Cargo ships operate within a broad speed range that depends on various factors such as demand, environmental concerns, and fuel consumption. On average, cargo ships typically travel between 12 to 25 knots (14 to 29 mph).
During times of high demand, like the COVID-19 pandemic, ships increased their speed by about 4%, reaching up to 16.5 knots on average. However, as market conditions changed and fuel prices rose, many companies adopted "slow steaming" or "super-slow steaming," reducing speeds to around 12-13.8 knots.
This practice is increasingly common to cut fuel consumption by up to 40% per nautical mile and lower emissions, aligning with new environmental regulations.
