10 largest ships. The largest ships in the world: list, names, photos. Knock Nevis. Giant's story
Since ancient times, for a person the ability to swim like a fish was no less desirable than the ability to fly like a bird. What the body given by nature cannot do, the machines we built helped to accomplish. From the fragile boats of antiquity, humanity has grown to create huge cities on the water. The largest of them amaze even modern people accustomed to the achievements of progress with their combination of power and beauty.
The largest ships in the world: selection criteria
To name the biggest ship, there are at least two criteria: dimensions (length and width) and displacement (essentially the volume of the underwater part of the ship).
In addition, to determine the winner in individual categories, his ability to fulfill his main task is decisive. For a passenger ship, this is the number of passengers it can take on board and the number of cabins; for a dry cargo ship or tanker, this is the weight of the cargo being transported; for a container ship, this is the number of containers.
Sailboats and steamships
Before moving on to modern record holders, let's remember their predecessors, those who plied the seas driven by the power of wind and steam.
The largest sailing ship ever launched is the French barque France II. The ship had a displacement of almost 11 tons and a length of 146 meters. For only ten years - from 1912 to 1922 - it carried out regular cargo transportation, until the sailing ship, which ran aground off the coast of New Caledonia, was abandoned by its owners. The ship was finally destroyed in 1944 during a bombing.
The greatest steamship in history is the Great Eastern, launched in 1857. Its length is 211 meters, and its displacement is 22.5 thousand tons. The ship was driven by two wheels and one propeller, but could also sail. The main purpose of the vessel is passenger transportation; the Great Eastern could take up to 4,000 people on board. Unfortunately, the age of coal and steam was not kind to such large-scale projects - the operation of Great Eastern turned out to be unprofitable and was discontinued for economic reasons.
Absolute record holder
For many years, the winner in the category “The largest ships in the world” was the tanker Knock Nevis. Built in 1976 in Japan, it has changed names many times and undergone major renovations. The champion acquired its final dimensions in 1981 (under the name Seawise Giant): 458.5 meters long, 68 meters wide with a displacement of 565 thousand tons.
A huge tanker is a piece of equipment that is not so easy to find a use for. Due to its size, the ship had a low speed, a huge stopping distance (more than 10 kilometers!), could not pass through strategic shipping straits and could only moor in a few ports around the world.
You can see a photo of the largest ship on any website dedicated to the history of shipbuilding, but this giant has recently belonged to the past, just like sailing ships and steamships. In 2010, the ship, which had not been used for six years, was cut into scrap metal.
Hard-working giants
Like the Seawise Giant, the other largest ships are also cargo ships: tankers, bulk carriers, container ships.
The longest ship currently in use (397 meters) is the container ship Emma Maersk. According to various sources, its side can be lifted from 11 to 14 thousand standard containers. Since the designers were tasked with ensuring the passage of Emma Maersk through the Suez and Panama Canals, the width and draft of the ship were designed to be quite moderate. Therefore, the displacement of such a giant is “only” 157 thousand tons.
And the largest ships in the world in terms of displacement are four Hellespont supertankers. Although the length of each of them is 17 meters less than that of the leader among container ships, the displacement is one and a half times greater - 234 thousand tons.
The ore carriers of the Brazilian company Vale are not too inferior to them. The largest of them - Vale Sohar - has a displacement of about 200 thousand tons and a length of 360 meters. The maximum cargo that this giant is able to transport is 400 thousand tons.
Cruise beauties
Although passenger ships are not as large as cargo ships, they make an indelible impression. A cruise ship is not a means of transportation, but a luxury vacation destination. The large size of the ship here serves not so much as an opportunity to accommodate as many passengers as possible on board, but rather to create all imaginable comfort that would satisfy the most demanding public.
The largest passenger ships are many times larger than the Titanic, which once seemed incredible. The pair of twin ships Allure of the Seas and Oasis in the Seas are unparalleled in size. 362 meters in length and 225 thousand tons of displacement - figures comparable to the largest cargo ships. Each of the liners can comfortably accommodate 6,400 passengers. In addition, 2,100 personnel serve on board (this is against several dozen sailors serving tankers and dry cargo ships).
Allure of the Seas or Oasis in the Seas offers shops, casinos, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, a fitness center, volleyball and basketball courts, a sauna and swimming pools. There is even a park with real trees and grass.
Sea storm
You cannot ignore the largest warships. These are now aircraft carriers. And this is understandable: no matter how hard aviation engineers work to reduce the take-off mileage of aircraft, the “winged sailors” still need a rather large path to take off from.
In the period before World War II, the most powerful naval powers built especially large warships - battleships. The largest of them is the flagship of the Japanese fleet, Yamato. 263 meters long, 40 wide, with a crew of 2,500 sailors - the battleship seemed simply invulnerable. However, the ship, launched in 1940, was sunk shortly before Japan's surrender.
The development of anti-submarine weapons has made such ships too easy a target. The ships laid down in those years were still in service (for example, the American battleships of the Iowa project), but the main focus in the post-war period was on aircraft-carrying ships.
The largest naval ship of all time was the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Its length is 342 meters, width - 78 meters. The ship carried up to 90 aircraft (planes and helicopters), which served 1,800 people. The total crew size is 3,000 sailors. After serving for more than half a century, the Enterprise was retired from service with the United States Navy in 2012. Now its place has been taken by Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, slightly inferior in size to their predecessor - the length of the largest modern aircraft-carrying ships is 333 meters.
The largest ships in Russia
Although Russian-made ships do not occupy the top positions in the ratings of the largest ships in the world, some models have no equal in their categories.
Thus, the flagship of the Russian Northern Fleet, the nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Peter the Great" is the world's largest non-aircraft-carrying combat strike ship. Dimensions of the cruiser: 251 meters - length, 28 meters - width, displacement - 28 thousand tons. Main task: countering enemy aircraft carrier formations.
There is also another record holder in service in the Russian Navy - the Akula submarine (project 941). The length of the boat is 173 meters, the underwater displacement is 48 thousand tons, the crew is 160 people. The submarine is equipped with a nuclear reactor and diesel power plants. The main weapons are intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.
Among civilian ships, we should mention the largest nuclear icebreaker "50 Let Pobedy", which left the slipway in 1993. Perhaps, knowing what the largest ships in the world are, its 160 meters in length will seem frivolous, but still in its class this ship has no equal.
Giant at the shipyard
In addition to the ships themselves, modern shipbuilders are busy developing other sea giants - floating platforms. The amazingly sized structures can be used for a variety of purposes, from mining to launching spacecraft.
Right now, at the shipyards of South Korean Samsung Heavy Industries, the Prelude floating platform is being completed, which the customer, Royal Dutch Shell, plans to use for the production, liquefaction and transportation of natural gas. In 2013, the Prelude hull was launched. Its dimensions are more impressive than the largest ships in the world can boast. A photo of the unfinished giant became available to everyone interested.
The length of the vessel is 488 meters, width - 78 meters, displacement - 600 thousand tons. It is assumed that the platform will be moved using tugs. Only the lack of its own chassis does not allow the Prelude to be called a champion among giant ships. A platform is still not a ship.
Once upon a time, ancient people built the first boats and set off to travel across the expanses of water. Since then, shipbuilding has developed significantly. Ships serve not only for travel, but also for transporting goods. Most of the top 10 largest ships in the world are cargo ships.
10 Vale Sohar
The length of this ship is 362 m. Its deadweight is 400,315 tons. The ship was launched in 2012 and is still in operation. Vale Sohar is a ship from the family of huge bulk carriers. It is designed to transport ore.
9TI Class
The length of such a ship is 380 m, and the deadweight is 441,585 tons. The first of these ships set sail in 2003. There are 4 TI Class ships in total: TI Oceania, TI Africa, TI Asia, TI Europe. All these ships have a double hull. In 2010, the ships TI Africa and TI Asia were converted into floating platforms for storing and loading oil. The remaining two representatives of the "TI Class" are still used as ships.
8 CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt
The length of this ship is 396 m. The gross carrying capacity of this vessel is 187,624 tons. The ship “CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt” is a container ship.
7 Emma Maersk
The length of this ship is 397 m. The deadweight of this vessel is 156,907 tons. A fire tried to prevent the construction of this ship, but in 2006 Emma Maersk nevertheless set off on its maiden voyage. In 2013, this ship again faced the threat of destruction. One of the ship's engines was damaged and it lost control while in the Suez Canal. The ship "Emma Maersk" did not sink, and control was restored. This vessel is still in use today and is engaged in transporting a variety of cargo through the Strait of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.
6 Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller
The length of this ship is 399 m. The carrying capacity of this vessel is 18,270 TEU. The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller is a container ship. It can reach speeds of up to 23 knots.
5 Esso Atlantic
The length of this ship was 406.5 m. The deadweight of this vessel was 516,891 tons. The Esso Atlantic ship set off on its maiden voyage in 1977. This ship was an oil supertanker and, as you might guess, was mainly engaged in transporting oil. In 2002, the Esso Atlantic ship was dismantled for scrap.
4 Pierre Guillaumat
The length of this ship was 414.2 m. The deadweight of this vessel was 555,051 tons. The speed of the Pierre Guillaumat was 16 knots. This huge ship was a supertanker. The ship "Pierre Guillaumat" first set off on a water voyage in 1977. However, this ship could not pass through either the Suez or the Panama Canal - its large size did not allow it. And not every port was capable of receiving such a huge ship. Due to these travel restrictions, the Pierre Guillaumat was broken up for scrap in 1983.
3 Batillus
This ship had a length of 414.22 m. The gross carrying capacity of this vessel was 554,000 tons. The Batillus ship could reach speeds of up to 16-17 knots. This ship was a supertanker. This ship made its last voyage in 1985.
2 Seawise Giant (Knock Nevis)
The length of this supertanker ship was 458.5 m. The deadweight of this vessel was 564,763 tons. The ship “Seawise Giant (Knock Nevis)” set off on its maiden voyage in 1979. The huge size did not allow this supertanker to fit in the Suez or Panama Canal. This ship also could not pass through the English Channel. However, this ship continued to transport oil. In 1988, the Seawise Giant (Knock Nevis) was badly damaged. The huge ship sank. However, this is not the end of the story of the big supertanker! This ship sank not far from the coast. In the end, it was repaired. In 1991, this ship again continued traveling across the waters. True, the name of the ship was already different: “Happy Giant”. Then the supertanker became a floating platform. In 2009, the Happy Giant ship was dismantled for scrap.
1 Prelude
The length of this ship is 488 m. The deadweight of this vessel is 600,000 tons. At the moment, the Prelude ship is under construction. In 2013, the completed hull of the vessel was launched. Prelude is planned to be a floating platform on which natural gas will be produced, liquefied and transported.
Some of the ships described above were dismantled for scrap, some still continue to travel across the waters of the seas or oceans, and some have not yet made their first voyage.
When it comes to big ships, the first thing that comes to mind is the Titanic. It can certainly be classified as one of the most famous ships that crashed on its first voyage. But there are other huge ships that most people have never even heard of. We invite you to get acquainted with the largest ships in the history of shipbuilding, some of them still sail the oceans, and some have long since been scrapped. The list is based on the vessel's length, gross tonnage and gross tonnage.
10. TI class supertanker
The TI class supertanker Oceania is one of the most beautiful vessels designed for oil transportation. There are four such supertankers in the world. The Oceania's gross payload capacity is 440 thousand tons, with the ability to reach speeds of up to 16-18 knots. The length of the vessel is 380 meters. 9. Berge Emperor
Berge Emperor was the largest oil tanker launched by Mitsui in 1975 and one of the largest tankers in the world. The weight of the vessel is 211360 tons. The first owner was Bergesen d.y. & Co, but then in 1985 the tanker was sold to Maastow BV, where it received a new name. He served there for only a year, and then he was sent for scrap. 8. CMA CGM Alexander von Humboldt
Named after Alexander von Humboldt, the CMA CGM is an Explorer class container ship. It was the largest container ship in the world until the Maersk Triple E class appeared. Its length is 396 meters. The gross lifting capacity is 187,624 tons. 7. Emma Maersk
In the list of the largest ships, Emma Maersk ranks second among the ships still in service. This is the first E-class container ship of eight owned by the A. P. Moller-Maersk Group. It was launched into the water in 2006. The vessel is capable of approximately 11 thousand TEUs. Its length is 397.71 meters. 6. Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller
The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller is a leading E-class container ship. It has the largest cargo capacity in the world and is also the longest vessel in 2013. Its length is 399 meters. Maximum speed - 23 knots with a load capacity of 18270 TEU. It was built for Maersk at the South Korean plant Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. 5. Esso Atlantic
Esso Atlantic is one of the most popular names in the history of large ships. The huge vessel, 406.57 meters long, has an incredible gross lifting capacity of 516,891 tons. She served 35 years primarily as an oil tanker and was scrapped in Pakistan in 2002. 4. Batillus
Batillus is a supertanker built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique for the French subsidiary of Shell Oil. Its gross lifting capacity is 554 thousand tons, speed is 16-17 knots, length is 414.22 meters. This is the fourth largest ship in the world. It made its last flight in December 1985. 3. Pierre Guillaumat
The world's third largest ship is named after the French politician, founder of the Elf Aquitaine oil company Pierre Guillaume. It was built in 1977 in Chantiers de l’Atlantique for the Nationale de Navigation company. The ship served for six years, and then it was scrapped due to incredible unprofitability. Due to its enormous size, its use was severely limited. It could not pass through either the Panama or Suez Canals. And the ship could not enter all ports. The gross load capacity was almost 555 thousand tons, speed 16 knots, length 414.22 meters. 2. Seawise Giant
The supertanker Mont was known by many names and was called the queen of oceans and rivers. The ship was built in 1979 at the Japanese shipyards of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. It was badly damaged during the Iran-Iraq War and was sunk because it was deemed beyond repair. But it was later raised and renovated, calling it Happy Giant. In December 2009 it made its last voyage. At that time it was the largest ship in the world, but it still retains the title of the largest tanker. 1. Prelude FLNG
Prelude is the largest operational vessel in the world, built in 2013 in South Korea. Its length is 488 meters, width 78 meters. It is intended for transportation of liquefied natural gas. Its construction required 260 thousand tons of steel, and when fully loaded the weight exceeds 600 thousand tons. For many centuries, in the field of military affairs, man’s desire to make the most durable, fast and powerful thing possible can be seen. Warships are no exception, as cruisers represent power and amazing combat capabilities. The nature of competition is observed not only between large giants like the United States and Russia, but also between small countries. A clear confirmation will be the rating, which concentrates the largest warships in the world. Based on the list, you see that not only large states have achieved good results in the field of the arms industry... And so, I have read it.
TOP 10 largest warships in history!
10
Length: 266 m
The aircraft carrier Shinano is a unique cruiser built by the Japanese during World War II. The ship was made for the imperial fleet. Initially, one of the largest warships was presented as a third battleship. But after the loss of a large number of aircraft carriers, the ship was modernized. After the transformation, the ship was completed like an aircraft carrier. At that time, Shinano was the largest on the planet. It is worth noting that this cruiser is attractive not only for its dimensions (266 meters in length), but also for its history. Ten days after commissioning, she was sunk by American torpedoes from a submarine called USS Archerfish (SS-311).
The Iowa-class Battleship is also one of the largest warships in history. The length of the vessel is 270.5 meters. It is part of the US military. The ships began to be designed as fast battleships. Later, the government decided to equip watercraft with good weapons and protection against strike groups. During the Second World War, America already had 4 Iowa ships in service. But their length at that time was much shorter. After the end of the war, engineers equipped the ships with 32 Tomahawk missiles and increased the area. Currently, there is enough space on deck to accommodate 2,800 military sailors.
We are talking about very powerful and large cruisers built in the 20s. The first full-fledged aircraft carriers of the Lexington series were built in 1922. They underwent modernization in 1927. It is worth noting that the Lexington series aircraft carriers played a significant role in the development of World War II. At that time, the states had 3 ships in service, but one of them was sunk in the Pacific Ocean. After the end of the war in 1942, the ships were sent for reconstruction. Thus, the platform was increased. Later, aircraft carriers took part in the battles of the Coral Sea.
Length: 295.05 m
Among the largest military vessels we should add the aircraft carrier Midway, which is 295 meters long. A series of heavy attack ships was first designed in 1941. Later, British ships were modified by adding armored frames to accommodate air groups. Three modified aircraft carriers were built in 1947 and were used in virtually every armed conflict in Britain. For almost half a century they roamed around the world. Currently, 2 out of 3 ships are in British service.
Length: 305.1 m
Unlike the United States, Russian ships have always been equipped with powerful defensive and offensive solutions. This cruiser includes a mass of heavy anti-ship missiles, which have a long range. It is deservedly considered the heaviest in the world, because the other one was sold to China and made lighter. The vessel was put into operation in 1990. Now it is the only Russian ship for transporting air transport. Can transport up to 30 aircraft.
Length: 325 m
American aircraft carrier named after America's first minister. This is the first warship designed by the United States after the war. When creating this cruiser, experts took into account all the experience gained as a result of battles. As a result, it was possible to create a unique military vessel taking into account the requirements of jet aviation. The contract for the production of ships was signed with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in 1951. The first aircraft carrier Forrestal was launched into the ocean in 1955. To this day, it is part of the US Navy.
Length: 326 m
The largest aircraft carriers in the world include the Kitty Hawk series of American ships. A total of 4 vessels were created, released in the 60s. In fact, these cruisers are a continuation of the Forrestal project. However, the new ships received a longer base and a different location of elevators. The most durable metal alloys were used to make Kitty Hawk. It is worth noting that after the end of the Cold War, only 2 ships from the Nimitz series remained in the American armed forces. Despite the modernization of the Constellation and John Kennedy, they were written off.
Length: 332.8 m
Among the largest warships in history is the ship named after John C. Stennis. From 1969 to 1981, the ship was under the control of a Senate Committee. In 1993 it underwent serious modification. As a result of modernization, the ship received 4 catapults, 2000 telephones, 4 elevators for aircraft. The platform also included 5,617 seats, 2 anchors, and 2,700 cabins. A total of 55,000 tons of the best steel were used. Unfortunately, the ship was written off for unknown reasons.
The navy of each state is an indicator of its wealth, power and authority. Since World War II, an arms race began that has not ended to this day. Almost every maritime power is trying to surpass its rival. The emerging two leaders are not giving up their positions. They own the largest warships in the world.
The rating presents 10 positions, taking into account the length of vessels of various types.
10.
The top ten largest warships are opened by destroyers-helicopter carriers of the "". They are designed to track submarines and destroy them. The lead Japanese destroyer Izumo entered combat service in 2015.Another helicopter carrier, Kaga, is on the way, which will be put into service in 2017. The length of the first military vessel is 248 m, and the crew capacity is about 1000 military personnel. The Japanese is capable of transporting up to two dozen helicopters. This is the largest battlefield that Japan has built.
9.
Project 1144 cruisers are four heavy nuclear-powered missile cruisers belonging to the Russian Navy. Three of them are currently undergoing modernization (Admiral Ushakov, Admiral Lazarev, Admiral Nakhimov). The Russian fleet is armed with the cruiser "Peter the Great", the length of which reaches 251 m. The main purpose of the flagship is to destroy enemy aircraft carrier facilities. It has several hundred combat missiles and many other ammunition in stock. The crew capacity is 1035 people.
8.
Universal landing ships of the Wasp type are designed to land American Navy troops on foreign territory. A total of eight vessels of this type were built, which have been in service since 1989 to this day. The length of the universal ship reaches 257 m. It is capable of transporting up to 40 military aircraft, and is designed for more than two thousand crew members.
7.
The America-class universal landing ships are designed to gradually replace Wasp-class military vessels. The mission of the ships remains the same: to ensure the landing of troops along with military equipment on the unequipped enemy coasts. Currently, the lead ship "America" has been put into service and another one has been built. According to the project of aircraft carriers of this type, 11 more ships are planned. The length of the lead “landing party” is just over 257 m. The military vessel is designed for approximately 3,000 military crew. America is designed to carry larger military equipment than Wasp and other aircraft carriers of the same size. Military vessels of this type are among the largest universal ships.
6.
"" is the first nuclear-powered ship and aircraft carrier of the French Navy, which replaced Clemenceau. The length of the flagship reaches 261 m, it is capable of transporting up to 40 aircraft structures. The crew capacity on board is 1900 people. The ship has been in use since 2001 and takes part in military exercises and conflicts. It is France's only aircraft carrier and largest warship.
5.
French aircraft carriers of the "" class were considered one of the most powerful warships in France. Two such ships were built: Clemenceau and Foch. The first was withdrawn from service with the French Navy, and the second was sold to Brazil at the beginning of this century. Now the ship is called "São Paulo" and is in service with the Brazilian fleet. The aircraft carrier is capable of accommodating 39 aircraft on deck. Its length is 265 m. The ship can accommodate more than 1,300 crew members.
4.
"" - project 1143 aircraft-carrying cruisers. Only four aircraft carriers of this type were created: Kiev, Minsk, Novorossiysk, and Baku. The last of the series, "Baku" has the greatest length, which is almost 274 m. This ship completely came into the possession of India in 2004, and was renamed "Vikramaditya". The modernized combat aircraft carrier is currently part of the Indian Navy. At its site it is capable of transporting up to 36 aircraft and 1,300 crew members. Vikramaditya is one of the largest warships.
3.
"" - one of the largest domestic warships currently. It is designed to protect maritime borders from possible attacks from other countries and is capable of hitting large surface targets. The length of the vessel is about 306 m. It is part of the Northern Fleet and has been in use from 1991 to the present day. Kuznetsov is capable of transporting up to 40 aircraft and can accommodate up to 2,000 people. This is the first and only large aircraft carrier in our country.
2.
Aircraft carriers of the "" type - largest warships, which are in service with the United States. The type of American aircraft carrier is designed to destroy large surface targets and provide air defense. The military giant is capable of transporting 90 aircraft at a time, which is many times greater than the capabilities of other aircraft carriers. The maximum length of the huge ship is more than 332 m, it can accommodate up to 3,200 people on just one ship, not counting the air wing.
The mass of combat supplies on board is about two thousand tons. There are ten Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in total. The cost of one Nimitz is about four and a half billion dollars. The first lead ship, the Nimitz, after which the type of aircraft carrier was named, was produced in the 70s of the last century. During all the time in operation, the ships took part in wars that took place in Yugoslavia, Iraq, etc. The series includes the following ships: “Nimitz” (1975); "Eisenhower" (1977); "Vinson" (1982); "Roosevelt" (1986); "Lincoln" (1989); "Washington" (1992); "Stennis" (1995); "Truman" (1998); Reagan (2003); "Bush" (2009). Each of these vessels has a service life of 50 years.
1.
The aircraft carrier "" is one of the largest combat ships in the whole world. Its length is 342 m. According to the project, 5 more aircraft carriers of this type were planned. But due to the large financial costs that went into the first ship, the project was suspended. The ship was in service with the US Navy from 1961 to 2012. The ship's ammunition reached two and a half thousand tons.
The area of the giant ship was capable of accommodating 90 helicopters and airplanes on its site, as well as up to 5,000 crew members. The warship took part in many military conflicts and went to sea twenty-five times. Currently, work is underway to dismantle the aircraft carrier. It will be replaced by the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, whose length will be 337 m. Its construction was completed in 2013. Commissioning is planned for 2016.