What are TEU and FEU? Application and main differences

The terms TEU and FEU are commonly used in international logistics in the context of container transport. These are basic conversion units used for transport planning, cargo comparison and operational cost optimisation. Their use is essential in the daily work of companies in the TSL sector.

In this article, we explain exactly what TEU and FEU are, how they differ from each other and how they are used in modern container logistics.

TEU and FEU as units of load capacity in container transport

TEU and FEU units play a key role in container transport planning. They are universal references that organise the management of cargo on an international scale.

The measurement system used in container logistics must be uniform and recognisable worldwide. It is for this purpose that an internationally standardised method of determining cargo capacity using TEU and FEU units has been adopted. A TEU unit corresponds to a 20-foot container, while an FEU unit corresponds to a 40-foot container.

This simplified conversion factor makes it possible, among other things, to efficiently determine the capacity of container ships, plan the allocation of units at port terminals and precisely manage the total weight of cargo in international container transport. It also facilitates the efficient comparison of cargo volumes, the prediction of infrastructure capacity and the calculation of operating costs at every stage of the supply chain.

In the rest of this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between TEU and FEU and why their use is so important in everyday logistics operations.

Read also: What are the types of containers in maritime transport? >>>

TEU vs. FEU – characteristics and differences

Although TEU and FEU belong to the same conversion system, they differ in the size of the containers to which they refer. This is particularly important when planning loads, analysing costs and organising cargo space.

TEU unit

TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) is a standardised conversion unit that corresponds to a 20-foot container. In container transport, it is the basic reference point for determining the scale of loading, terminal throughput and the pricing of transport services. The TEU unit is now widely used in maritime and intermodal transport as an international industry standard.

A typical 20-foot container can hold approximately 11 Euro pallets. Depending on the specific nature of the goods being transported, its maximum total weight (cargo + container) is usually approximately 30 tonnes, and its maximum load capacity is approximately 28 tonnes. Due to their compact dimensions and relatively high load capacity, 20-foot containers are often used for transporting heavy but low-volume goods.

20-foot container (20′) – external dimensions

Twenty-foot container (20′) – internal dimensions

FEU unit

FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit) is a standardised conversion unit that corresponds to a 40-foot container. In practice, 1 FEU is assumed to be equivalent to 2 TEU, which simplifies the conversion of cargo volumes and the determination of transport scale.

A 40-foot container, to which the FEU unit refers, has a larger capacity than a 20-foot container – it usually holds 25 EURO pallets. Its maximum total weight is approx. 32 tonnes, and its maximum load capacity is approx. 28 tonnes. Due to their larger volume and the possibility of consolidating goods, containers of this type are particularly often used in international transport, especially for light but bulky cargo.

In practice, a 40-foot container is often a more economical choice when considering unit transport costs over longer distances and optimising cargo space. Fewer containers means fewer transhipments, lower port charges and simplified logistics.

Forty-foot container (40′) – external dimensions

Kontener czterdziestostopowy (40′) – wymiary wewnętrzne

Common mistakes in the use of TEU and FEU

The terms FEU and TEU are often mistakenly used – especially in colloquial industry language – as names for 20′ and 40′ containers. However, they are conversion units, not categories of TEU containers and FEU containers. This knowledge may be important when preparing transport documentation, commercial offers or logistics reports.

It is also worth noting the frequent mistakes in the naming of TEU and FEU that can be found on the internet. A TEU unit is literally a Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, not a Twenty-feet Equivalent Unit, while a FEU is a Forty-foot Equivalent Unit, not a Forty-feet Equivalent Unit.

The use of TEU and FEU units in transport

Modern container logistics is based on precise planning of space, costs and operational capabilities. TEU and FEU units play a key role in this system. Their use forms the basis of the entire international container transport infrastructure – from the loading planning stage to the analysis of transport profitability.

#1 Describing the capacity of container ships and terminals

The capacity of container ships is described in TEU – the largest units can transport over 24,000 TEU, i.e. 24,000 twenty-foot containers, 12,000 forty-foot containers or any combination thereof. TEU is also used to determine the throughput capacity of container terminals. This allows carriers and terminal operators to plan the placement of containers on board and in transhipment ports in a standardised manner. It also facilitates the analysis of the operational capabilities of a given vessel or terminal and supports efficient logistics infrastructure management.

#2 Cargo logistics and cost planning

TEUs and FEUs form the basis for the pricing of transport services and are commonly used in freight calculations. In practice, TEU serves as the basic unit used to determine the size of a load, regardless of the type of container in which the goods are transported. This allows for a quick assessment of how much space is needed for a given shipment and what its share in the overall transport costs will be.

#3 Optimisation of space in the supply chain

The standardisation of TEU and FEU units enables precise planning of the use of available space – both on ships and in transhipment terminals or on semi-trailers and railway wagons. This allows logistics operators to maximise loading, reducing empty space and minimising the number of unnecessary transports.

As a result, these units support efficient capacity management and allow for better matching of container types to actual transport needs throughout the supply chain – from the port, through road and rail, to the distribution centre.

As you can see, the use of TEU and FEU units goes far beyond purely theoretical concepts – they are the foundation of modern container transport, facilitating all the most important stages of the logistics process.

Summary

TEU and FEU are two basic concepts without which it is difficult to imagine the functioning of modern container transport. Although, at first glance, they are only a simplified conversion system, their importance in transport planning, cost estimation and cargo space management is enormous.

A TEU unit corresponds to a 20-foot container, while an FEU unit corresponds to a 40-foot container. Thanks to these standards, it is possible to take a unified approach to determining container capacity, managing cargo in ports and terminals, and optimising operations throughout the supply chain.

In practice, TEU and FEU units are not only a standard, but also a tool that supports operational efficiency and helps companies in the TSL industry make the right logistics decisions.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How many TEU does a 40′ container have?

A 40-foot (40′) container has a TEU capacity of 2. This is equivalent to 1 FEU.

How many tonnes is 1 TEU?

A typical 20-foot container (equivalent to 1 TEU) can carry goods with a gross weight of up to approximately 28 tonnes, depending on the technical specifications of the container and transport restrictions.

How much is 1 TEU? How much is 2 TEU?

1 TEU is a unit of measurement in container transport equivalent to the volume of a 20-foot container. In turn, 2 TEU is equivalent to 1 FEU and can correspond to two 20-foot containers or one 40-foot container.

How many TEU are in a FEU?

One FEU unit corresponds to two TEU units, i.e. 1 FEU = 2 TEU.