our expertise in whipping and springing calculations and supported by our industry-leading software tools. | CybersecurityCybersecurity is essential to safety management in container shipping operations, as cyberattacks are on the rise. We leverage our expertise across the maritime industry to offer best-in-class cybersecurity services for container ships. |
DIGITALIZING YOUR CONTAINERSHIP FLEET
Digital tools are already widespread in container shipping, from intelligent data to real-time, connected equipment. Bureau Veritas offers a suite of digital solutions and tools to optimize a container ship’s energy balance, voyage routing and cyber protection.
Our Cyber Health Assessment Report Tool (CHART) helps shipowners and managers implement customized, effective cyber risk management strategies. MOVE, our digital fleet management platform, provides live survey status, document management, condition alerts and CII tracking. Augmented Surveyor 3D uses AI and high-tech drones to make the inspection process for container vessels safer and more efficient. And with our SMART notations, we help clients navigate ship connectivity, including fully autonomous vessels.
EXPERTS IN ASIA
Our teams are on the ground at the center of the shipbuilding industry in East Asia. With a presence in China, South Korea, Japan and Singapore, Bureau Veritas partners with shipyards, charterers and shipowners to support both newbuilds and ships in service.
We work hand-in-hand with shipyards to smooth the design review and building process. Our Rules and notations support shipyards seeking to lead the way on innovative vessel designs, while guarding flexibility to adapt to future marine fuel and other technological evolution. Our Future Shipping Team members in China and across East Asia help shipyards test and future-proof new hull designs, alternative fuels, wind propulsion and electrification technologies.
DID YOU KNOW?
Bureau Veritas is the #1 certifier for containers.
We help shipping companies, container-leasing companies and container manufacturers operate successfully in this highly standardized environment. In addition, we are the only certification body providing Approval Continuous Examination Program (ACEP) globally. We also offer periodic inspections according to International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) regulations, on and off-hire inspections, cleanliness verification and more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is just-in-time arrival?
A “just-in-time arrival” system is one where a ship optimizes its speed during the voyage to minimize port wait times. This can decrease fuel consumption and energy demand, cutting emissions through both slower speeds and decreased idling at port.
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Why does hull strength for container ships matter?
Hull-shaft misalignment can significantly impact a container ship’s long-term performance. Ultra-large container ships face increased pressure on the hull, which can lead to fatigue cracking and hull girder bending.
Bureau Veritas is a leader in hull calculations, supporting advanced containership design. We evaluate container ships’ hull and shaft alignment to optimize loading and discharge conditions.
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What international regulations currently impact container ships?
The main regulations impacting container shipping come from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) or the EU.
At IMO level, the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) have been in force since 2013. These measures require newbuild ships to adhere to stricter greenhouse gas rules.
In the EU, FuelEU Maritime brings in requirements on the use of renewable, low-carbon fuels and clean energy technologies in the shipping sector.
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How does Bureau Veritas support vessel surveys and inspections?
We carry out class and statutory surveys, including both annual and special surveys. We provide condition assessment reports for vessels that need them around the world.
Our experts can also help clients navigate CII & EEXI/EEDI compliance and port state inspections.
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What technical services does Bureau Veritas provide for newbuilds and container ships in service?
Our technical services for containerships are tailored to each client’s specific project needs and requirements. From newbuilds to vessels in service, our global team of technical advisors draws on extensive expertise across ship design, construction, and operation to help ensure that every containership is safe, compliant, and efficient.
The breadth and flexibility of our service portfolio enable us to support shipyards, owners, and operators at every stage of the vessel lifecycle. Whether clients require structural reviews, dual-fuel propulsion expertise, or vibration analysis, we provide specialized technical advisory services to help them address complex engineering and operational challenges.
RECENT NEWS AND INSIGHTS
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Bureau Veritas launch JDP for real-time onboard guidance system to prevent excessive rolling for container ships | Read More |
HD Hyundai Samho receives Bureau Veritas Approval in Principle for innovative container ship bow windshield design | Read More |
Bureau Veritas-classed CMA CGM MONTE CRISTO, a 15,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship | Read More |
Bureau Veritas classes its first methanol dual-fueled container ship as CMA CGM ANTIGONE delivered by CSSC Jiangnan Shipyard | REad more |
