In November 2012 , the UK-registered Marco Polo officially became the world ’ s largest container vessel . It is an Explorer-class vessel owned by CMA CGM . Its reign as the largest container ship was cut short just three months after its launch by the Maersk Triple E ( EEE ), which comes fourth on this list . With its single shaft , fixed-pitch propulsion , it is capable of traveling at 25.1 knots : a speed that its heavier successors can no longer achieve due to their extreme size and carrying capacity . The vessel has a tonnage of 175,343 and 18,270 TEU . It is operated by a crew of 27 .