Feeder and small container ships are the workhorses of regional trade — moving boxes between hub ports and the smaller terminals deep-sea liners can’t reach. Golden Shipyard carries a range of container ships for sale, both in-stock and newbuilding, from small feeders up to wide-beam sub-Panamax tonnage. This page is your starting point: the sizes available, what each suits, and how to view them.
Container ships for sale — by size
Our current range spans roughly 816 to 4,500 TEU, across geared feeders and wide-beam sub-Panamax vessels:
| Size band | Indicative TEU | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| Small feeder | ~800–1,100 TEU | Coastal and short regional loops, shallow secondary ports |
| Feeder | ~1,200–1,500 TEU | Regional hub-feeding networks; the intra-Asia workhorse |
| Feedermax | ~2,000–2,700 TEU | Longer regional and short-sea trades |
| Sub-Panamax / wide-beam | ~4,000–4,500 TEU | Mainline-adjacent and growing-volume trades |
See the full, up-to-date list on our container ships for sale page — availability and particulars change as ships are sold and added.
In stock vs. newbuilding
The range includes both:
- In-stock (available for inspection now) — completed vessels you can inspect and take relatively quickly, such as small feeders around 816 TEU and feeders around 1,200–1,400 TEU.
- Newbuilding (available to order) — vessels under construction or available to build, including feedermax around 2,700 TEU and wide-beam sub-Panamax around 4,200–4,500 TEU, built to CCS and IACS class.
For the trade-offs between buying now and ordering new, see container ship sizes explained and our feeder container ship buyer’s guide.
What to look for in a feeder container ship
When you compare container ships for sale, the value drivers are:
- TEU capacity — nominal and homogeneous — the headline and the realistic intake at your cargo weight.
- Geared vs. gearless — geared feeders can self-load at ports without shore gantries; essential for developing-port trades.
- Reefer plugs — how many refrigerated boxes the ship can carry, opening premium cargo.
- Wide-beam design — newer sub-Panamax ships carry more and are more stable at a given length.
- Class, age, and efficiency — CCS/IACS class, build year, and EEXI/CII standing all drive tradability and value.
How much does a container ship cost?
Every container ship for sale here is offered on the same basis: full particulars to qualified buyers, price on application.
Container ship prices move with the size, age, specification, and the freight market, so vessels are offered on a P.O.A. (price on application) basis. Full particulars — including indicative pricing — are released to qualified buyers under an NDA. Tell us the size band and trade you have in mind and we’ll match you to what’s available and its terms.
How to view and buy
1. Browse the container ships for sale list and shortlist by TEU and in-stock/newbuilding. 2. Request full particulars under NDA — specification, class, and (for in-stock) inspection. 3. Inspect — arrange a pre-purchase condition survey for a secondhand ship, or site supervision for a newbuilding. 4. Close through a standard MOA with our brokerage support.
Quick buying checklist
- ☐ TEU band matched to your trade (feeder / feedermax / sub-Panamax)
- ☐ In-stock (inspect now) vs. newbuilding (order) decided
- ☐ Geared vs. gearless suited to your ports
- ☐ Reefer plug count adequate for your cargo
- ☐ Class (CCS/IACS), age, and EEXI/CII reviewed
- ☐ Full particulars requested under NDA
- ☐ Inspection / condition survey arranged
- ☐ Draft and dimensions suit your berths and canals
Frequently asked questions
What container ships do you have for sale? Golden Shipyard offers feeder and small container ships for sale from around 816 to 4,500 TEU — including in-stock small feeders and feeders and newbuilding feedermax and wide-beam sub-Panamax vessels, built to CCS and IACS class. See the current list on our container ships for sale page, as availability changes.
How much does a 1000 TEU container ship (or other feeder) cost? Prices depend on the exact size, age, specification, and the market, so ships are offered P.O.A. (price on application). Indicative pricing and full particulars are shared with qualified buyers under an NDA — contact us with your target size and trade for current terms.
Are the container ships in stock or newbuildings? Both. Some are completed and available for inspection now (for example small feeders around 816 TEU and feeders around 1,200–1,400 TEU); others are newbuildings available to order, including feedermax and wide-beam sub-Panamax tonnage.
What is a feeder container ship? A feeder is a smaller container ship — roughly 1,000–2,000 TEU, with sub-1,000 “small feeders” below — that carries boxes between smaller regional ports and the large hub ports served by deep-sea mainline vessels. Feeders are usually geared to work cargo without shore gantries.
How do I inspect a ship before buying? Request full particulars under NDA, then arrange an independent pre-purchase condition survey for a secondhand vessel or site supervision for a newbuilding. We coordinate viewing, survey, and closing.
Looking for a container ship? Golden Shipyard has feeder and small container ships for sale from around 816 to 4,500 TEU, in-stock and newbuilding. Browse current availability on our container ships for sale page, or email [email protected] with your target size and trade to receive full particulars under NDA.