Schiffsgrößen

Schiffsgrößen, also known as ship sizes, refers to the classification and measurement of vessels based on various parameters. The primary metrics used for ship sizing are length, beam (width), draft (depth below waterline), and deadweight tonnage (DWT), which is the carrying capacity of the ship in tons. Gross tonnage (GT) is another important measure, representing the ship's internal volume.

Ships are categorized into different classes based on their dimensions and DWT. For example, bulk carriers are often classified by the Panamax size, which refers to the largest ship that can transit the Panama Canal. Larger vessels include Capesize carriers, which are too big for the Panama Canal and must navigate around the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn. Container ships are also categorized by TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity, with vessels ranging from feeder ships to Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs).

The size of a ship has significant implications for its operational capabilities, cargo capacity, and the ports it can access. Larger ships generally offer economies of scale, meaning they can transport more cargo at a lower cost per unit. However, they require deeper harbors and specialized port infrastructure for loading and unloading. The evolution of shipbuilding technology has led to progressively larger vessels, particularly in the container and bulk carrier sectors, driven by global trade demands and the pursuit of efficiency. Different ship types, such as tankers, cruise ships, and ferries, have their own size classifications and considerations.