Biggest Ships in the World

The world’s biggest ships are marvels of engineering, towering over the water and showcasing extraordinary dimensions, cutting-edge design, and impressive capabilities. Here’s a detailed look at the largest ships ever built, listed in descending order of their size, complete with their dimensions, architects, budgets, owners, routes, purposes, and amenities.

1. Seawise Giant

The Seawise Giant, otherwise known as Oppama, Happy Giant, Jahre Viking, Knock Nevis, and Mont, was the largest ship to have ever been build. Its dimensions are 1,504ft (458.45m) in length and 226ft (68.8m) in width. Seawise Giant was constructed in 1979 by Sumitomo Heavy Industries. It was scrapped for parts in 2010.

2. Batillus Class

The Batillus Class supertankers were in service from 1976 to 2003. They are approximately 1,359ft (414m) in length and 211ft (64m) in width. Bautillus Class was designed by the shipyard, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

3. Esso Atlantic/Esso Pacific

The two ships in the Esso Atlantic class — Esso Atlantic and Esso Pacific were built in 1977 by Hitachi Zosen Corporation Ariake. They measure approximately 1,334ft (407m) in length and 163ft (49.7m) in width. Both Esso Atlantic and Esso Pacific were scrapped in 2002.

4. Mol Triumph Class

The Mol Triumph class was built by Samsung Heavy Industries in 2017. They measure 1,312ft (400m) in length and 197ft (60m) in width.

5. Pioneering Spirit

The Pioneering Spirit or Pieter Schelte has the dimensions of 1,253ft (381m) in length and 407ft (124m) in width. It was launched in 2013 by the Swiss conglomerate, Allseas Group.

6. Oasis Class

The Oasis Class is a group of 7 Royal Caribbean Internation (RCI) cruise ships. The first cruise ship was launched in 2009. The ship is approximately 1,187ft (362m) in length and  208ft (63.7m) in width. Oasis Class was built by STX Finland Turku Shipyard and Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

7. Valemax

Valemax ships are ore carriers measuring 1,181ft (360m) in length and 207ft (63m) in width. It is owned and operated by Vale SA, a Brazilian mining company.  Valemax ships were designed by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. It has been in service since 2011.

8. Quantum Class

RCI also operates the Quantum Class cruise ships. These ships are 1,141ft (348 m) in length and 136ft (41.4m) in width. It was designed by the architectural firm, Meyer Werft. Quantum Class took its first sail in 2014.

9. Queen Mary 2

The RMS Queen Mary 2 is 1,132ft (345m) in length and 131ft (40m) in width. It was designed by the naval architect Stephen Payne. Queen Mary 2 was launched in 2003 and has been owned by Cunard Line.

10. Berge Stahl

The MS Berge Stahl measured 1,123ft (342m) in length and 188ft (57.5m) in width. The ship was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in 1986. The Berge Stahl was scrapped in July 2021.

These colossal ships represent the pinnacle of maritime engineering, each serving specific purposes with unique design features and amenities. From luxury cruise liners like the Queen Mary 2 to massive cargo carriers like the Seawise Giant, they showcase human ingenuity and the ability to master the vastness of the oceans.

Image Courtesy – International Chamber of Shipping

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