Definitions #
A small container ship that carries cargo between a major hub port and smaller regional ports in the same area, feeding containers to or from large mainline vessels.
Technical In liner shipping, a short-sea vessel offering transshipment services between a deep-water hub and peripheral ports, often accommodating 1,000–2,999 TEUs, loaded or discharged via the mainline vessel.
Example The mainline vessel from Shanghai transshipped to a feeder vessel bound for Ho Chi Minh City.
Etymology #
Feeder from the verb to feed, as in supplying cargo to the main line, + vessel, a ship.
Collocations #
- feeder service 支线航运服务（吨位或区域）
- feeder port 支线港（由干线服务连接）
- feeder connection 支线衔接/转运
Real Business Examples #
- Due to berth congestion, the mother vessel skipped the direct port and its containers were rerouted via feeder vessel to avoid delay.
- The feeder vessel departed the hub port with 1,200 TEUs of import containers for the regional terminals.
Register & Variants #
- Register: neutral
- BrE/AmE: 全球通用
Synonyms & Antonyms #
- Synonyms: feeder ship, feeder
- Antonyms: mother vessel, mainline vessel
Common Errors #
- Calling a feeder vessel a 'barge' in any sea context A barge is usually non-self-propelled inland, while a feeder is a self-propelled sea-going ship, even if small.
Confusable Terms #
- barge vs Feeder Vessel
- A barge is flat-bottomed, often without its own engine, used inland on rivers/canals; a feeder vessel is an oceangoing ship with propulsion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a typical feeder vessel??
Commonly between 1,000 and 2,500 TEU, but some feeders reach 3,500 TEU in certain regions.
Who operates feeder vessels??
Usually separate feeder operators or the major liner carriers with regional alliances; ports may also run shuttles under contract.
Published: 2026-09-26 Category: Shipping