TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit)
TEU is a standard measurement used in the shipping industry to describe cargo capacity. Think of it as measuring cargo ships and ports using a basic building block - one 20-foot shipping container. For example, when someone says a ship can carry 10,000 TEUs, they mean it can hold 10,000 standard 20-foot containers. This measurement helps shipping companies, ports, and logistics professionals easily understand and compare vessel sizes and port capabilities. It's similar to how we might use square feet to measure building space - it gives everyone in the industry a common way to talk about capacity.
Examples in Resumes
Managed vessel operations handling 5,000 TEU capacity ships
Increased port efficiency resulting in 20% more Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit throughput
Coordinated logistics for fleet with combined capacity of 15,000 TEUs
Typical job title: "Maritime Operations Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Maritime Operations Managers
Professional Organizations
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where a 8,000 TEU vessel needs to be accommodated but your port typically handles 5,000 TEU vessels?
Expected Answer: A senior manager should discuss capacity planning, resource allocation, berth management, equipment requirements, and coordination with various stakeholders to safely handle larger vessels.
Q: What factors do you consider when planning TEU capacity optimization for a port?
Expected Answer: Should explain considerations like berthing space, crane capacity, yard space, labor requirements, vessel schedules, and peak season planning.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you calculate required yard space based on TEU capacity?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic space requirements for container stacking, considering factors like container dwell time, stack height limits, and space for container movement.
Q: Explain how you would manage a mix of 20-foot and 40-foot containers in terminal operations.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of how TEUs relate to different container sizes and impact on space planning and vessel loading.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a TEU and why is it important in shipping?
Expected Answer: Should explain that TEU is a standard unit based on 20-foot containers and its use in measuring vessel and port capacity.
Q: How many TEUs are in a 40-foot container?
Expected Answer: Should know that a 40-foot container equals 2 TEUs and understand this basic conversion for capacity calculations.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of container types and sizes
- Simple TEU calculations
- Container terminal operations basics
- Understanding of shipping documentation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Terminal capacity planning
- Vessel stowage planning
- Resource allocation
- Performance monitoring and reporting
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic capacity planning
- Port expansion projects
- Optimization of terminal operations
- Stakeholder management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic container sizes and TEU calculations
- Lack of experience with terminal operations software
- Poor knowledge of safety regulations in container handling
- No experience with vessel planning or capacity management
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