For many centuries, merchant ships and warships have been plying the oceans. Sometimes people build such colossus that, looking at the photographs, one can hardly imagine them. These hulks carry people, cargo, oil and gas. About the 6 largest watercraft in the world - further in the review.
1. Supertanker Knock Nevis
The longest ship ever built is an oil tanker Knock Nevis, formerly known as Jahre Viking. Knock Nevis is also considered to be the largest man-made object in the world. Its maximum length is 458.45 meters and its displacement is 260,941 tons.
The supertanker first took to the water in 1979 when it left the Sumitomo Heavy Industries shipyard in Japan. The ship was carrying crude oil around the world and in 1988 even came under bombardment during the Iran-Iraq war. The ship caught fire in coastal waters and sank, it was completely written off. After the end of the war, Jahre Viking was raised, repaired and put back into service.
To operate a supertanker, a crew of only 35 people is needed. The machine is driven by a single 9-meter screw, which makes 75 revolutions per minute. This achieves a cruising speed of 16 knots (30 km/h). To slow down, the ship needs 9 kilometers, and to turn around - 3 kilometers of water.
During its history, the ship has repeatedly changed its name, owners and port of registry. In 2009, the tanker made its last voyage to India, after which it was cut into metal.
2. Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise
The American USS Enterprise is the largest warship in the world. This is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, also known as CVA-65. This is the eighth ship with this name in the US Navy, but the largest of all. It is 342 meters long and can carry up to 4,600 troops and 90 aircraft.
The nuclear power plant of eight reactors produces a maximum power of 280,000 hp, thanks to which the ship can reach a speed of 33.6 knots (62 km / h). These characteristics look even more impressive when you consider that the USS Enterprise was commissioned in 1962. In 2017, after 55 years of service, the ship was officially decommissioned. Before that, he managed to see the Cuban crisis, the Vietnam War, the war in Iraq, where he represented the military power of the United States.
3. Gas carrier Q-Max
The largest LNG carriers in the world are Q-Max ships. Their displacement is 162,400 tons, length is 345 m, width is 55 meters. Q-max vessels can hold up to 266,000 cubic meters of natural gas and reach speeds of up to 19.5 knots (36 km/h).
On this moment There are 14 Q-Max gas carriers in the world, the cost of each giant is $290 million. The ships were built by Samsung Heavy Industries, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. The first gas carrier in the series (Moza) was completed in 2007 at the shipyard in South Korea. The ship got its name in honor of the second wife of the ruler of Qatar.
4. Container ship CSCL Globe
In November 2014, the naming ceremony for the world's largest container ship CSCL Globe was held. This is the first of five container ships ordered by the Chinese transport company CSCL in 2013. The vessel is designed for sailing on the route from Asia to Europe. The giant vessel, 400 meters long, has a displacement of 186,000 tons and can carry up to 19,100 shipping containers.
The CSCL Globe uses a 77,200 hp MAN B&W electronically controlled engine. 17.2 meters high.
5. Harmony of the Seas
For decades now, the company Royal Caribbean International is building new cruise ships that are bigger than the previous ones. In 2016 he made his first Harmony of the Seas 362 meters long. The ship has a capacity of 2,200 crew members and 6,000 passengers who travel the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Caribbean.
Harmony of the Seas has a displacement of 225,282 tons and a top speed of 22.6 knots (41.9 km/h).
There are many entertainment activities on board so as not to get bored for several weeks in a row: spa, casino, quest room, ice rink, surf simulator, theater, two climbing walls, zip-line, swimming pools, basketball court, a small golf course and even a water park.
The Harmony of the Seas cost an estimated billion dollars to build, making it one of the most expensive commercial ships ever built.
6. TI class supertankers
The largest oil tankers still in operation are the TI class supertankers. These are the vessels of TI Africa, TI Asia, TI Europe and TI Oceania. Mega tankers were built in South Korea in 2003 for the Greek company Hellespont.
The TI-class vessels are "only" 380 meters long - 78 meters shorter than Knock Nevis. The displacement of each of them is 234,006 tons and under full load they can reach a speed of 16.5 knots (30.5 km / h). In total, 4 ocean giants were built, which are still in operation.
And more recently, they were considered record-breaking
They are called "cities of the sea" with numerous entertainments and all kinds of amenities for passengers. Until today, the Titanic was considered the legendary, large-scale passenger liner. But now the biggest a cruise ship in the world of 2016 it is Harmony of the seas ("Harmony of the seas"). With a height of 70 cubic meters, a length of 362 m. It even broke the record for the length of the RCI vessel, built in 2010 by Allure of the seas ("Charm of the Seas"). The new giant is larger than the previous one by only 2 cm.
The world's largest cruise ship: characteristics
The ship with a displacement of 225.282 thousand tons is equipped with 16 decks, 2704 cabins, which can accommodate 5.4 thousand passengers. Among its class is environmentally friendly. Produces 20 percent less hydrocarbon emissions into the air. This is achieved through the use of new technologies.
Construction lasted 2.5 years. More than 1.5 billion US dollars spent. The area exceeds the scale of two football fields. The total power of six diesel units is 132 thousand / horsepower, thanks to engine traction, it develops speed over 22 knots. This is the third giant from the representatives of the class "The largest cruise ship in the world" for 2016.
In order to fill the rest for passengers for a long time on the ship, there are many entertainments, and some travelers sometimes do not have time to try everything during their stay. Here you can find leisure activities for every taste. Thrill-seekers will love the dizzying descents from water slides, which are located at a height of 10 floors-decks. At the disposal of guests: swimming pools, casinos, incendiary parties, sports grounds, jazz clubs.
Harmony of the Seas is divided into six themed areas:
- Central Park is located in the heart of the ship. A botanical garden has been created in the park. Guests have every chance to enjoy walks in the park for a long time.
- Promenade (Boardwalk), Pedestrian area with cafes and bars. Breakfasts and lunches for guests are organized in this sector.
- Sports area with swimming pool. No steamboat includes so many water features. In addition to many swimming pools, there are sports grounds for playing tennis, golf, etc.
- Spa area Vitality at Sea, fitness center. This part of the infrastructure was created for the complete relaxation and recreation of travelers. There are special zones with saunas, baths, Spa for children.
- Amusement park (Entertainment Place). Includes casino, clubs, skating rink, theater.
- Children's play area (Youth Zone). Reminds me of Disneyland.
On the largest cruise ship, there are 4 main categories of cabins:
- Suites. They differ from other rooms not only in their favorable location, but in the large size of the living area.
- Rooms with balconies. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts
- Cabins with a window that allow you to enjoy the views of the port entry.
- Simple well appointed rooms.
During the summer period, the liner carried out seven-day trips to mediterranean sea, and in the fall will cross the Atlantic Ocean.
How much is the pleasure of riding such a marvel of water engineering? Really inexpensive. Quite for a reasonable amount, which will be equal to a 1-day vacation in Thailand, however, if you do not order a luxury apartment, but settle in standard rooms. Now round-the-world trips on the sea are provided not only for the elite. Such entertainment is available to the middle class. So, all that remains is to earn money for such a voyage, stock up on a great mood and go ahead - buy a tour on the largest cruise ship in the world in 2016!
Biggest cruise ship: video
The largest and most famous passenger ship in the world for tragic events is Titanic. Everyone knows the unfortunate story of this greatest achievement of the 20th century. The ship was launched in 1911. On its first voyage, it collided with Atlantic Ocean with an iceberg and sank. , weighing 163 thousand tons, took with him to the bottom about one and a half thousand lives. It was possible to save only 700 people, they were picked up by a steamer passing by.
After the incident with the Titanic, the level of security on all liners has increased. All engineers and designers involved in the construction of passenger ships began to give priority to the conditions for ensuring the safety of human lives. As you know, one of the reasons for the mass death of people was the lack of a sufficient number of spare boats on the ship.
The best ships of the 21st century: top 5
The title of "The largest passenger ship in the world" passes from one ship to another every year - the rating is constantly changing. Ship models are constantly being improved, new requirements are being set at the local and international level, and high technologies are being created. In this regard, it is possible that in the near future the list will be replenished with new names of sea giants.
Since ancient times, the ability to swim like a fish has been no less desirable for a person than the ability to fly like a bird. What can't do given by nature body, helped implement the machines we built. From the fragile boats of antiquity, mankind has grown to the creation of huge cities on the water. The largest of them, even a modern person accustomed to the achievements of progress, amaze with a combination of power and beauty.
The largest ships in the world: selection criteria
To name the most-most huge ship, there are at least two criteria: dimensions (length and width) and displacement (in fact, this is the volume of the underwater part of the ship).
In addition, to determine the winner in individual categories, his ability to perform his main task is of decisive importance. For a passenger ship, this is the number of passengers that it can take on board and the number of cabins, for a bulk carrier or tanker, the weight of the cargo carried, for a container ship, the number of containers.
Sailboats and steamships
Before moving on to modern record holders, let's remember their predecessors, those who plowed the seas driven by the power of wind and steam.
Biggest sailing ship that has ever left the stocks 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 - they carried out regular cargo transportation, until the sailboat that ran aground off the coast of New Caledonia was abandoned by the owners. The ship was finally destroyed in 1944 during a bombardment.
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 propelled by two wheels and one propeller, but could also sail. The main purpose of the ship is Passenger Transportation, on board the Great Eastern could take up to 4000 people. 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 "Most big ships in the world "was the tanker Knock Nevis. Built in 1976 in Japan, it changed names many times and underwent a major overhaul. The final dimensions of the champion acquired in 1981 (under the name Seawise Giant): 458.5 meters long, 68 wide with 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 (more than 10 kilometers!) braking distance, could not pass through strategic navigable straits and could only moor in a few ports around the world.
You can see a photo of the largest ship on any site dedicated to the history of shipbuilding, but this giant has recently belonged to the past, just like sailboats and steamships. In 2010, the ship, which had not been used for six years, was cut into scrap metal.
Workaholic Giants
Like Seawise Giant, others largest ships also are 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, it is possible to lift from 11 to 14 thousand standard containers without its board. 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 set 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, but 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 load that this giant is able to carry is 400 thousand tons.
Cruise beauties
Although passenger ships and not as large as trucks, but they make an indelible impression. A cruise liner is not a means of transportation, but a luxury vacation spot. Big size the ship here serves not so much as an opportunity to accommodate as many passengers as possible on board, but to create all conceivable comfort that would satisfy the most demanding public.
The largest passenger ships are many times larger than the Titanic that once seemed incredible. A pair of twin liners Allure of the Seas and Oasis in the Seas are unmatched 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 are serving on board (this is against several dozen sailors serving tankers and bulk carriers).
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 can not ignore the largest warships. These are now aircraft carriers. And this is understandable: no matter how the aircraft engineers work to reduce the take-off run of aircraft, the “winged sailors” still need a rather big track for the start.
In the period before World War II, the most powerful maritime 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 the surrender of Japan.
The development of anti-submarine weapons made such ships too convenient 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 stake in the post-war period was placed on aircraft carriers.
The largest naval ship of all time was the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. It is 342 meters long and 78 meters wide. The ship carried up to 90 aircraft(aircraft and helicopters), which served 1800 people. The total crew is 3,000 sailors. After serving for more than half a century, in 2012 the Enterprise was withdrawn from service with the United States Navy. 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 are unrivaled in their categories.
Thus, the flagship of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation, the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Veliky, is the world's largest non-aircraft-carrying combat strike ship. Cruiser dimensions: 251 meters - length, 28 meters - width, displacement - 28 thousand tons. Main task: counteracting enemy aircraft carrier formations.
There is another record holder in the service of 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.
Of the civil courts, it is necessary to mention the largest nuclear icebreaker"50 Years of Victory", which came off the stocks in 1993. Perhaps, knowing what the largest ships in the world are, its 160 meters in length will seem frivolous, but still this ship has no equal in its class.
Giant in the shipyard
In addition to the actual ships, modern shipbuilders are busy developing other marine giants - floating platforms. Strikingly large structures can be used for various purposes, from mining to launching spacecraft.
Right now, the shipyards of the South Korean Samsung Heavy Industries are completing the Prelude floating platform, which the customer, Royal Dutch Shell, plans to use for the extraction, 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 has become available to everyone interested.
The vessel is 488 meters long, 78 meters wide, and has a displacement of 600,000 tons. It is assumed that the platform will move with the help of tugs. Only the absence of its own running gear does not allow Prelude to be called a champion among giant ships. The platform is still not a ship.
