In recent years, mega ships are becoming a trend. Increases in size, length, and capacity are now very common. Today, some of the largest ships in the world come in the form of oil tankers, cargo carriers, and cruise ships. These ships are considered engineering milestones and help transport the world’s trade. Let’s take a look at what these ships are.
Ships come in various sizes, aimed for different tasks. For example, some naval vessels require large diesel engines for efficient long-distance container transport, while in order to transport more goods, containerships are becoming bigger and bigger. However, no matter the method of propulsion, or the capacity need, the engineering behind these machines is spectacular.
Now it’s time to take a look at some of the largest ships in existence.
1. World’s largest containership: HMM Algeciras
HMM Algeciras is the world’s largest containership with 24000 TEU capacity. The Panama flagged vessel is 399.9 m long with 33.2 m depth. The ship has been constructed by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.
It is one of the twelve 24000 TEU Class vessels eco-friendly container vessels that HMM plans, in order to enhance its environmental footprint.
2. HMM Oslo
HMM Oslo is the sister ship of HMM Algeciras. Constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries, HMM Oslo along with its sister ships made their maiden voyage in the year 2020.
The Panama Flagged Vessel is 400 meters long and 61.50 meters wide with a maximum draft of 16.50m.
HMM Oslo has carrying capacity of 23,792 TEU, only 172 TEU less than HMM Algeciras.
3. Symphony Of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas is currently the world’s largest cruise ship. The cruise ship has 228,081 gross registered tons, measures 238 feet tall and spans 1,188 feet long.
It is considered as a family vacation destination as it offers laser tag adventure, the tallest slide at sea and waterslides.
4. Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, is the world’s second-biggest cruise ship. The third vessel in the series, was delivered in May 2016, and offers seven-night western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia. The ship made its maiden voyage in June last year.
5. TI Class supertankers
Some of the largest oil tankers still in operation are the TI Class supertankers. The Tankers International L.L.C’s fleet consists of the TI Africa, TI Asia, TI Europe, and TI Oceania.
The TI range is 78 m (256 ft), with a tonnage of 234,006 GT (162,477 NT) and an ability to cruise at 16.5 knots (30.5 km/h; 18.9 mph) fully loaded.
6. Q-Max ships
The world’s largest membrane-type LNG carriers are the Q-Max ships. They have a gross tonnage of 162,400 GT and span 1,132 ft (345 mt) in length. The Q-max ships have a capacity of 9,393,701 cubic feet (266,000 cubic meters) and travel at 19.5 knots (36.114 km/h; 22.4 mph).
There are fourteen Q-Max ships in circulation:
- Al Mayeda;
- Al Mafyar;
- Umm Slal;
- Bu Samra;
- Al-Ghuwairiya;
- Lijmiliya;
- Al Samriya;
- Al Dafna;
- Mozah;
- Mekaines;
- Shagra;
- Zarga;
- Aamira;
- Rasheeda.
7. The Planet Solar
The team at PlanetSolar has developed a 100 ft (31 mt) long, 50 ft (15 mt) wide craft that is able to capture nearly 103.4 kW of solar energy to power its 20 kW engine. The boat can cruise at an average speed of around 8 knots (15 kph or 9 mph).
The 60-tonne catamaran cost 18 million euros ($24.4 million) to build and is the largest solar-powered boat in the world. The boat was successfully launched in 2010, after 14 months of construction.
8. The Knock Nevis
One of the longest and heaviest ships ever built was an oil tanker known as the Knock Nevis. The Knock Nevis was a ULCC supertanker that was eventually featuring 1,504 ft (458.45 mt) with a gross tonnage of 260,941 GT.
The 35-crew ship had a cruising speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) and was propelled by a single propeller, 30 ft (9 mt) in diameter.
In 1988 the ship was severely damaged and sunk in the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran-Iraq war, but was recovered and repaired, and later returned to active service under the name Happy Giant.
9. The USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise was the longest navy vessel ever built. It was a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and the only ship of the Enterprise-class of aircraft carriers
This ship has quite a history and up to this day remains an engineering wonder. The USS Enterprise spanned 1,122 ft (342 mt) in length, was designed to carry 4,600 military personnel, and cruise at 33.6 knots (38.7 mph; 62.2 km/h).
The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was decommissioned in 2017 after more than 55 years of consecutive service.
