Largest Ship in the World, List of Top-10

In the vast expanse of the world’s oceans, technological marvels known as ships traverse the waters, transporting goods and people across continents. As we step into 2024, these colossal vessels have reached unprecedented sizes and capacities. This article explores the top 10 largest ships in the world, showcasing the engineering feats and maritime innovations that define the maritime landscape.

World’s Biggest Ship 2024

As of 2024, the Seawise Giant stands as the largest ship in the world, holding records for length, displacement, and deadweight tonnage. Originally commissioned in 1979 as the Happy Giant oil tanker with a length of 458 meters, it gained worldwide recognition following an extensive jumboization process in 1988-1989, significantly expanding its dimensions. Today, the Seawise Giant remains an unparalleled maritime giant, symbolizing the extraordinary feats of engineering in the world of seafaring vessels.

Key Facts About Seawise Giant, the World’s Largest Ship

Here are some of the key points related to the Seawise Giant, the largest ship of the world:

• The Seawise Giant, world’s largest ship in 2024, underwent jumboization by cutting it in half and inserting a 5-meter block amidships.
• This process expanded its length to an astonishing 458.45 meters, making it the longest moving man-made object in history.
• As a very large crude carrier (VLCC), it boasted a record deadweight tonnage of 564,763 metric tons, capable of transporting over 4.5 million barrels of oil in a single voyage.
• The colossal ship required a crew of over 60 personnel for safe operation.
• Despite its remarkable career spanning three decades, the Seawise Giant was sold for scrap in 2009 due to escalating operational costs.

Largest Ship of the World – Historical Significance

Originally ordered in 1974 as an unnamed Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC) with a 418,611-ton capacity, the Seawise Giant faced delays in naming due to disputes between the Greek owner and Japanese builder. Hong Kong businessman C.Y. Tung acquired it, leading to its transformation into the largest ship globally through jumboization, adding 146,000 tons. Renamed Seawise Giant, it began operations in 1981 as the longest and largest ship ever built, measuring 458 meters with a deadweight capacity of 564,763 tons. Damaged in the 1988 Iran-Iraq war, it underwent repairs, changed ownership multiple times, and was eventually scrapped in 2010.

Top-10 Largest Ships in the World

Seawise Giant with the total length of 458.46 meters, holds the title of the largest ship in the world, followed by Batillus class, Esso Atlantic/Esso Pacific, Valemax and Oasis class.

Here is the list of top-10 largest ships in the world:

Biggest Ship in the World – Seawise Giant

Length: 458.46

Type: Oil Tanker

Built in: 1979

The Seawise Giant, a colossal oil tanker, initially constructed in 1979 as an unnamed vessel, achieved its status as the world’s largest ship through ‘jumboization’ in 1981. This process, involving the addition of a new mid-section, propelled its overall length to an astounding 458 meters and increased its capacity to a record-breaking 564,763 deadweight tons (DWT). Notably, the Seawise Giant holds the title as the largest ship ever built, surpassing all others in overall length, deadweight tonnage, and gross tonnage.

Second Largest Ship of the World – Batillus Class

Length: 414.22

Type: Oil tanker

Built in: 1976-78

The Batillus class, comprising four oil tankers built from 1976 to 1978, stands as the second-largest ships globally. Originally designed with a capacity exceeding 550,000 deadweight tons (DWT) each, these ultra-large crude carriers were considered the largest and longest vessels at the time of construction. Their record held until the conversion of the Seawise Giant, marking a significant era in maritime history.

World’s Third Largest Ship – Esso Atlantic/Esso Pacific

Length: 406.57

Type: Oil tanker

Built in: 1977

The Esso Atlantic and Esso Pacific, twin oil tankers introduced in 1977, hold the distinction as the third-largest ships in the world. These identical sister vessels boasted a remarkable capacity exceeding 516,000 deadweight tons (DWT) each. Notably, they reigned as the longest ships afloat until the arrival of the Batillus class in the late 1970s, representing a pivotal period in maritime engineering and capacity.