How to Draw a Cargo Ship (Easy Step by Step)
A cargo ship is a fun drawing because it is built almost entirely from rectangles. You will also use a curved bowl shape for the hull, three small rings for portholes, and a wavy line for the sea. Stack the boxes up, add a puffy cloud of smoke, and it looks ready to sail.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a cargo ship step by step
How to Draw a Cargo Ship · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The ship's hull
Draw a long, flat line across the page for the top of the ship. Then curve two lines down from each end and join them with a shorter flat line at the bottom, like a big bowl.
Step 2: Portholes and divider lines
Draw three small circles in a row across the middle of the hull, each with a tiny circle inside to make a ring. Then draw five short straight lines standing up from the top edge of the hull, with the two middle-ish ones a bit taller.
Step 3: The cabin tower
Stand a tall rectangle on the left end of the deck. It starts at the top line of the hull and goes straight up.
Step 4: The cabin window
Draw a small rounded rectangle near the top of the tower to make a window.
Step 5: The bottom containers
Next to the tower, draw a wide flat line across the top of the short lines. Add a side line at each end that goes down to the deck, so the lines make four boxes.
Step 6: The top containers
Draw a shorter flat line above the first row, with a side line at each end going down to meet it. The tall lines you drew earlier now split it into three boxes.
Step 7: Funnel and smoke
Draw a tall thin rectangle on top of the cabin tower for the funnel. Above it, draw a bumpy cloud shape for the puffy smoke.
Step 8: The ocean waves
Under the ship, draw a long wavy line that goes up and down like a snake. Add a shorter wavy line below it.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your cargo ship? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a rocket or how to draw a shooting star next.
Tips for drawing a cargo ship
- Draw the hull first and make the top line long and straight. Everything else sits on it, so it helps to get it flat.
- Make the two rows of containers different sizes. The top row should be a little narrower than the bottom row so it looks like a stack.
- For the waves, draw slow, rounded hills and valleys. Keep your hand moving and try not to stop in the middle.
Free cargo ship coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this cargo ship coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your cargo ship drawing
Color each container a different bright color, like red, blue, yellow, and green, with a dark blue hull. For a creative twist, draw a seagull or a whale peeking out of the waves.
Cargo ship fun fact for kids
The big metal boxes on a cargo ship are called shipping containers, and one large ship can carry thousands of them at once.
Questions about drawing a cargo ship
What shapes do I need to draw a cargo ship?
You need rectangles for the containers, cabin, and funnel, small rings for the portholes, and a curved bowl shape for the hull. The waves and smoke are just wavy and bumpy lines.
How do I make the containers look stacked?
Draw one wide row of boxes on the deck, then a slightly narrower row on top. The straight lines that stand up from the deck split each row into separate boxes.
How can I make my cargo ship look like it is floating?
Draw wavy lines under the hull so the ship seems to sit on top of the water. A puff of smoke from the funnel also makes it look like it is moving.
