
The reason for the relative slowness of all water transport lies in the resistance of water: it not only keeps the ship afloat but also slows it down. The speed of a cargo ship during the voyage also depends on wind direction and speed, currents, the condition of the sea and high waves, the trim of the ship, and whether the vessel is in ballast or loaded. The average speed of most cargo ships is from 12 to 20 knots ( 22-37 km/h) which is defined by ship design and the main propulsion of the ship. It determines the ship’s ability to take effective maneuvers to avoid a collision or stopping ability, the time required for the ship to perform its voyage, and ETA to a waypoint, or to the port of destination. The speed of a ship is measured in knots and is an important factor in both the safety of navigation and efficient maritime trading. We’ll give you a glimpse into the variety of cargo ships and help you get a better overview of world fleet capabilities and compare ship types by means of speed. If you’ve ever wondered what is the speed of a cargo ship, why it is so low, and if it is reasonable to build a faster ship, then keep reading. On the other hand, ships move around 90% of the world’s cargo trade, use direct sea routes and are underway 24 hours a day, and are the most cost-effective transport to move the cargo. However, the average speed of a cargo ship is much lower and that is why they are often considered slow transport. What is the average speed of different types of cargo ships?
