The shipping industry has come a long way since the days of the simple wooden boat. Today, we have massive ships that can transport tons of cargo across the world’s oceans. These ships are feats of engineering, and their size is truly awe-inspiring. In this article, we’ll take a look at the most biggest ships in the world, listed by number.
- Prelude FLNG
The Prelude FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas) is the largest ship in the world, measuring 1,601 feet long and 243 feet wide. This massive vessel was built by Shell, and it’s used to extract, process, and store natural gas from offshore fields. It’s capable of producing 3.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year.
- Pioneering Spirit
The Pioneering Spirit is the world’s largest pipelaying vessel, measuring 1,253 feet long and 407 feet wide. It was designed by Allseas Group, and it’s capable of laying pipelines in depths of up to 8,202 feet. This ship is also equipped with a lifting system that can remove entire oil platforms from the seabed.
- Seawise Giant
The Seawise Giant, formerly known as the Jahre Viking, was the largest ship in the world until it was destroyed in the Iran-Iraq War in 1988. This massive vessel measured 1,504 feet long and 226 feet wide. It was an oil tanker that could carry up to 564,763 tonnes of crude oil.
- Emma Maersk
The Emma Maersk is the largest container ship in the world, measuring 1,302 feet long and 184 feet wide. It was built by the Danish company Maersk Line, and it’s capable of carrying up to 15,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This ship is powered by the world’s largest diesel engine, which weighs 2,300 tonnes.
- Knock Nevis
The Knock Nevis, formerly known as the Seawise Giant, was the largest ship in the world before it was scrapped in 2010. This massive vessel measured 1,503 feet long and 225 feet wide. It was also an oil tanker that could carry up to 647,955 tonnes of crude oil.
- Prelude FLNG (Proposed)
A second Prelude FLNG is currently under construction by Shell, which will be even larger than the first. This new vessel will measure 1,743 feet long and 278 feet wide, making it the largest ship in the world once it’s completed. It will be capable of producing 5.3 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year.
- Barzan
The Barzan is one of the largest container ships in the world, measuring 1,312 feet long and 197 feet wide. It was built by the South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries, and it’s capable of carrying up to 18,800 TEUs. This ship is also equipped with an exhaust gas cleaning system that reduces emissions.
- CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery
The CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery is another massive container ship, measuring 1,299 feet long and 177 feet wide. It was built by the Chinese company Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, and it’s capable of carrying up to 20,776 TEUs. This ship is also equipped with a hybrid scrubber system that reduces emissions.
The shipping industry continues to push the limits of what’s possible with these massive vessels. From natural gas extraction to container shipping, these ships are vital to global trade and commerce. As technology advances and the demand for larger and more efficient ships increases, it’s likely that we’ll continue to see even bigger ships in the future.
However, it’s important to remember that these massive ships also have a significant impact on the environment. They contribute to air and water pollution, and their size can make them difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or during emergencies. As such, there is a growing movement towards developing more sustainable and environmentally-friendly shipping practices, such as using renewable energy sources or optimizing shipping routes to reduce fuel consumption.
In any case, the most biggest ships in the world are a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess. These massive vessels continue to inspire awe and wonder, and they play an important role in connecting people and goods across the globe.
Photo by Alonso Reyes on Unsplash
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