That is, being able to transport, say, frozen chickens, it will be considered as cargo.

Types

Bulk carriers

Bulk carrier- the general name of ships intended for the carriage of solid, bulk, and packaged cargo, including containers and liquid cargo in containers. Includes universal general cargo ships equipped with handling facilities, bulk cargo ships, bulk carriers with a deadweight of less than 12 thousand tons, some other ships, for example, sinter carriers.

bulk carriers

bulk carrier(also bulk carrier) - a ship for the transport of bulk cargo in bulk in the hold (that is, without containers). Bulk carriers are used to transport ore, coal, cement, etc. In addition to universal bulk carriers, there are specialized ones equipped for the transportation of certain types of cargo, such as ore carriers, cement carriers, etc. There are ships that can simultaneously transport both bulk and liquid cargo (then there are those that are both a bulk carrier and a tanker), for example, oil ore carriers.

container ships

Container ship- a vessel for the carriage of goods in standardized containers.

ro-ro

ro-ro(also: ro-ro ship) - a ship with a horizontal way of loading and unloading. Ro-Ros are most often used to transport (lorries) cars and other wheeled vehicles. The main advantage of the ro-ro is the speed of unloading and loading the vessel. For these operations, cranes are not needed: trucks with cargo simply drive in / out on the cargo decks of the vessel along the ramp.

Lighter carriers

lighter carrier- a vessel carrying special barges - lighters. Lighter carriers are often used where large vessels cannot approach the berth due to insufficient depth or for other reasons. Lighters are loaded at the berth, transported by tug to the lighter carrier and lifted on board the lighter carrier. Unloading is done in reverse order. In Russia, there is the world's only nuclear-powered lighter carrier "Sevmorput" serving the villages of the Arctic Ocean. This lighter carrier is part of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Atomflot of the State Corporation Rosatom.

tankers

Tanker - a ship for the carriage of bulk cargo.

refrigerated ship

Refrigerated ship - a ship, the holds of which are equipped with cooling units. Refrigerated ships are used to transport perishable foodstuffs. Because of this, among the sailors they received the nickname "banana carriers".

Size classification

There is a worldwide classification of cargo ships by size. It relies on the capacity of ports and terminals to receive ships of various sizes and on the capacity of the most important canals (Suez and Panama). There are several interpretations of these classes: Lloyd's scale, AFRA scale, flexible market scale.

Tanker classes

Name and decoding	Alternative name	Scale characteristics (dwt in tons)			Description	Example
		Lloyd	AFRA	flexible market
ULCC: Ultra Large Crude Carriers (Ultra Large Oil Carriers)		300-550 thousand	320-550 thousand	320-550 thousand	Very large oil tankers carrying crude oil over long distances. Transportation routes originate in the Persian Gulf and deliver oil to Europe, America, and Southeast Asia. Due to the fact that it is impossible for such large ships to pass through the Suez Canal, they usually go around Africa by passing through the Cape of Good Hope. Again, due to their large size, these vessels cannot unload in normal ports and are accepted by purpose-built terminals.	Knock Nevis
VLCC: Very Large Crude Carriers (Very Large Oil Carriers)		200-300 thousand	160-320 thousand	200-320 thousand	They follow a route similar to that of larger tankers, but due to their smaller size, they have flexibility in choosing ports. This allows VLCC ships to operate routes to the ports of the Mediterranean, West Africa and reach the Northern Marine Terminals. In addition, such tankers can return with ballast through the Suez Canal.	Exxon Valdez
Suezmax	AFRA: LR2 (Large Range 2)	180-200 thousand	80-160 thousand	120-200 thousand	As of 2012, ships with a deadweight of up to 200 thousand tons pass through the Suez Canal, larger ships can pass in ballast. There are plans to widen the canal to accommodate larger vessels.
Aframax Lloyd: capemax		100-180 thousand		80-120 thousand	As of 2012, ships with a deadweight of up to 200 thousand tons pass through the Suez Canal, larger ships can pass in ballast. There are plans to widen the canal to accommodate larger vessels. Historically, the name arose when such ships could not cross this channel and were sent with cargo around the African continent.
Panamax	AFRA: LR1 (Large Range 1); Lloyd: Aframax	Up to 80 thousand	45-80 thousand	60-80 thousand	Vessels having size limits for passage through the Panama Canal
product tanker	AFRA: medium range tanker	XXXXXXX	25-45 thousand	60-80 thousand
	AFRA: General Purpose tanker	XXXXXXX	10-25 thousand
separate class for Lloyd are tankers Malaccamax that can cross the Strait of Malacca in Malaysia

Classes of bulk carriers (dry cargo carriers) according to Lloyd classification

Name	Characteristic (deadweight in tons, approximately)	Description
Capesize	100-400 thousand	The largest dry bulk carriers not designed to navigate in (through) the Panama and Suez Canals. Draft and other characteristics vary. The class has internal gradation (VLOC and VLBC).
Panamax	65-100 thousand	Vessels with the maximum allowable dimensions for the passage of the Panama Canal (length 225.0 meters, width 32.25 meters, cage 12.5 meters). Vessels of this class are not equipped with cargo cranes and have 7 holds. The maximum draft in cargo is up to 15.0 meters.
Supramax	50-70 thousand	An intermediate class between Handymax and Panamax. Equipped with cranes, have 5 holds. The maximum draft in cargo is up to 13.0 meters.
Handymax	35-45 thousand	Vessels equipped with cranes and having a loaded draft of up to 12.0 meters. As a rule, they have 5 holds.
handysize	20-35 thousand	Vessels equipped with cranes and having a maximum loaded draft of up to 10.0 meters. As a rule, they have 5 holds.
mini bulk carriers	Up to 10 thousand	Small sea freighters for short and coastal voyages

Links

• Dry cargo ship // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov
• Dry cargo vessel in glossary.ru

Notes

1. Cargo ship; Navalochnik // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978.

There are many classifications.

4 main features of the classification of ships:

Transport or cargo ships

Fishing vessels

Service and auxiliary vessels (tugs, off-shore)

Vessels of the technical fleet (dredging vessels)

Classification by means of movement:

self-propelled

Non-self-propelled

According to the way of movement:

Hydrofoil or hovercraft

Submarines

By sailing area:

Sea vessels of unlimited navigation

Limited navigation (up to 200 miles)

coastal ships

Inland navigation vessels

mixed swimming

For special purpose:

Civil

Main types of specialized courts

Bulk carriers: these are ships for the transport of various bulk cargoes, usually without cargo devices with large lids (Self-unloading, PIBO, OBO)

Multi-Purpose Vessels: These are double-deck, tween-deck vessels with cargo handling arrangements for general cargo.

Container ships: for the transportation of containers, they have a high speed, the cargo capacity is most fully used

Refrigerator vessels: for the transportation of goods that require special treatment. Able to maintain climatic and temperature regimes.

Ro-Ro ships: ro-ro ships, for car transportation, containers and general cargo. Cargo decks along the length of the vessel, side tanks

Lighter carriers: large floating containers. Mostly on rivers.

Semi-submersible vessels: for the transport of bulky and heavy cargo.

Super load-bearing: for transportation of oversized and heavy loads.

Passenger ships: for the carriage of liquid cargo, baggage, mail

Tankers: for liquid cargo transportation

Offshore vessels: support vessels, fire vessels, pipe and cable layers, reconnaissance vessels.

3. Classification of tankers.

GP (General Purpose) - light tankers (6000-16,499 tons); used for special transportation, including transportation of bitumen;

GP - general purpose tankers (16,500-24,999 tons); used for the transportation of petroleum products;

MR (Medium Range) - medium-tonnage tankers (25000-44999 tons); for transportation of oil or oil products;

LR1 (Large/Long Range1) - oiler - class 1 large-capacity tankers (45,000-79,999 tons); are used for transportation of dark oil cargoes;

LR2 - large-capacity tankers of the 2nd class (80,000-159,999 tons);

VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) - class 3 large-capacity tankers (160,000-320,000 tons);

ULCC (Ultra Large Crude Carrier) - supertankers (more than 320,000 tons); for transportation of oil from the Middle East to the Gulf of Mexico.

FSO (Floating Storage and Offloading unit) - supertankers (more than 320,000 tons); to store and offload oil to smaller tankers.

4. Types of ships of the auxiliary fleet.

Service and auxiliary vessels are divided into:

auxiliary vessels: tugs, transshipment vessels, supply vessels, floating piers

Service ships:

Special purpose ships: research ships, expedition ships, hydrographic ships, training ships.

Service ships: icebreakers, medical and rescue ships, fire ships, pilot ships, lightships,

5. Classification of container ships.

Name	Capacity(TEU)	Characteristics
Ultra large Container ship	Over 15000	L=397mB=56mT=15.5mEmmaMaersk class vessels exceed NewPanamax class limits
New Panamax		Width up to 43m. The dimensions of this class of ships allow passage through the Panama Canal using new locks.
Post Panamax
Panamax		Maximum dimensions vessels of this class: length 294.13m, beam 32.31m, draft 12.04m in TFW (tropical fresh water). Capable of passing through the old Panama Canal locks
Feedermax
small feeder

6. Design features of container ships

1) cargo holds are box-shaped

2) the volume of the cargo space is a multiple of the volume of a 20-foot container

3) holds have guides for containers

4) To protect deck containers, an elongated side or bump is made

5) A large number of ballast and fuel tanks

6) There are wide opening holds

7) The covers of the holds of the pontoon removable type are opentop

7. Types of containers

1) Standard 20ft and 40ft are for general cargo

2) Open top cover

3) FLATRack type containers

4) Refrigerated containers are designed for the transportation of sensitive cargo

5) Container tank

6) SideDoors container

7) 45ft containers

8) High Cube h=9.5ft

8. Features of the transportation of refrigerated containers

1) refrigerated containers must be placed in accordance with the plan of these containers

2) Do not use additional electrical cables

3) Refrigerated containers can only be placed on deck

4) Refrigerated containers cannot be placed more than 2 tiers

5) Refrigerated containers cannot be placed on the sea side (along the edges of the sides)

6) Refrigerated containers can only be installed in those places where there are power sources intended for these containers (sockets)

Vessels carrying crude oil and oil products are divided into sizes. The global oil and petroleum products tanker fleet uses a classification system to standardize contract terms, establish shipping costs, and classify ships for charter contracts. This system, known as the Average Rate Rating (AFRA) system, was created by Royal Dutch Shell six decades ago, and the London Tanker Brokers (LTBP) group, an independent group of trading brokers, oversees the system.

AFRA uses a scale that classifies tanker ships according to deadweight tons, a measure of a ship's capacity to carry cargo. Estimated vessel capacity in barrels is determined by using an estimated 90% of the vessel's deadweight, which is multiplied by the barrel per metric ton conversion factor specific to each type of petroleum product and crude oil, as the density of the fuel oil. Varies by type and class.

The smaller AFRA scale vessels - General Purpose (GP) and Medium Range (MR) tankers - are typically used to transport cargo of petroleum products over relatively short distances, such as from Europe to the East Coast of the United States. Their smaller size allows them to access most ports around the world. A GP tanker can carry between 70,000 barrels and 190,000 barrels of motor gasoline (3.2-8 million gallons), while an MR tanker can carry between 190,000 barrels and 345,000 barrels of motor gasoline (8-14.5 million gallons).

Long Range (LR) class ships are the most common vessels in the global tanker fleet as they are used to carry both petroleum products and crude oil. These ships can access the largest ports that supply crude oil and oil products. An LR1 tanker can carry between 345,000 barrels and 615,000 barrels of gasoline (14.5-25.8 million gallons) or between 310,000 barrels and 550,000 barrels of light crude oil.

Most of the global tanker fleet is classified as AFRAMAX. AFRAMAX ships - ships from 80,000 dwt and 120,000 dwt. This ship size is popular among oil companies for logistical purposes, and many ships were built to these specifications. Because the AFRAMAX range exists somewhere between the LR1 and LR2 AFRA scales, LTBP does not publish freight estimates specifically for AFRAMAX ships.

Throughout the history of AFRA, tankers have grown in size and new classifications have been added. In connection with the expansion global trade oil added a very large crude carrier (VLCC) and an extra large crude carrier (ULCC), and larger vessels provided better economic efficiency for the supply of crude oil. VLCCs are responsible for most of the world's crude oil shipments, including in the North Sea, where the price benchmark for Brent oil is located. The VLCC can carry between 1.9 million and 2.2 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil.

Arrangement and operation of cargo and

In order to load and unload oil products or other liquid cargoes and distribute cargoes among tanks, tankers are equipped with special cargo pipeline systems that allow these operations to be carried out. Cargo residues from tanks that are not selected by the cargo system are pumped out through a stripping system, which is basically similar in design to the cargo system, but has a significantly lower capacity, a larger suction lift of the pump and smaller pipeline diameters. On ships of small deadweight, they are limited to one system that combines the functions of cargo and stripping.

Cargo systems on tankers provide for the possibility of receiving and issuing cargo from any side and from the stern of the vessel. To do this, the inlet and outlet pipes of the cargo system are located in the middle part of the main deck along both sides of the vessel symmetrically to the diametral plane. From the system of inlet and outlet pipes, the cargo line is extended into the stern of the vessel.

Cargo operations (draining and loading of oil products) should be carried out with closed viewing eyes of tanks, which, in turn, are equipped with fire-retardant nets.

Displacement of air and gases from tanks during filling, as well as filling tanks with them during discharge, must be carried out through a gas exhaust (“breathing”) system (see Section 5).

There are several standard solutions execution of cargo systems on tankers. The ring system is used on tankers, in which the cargo pump room (GNO) is located in the middle of the vessel, between the cargo compartments; linear system - on tankers, in which the pump room is located behind all tanks, between cargo tanks and MCO; cargo system with bulkhead bypass clinkets - on tankers with aft GNO.

ring system cargo pipeline is common on ships of early construction and small deadweight.

The system has a relatively high maneuverability and survivability. The disadvantage is the high cost, a large number of fittings and the complexity of operation.

Linear system cargo pipeline is most widely used, especially on large-capacity tankers. This system is easier to operate and cheaper to build than the ring system, but has less survivability (see Figure 1.1).

I-IV - a group of tanks; - - - - cargo, -.-.-.-.- ballast pipelines

Figure 1.1 - Scheme of cargo and ballast pipelines of the tanker "Leonardo da Vinci"

The requirements developed by Shell and British Petroleum apply to large-tonnage tankers chartered by them:

The cargo system, taking into account the breakdown of the area of ​​​​cargo tanks, must ensure the transportation of at least 2 types of cargo in the proportion of 50%:50%, or 25%:75%;

Both simultaneous and sequential unloading should be possible (in this case, partial mixing of the cargo in pipelines is allowed);

The performance of the cargo system must ensure unloading (including stripping) within 15 hours at a pressure of at least 1.15 MPa;

Loading of homogeneous cargo should be carried out with an intensity of 10% per hour of the net carrying capacity, and at the same time ballast operations should be carried out so that at any time the ship has a load of at least 30% of the full deadweight to ensure seaworthiness;

The middle of the cargo manifold should be located amidships of the ship or not more than 3 m away from it in any of the directions;

The height of the centers of the connecting flanges above the deck should be 0.9 m, with a higher height, a stationary working platform should be installed, spaced from the centers of the flanges at a distance of 0.9 m;

On the cargo manifold there should be at least four branches with flanges with a diameter of 406 mm, installed in such a way that the distance between the centers is at least 2.1 m, and the distance from the side to the DP is 4.6 m.

To connect the cargo manifold from standard valves to shore hoses, the requirements provide for supplying the vessel with a set of adapters for flanges 101x203 mm, 101x254 mm, 101x304 mm;

Spacers 400 mm long are provided between the clinkets of the cargo manifold and adapters, the support of which must be designed for a load from hoses equal to 4 tf.

In the cargo pump room, 2 ... 4 cargo pumps (GN) with a capacity of (3 ... 6) are installed. 10 3 m³/h and (9…12) . 10 3 m³/h on supertankers. On large tankers, centrifugal-type HPs with a steam turbine or electric drive (horizontal or vertical) are used. The horizontal drive located in the MKO increases its length. The vertical drive (figure 1.2) is shorter, the GN are located lower, but it creates difficulties with its centering.

1 - turbo drive; 2 - gas-tight stuffing box;

3 - swivel; 4 - pump

Figure 1.2 - Vertical cargo pump

The head of the GN is 1.13 - 1.45 MPa. The total power of the HH reaches 0.5 Ne of the tanker. On old and small tankers, horizontal piston GNs are used with a capacity of 100-400 t / h. They are characterized by a higher suction height, which ensures their use as a stripping pump (SP). As ZN can also be used - rotary pumps.

On some product carriers, gas carriers and chemical carriers, hydraulic submersible GN (ZN) are used.

GN and ZN differ in productivity, so the time for complete stripping is 30% of the total time for unloading the tanker.

The presence of two redundant systems increases the cost of the vessel, clutters up the GNO, complicates the automation of cargo operations, so there is a tendency to abandon the stripping system. Listed below are some ways to resolve this issue.

Systems of "non-pressure flow" British Petroleum (see Figures 1.3, 1.4). They are also used on domestic tankers "Sofia" (see figure 1.5).

The system is based on the free flow of oil through the bulkhead clink doors that connect all cargo tanks, the oil flows into the aft compartment and is taken in by the oil pump, which operates at maximum performance, and as the tanker is emptied, the trim to the stern increases.

An ejector is used to ensure reliable suction which sucks oil from the aft compartment and pumps it into a sump tank located above the LH, so that the oil from it creates sufficient suction head for the LH (Figure 1.6).

1 - additional secant clinket on the receiving processes of the stripping pipeline; 2 and 3 - cargo and cleaning pumps; 4 - deck cargo pipeline; 5 - secant clinkets between intake pipes

Figure 1.5 - Scheme of the cargo pipeline with bulkhead bypass and clinkets of the tanker of the "Sofia" type (first series)

1 - stripping ejector; 2 - settling tank; 3 - pump room;

4 - cargo pump; 5 - cargo tank; 6 - receiving pipe of the cargo pump;

7 - intake pipe of the stripping ejector

Figure 1.6 - Method of filling the cargo pump during stripping

cargo tank

System "Sentry-Strip" equipped with a vacuum tank at the suction of the HL, in which, when the back pressure decreases, a vacuum is created, sucking oil and increasing the back pressure of the HL (Figure 1.7). As the level in this tank decreases, the valve on the GN suction is closed (see Section 2).

1 - air separator; 2 - differential pressure sensor; 3 - valve drive on the discharge; 4 - butterfly valve; 5 - pneumatic valve; 6 - vacuum reservoir; 7 - vacuum valve; 8 - non-return valve; 9 - vacuum pump; 10 - vacuum pump electric drive; 11 - air filter; 12 - air filter cooler; 13 - vacuum gauge; 14 - pressure gauge; 15 - air supply valve.

Figure 1.7 - Scheme of the "Sentry-strip" system

There is a system with a vacuum tank that reduces the speed of the GN turbo drive as the backwater falls.

The Prima-vac system (Figure 1.8), when the backwater is reduced, increases the oil recirculation at the suction of the centrifugal GN., prevents its breakdown.

All these systems increase the operating time of the HV at full capacity. Double-bottom tankers, which constantly have sufficient HL backwater, have an advantage (tankers Krym, Pobeda, Figures 2.1, 2.2, Mobile-Pegasus).

1 - cargo pump; 2 - recirculation tank; 3 - valve "Prima-vac";

4 - automatic valve; 5 - air outlet pipe; 6 - recirculation line; 7 - valve on the pressure line; 8 - air line control valve

Tankers are vessels designed to transport oil from production sites to oil refineries. Increasing needs and the desire to maximize profits have led to the creation of supertankers, striking in their size and being the largest ships in the world.

They are also called tankers, emphasizing their purpose (for the delivery of liquid cargo: oil, gas, wine, oil, acids, and so on). This article will focus on the largest oil tankers in the world.

How tankers are arranged

The body of these giants consists of a rigid frame, divided by longitudinal partitions into "tanks" (compartments filled with oil).

Modern supertankers have a double-hull structure, that is, they have an extremely durable outer hull that takes the impact of a possible collision, and an inner hull that is responsible for the transportation of dangerous cargo. These vessels received such a transformation in 1990 after a series of environmental disasters associated with the crash of the supertankers Toray Canyon (1967), Amoco Cadiz (1978), Exxon Valdez (1989), when thousands of gallons of oil spilled into the sea, causing irreparable damage to the ecosystem of Great Britain, France and Alaska.

Single and double hull oil carriers

Single-hull giant oil carriers include:

• "Crimea".
• Torrey Canyon.
• Exxon Valdis.
• Amoco Haven and Amoco Cadiz.
• Idemitsu Maru.
• Esso Atlantic.
• Batillus.
• Knock Nevis.

They have a two-hull structure (selection from the top 10):

• Sirius Star.
• Hellespont Fairfax.

How oil ships work

Loading of "black gold" is carried out by the most powerful pumps, located in special pumping stations, which are equipped with ports. In order to unload the tanker, pumps are also installed on it and a special pipeline system has been created, which has a blockage and valves.

When the ship is loaded, the density of the oil is high and the outside air temperature is low enough, the oil is heated to reduce its viscosity and therefore facilitate pumping. Heating is carried out with the help of water vapor, which flows through pipelines that run directly in the tanks (compartments with oil). That is why tankers are equipped with steam boilers with enormous capacity.

Tanks are thoroughly cleaned and degassed each time raw materials are pumped out of the ship to prevent the ignition of vapors that are released from the cargo residues.

Characteristics

All oil carriers included in the group of supertankers have similar properties:

• Big sizes. As a rule, the length and width of these vessels is very large. Thus, the largest tanker in the world, whose dimensions are truly enormous, had a length close to 500 meters and a width of about 70 meters.
• A high degree of draft when transporting cargo (For example, the draft of Sirius Star when loaded is 22 m).
• Huge displacement (for example, Hellespont Fairfax has a displacement of 234 thousand tons).
• Enough high speed for ships of this size. On average 13-17 knots.
• The highest carrying capacity (Exxon Valdis transported 235 thousand tons of oil).
• Huge deadweight (total weight, which includes the weight of the cargo, the necessary fuel, equipment, and so on). For example, the deadweight of Batillus is almost 554 thousand tons.
• Crew size - 30-40 people.

The largest tankers in the world. Top 10

10. Supertanker "Crimea" - the largest tanker of the USSR and the modern Russian Federation. Built on Kerch shipyard. Launched in 1974. In 1989 it was sold to Vietnam with the name Chi Linh. Length - 295 m, width - 44.95 m, deadweight - 150,500 tons.

9. "Torey Canyon" - made in the USA, this tanker was wrecked in 1967 on its way to England. Tanker length - 296.8 m.

8. "Exxon Valdis" - was built in 1985. in San Diego (California). In 1989, it crashed off the coast of Alaska, which led to the release of 700,000 barrels of oil. After the aftermath, she was towed to the shores of San Diego and re-commissioned. In 2012, the tanker was scrapped in Singapore. Length - 300 m, width - 51 m, deadweight - 209,836 tons.

7. Sirius Star - was made in 2008 in Geoje (South Korea). In November 2008, captured by Somali pirates. Released in 2009. The length of the tanker is 332 m, the width is 58 m.

6. MT-Haven (Amoco Milford Haven) - launched in 1973 in Cadiz (Spain). Carried oil from the Middle East to ports on the Mediterranean Sea. Sunk in 1991 near Genoa (Italy) as a result of a rocket hit during the conflict between Iran and Iraq. Now it is one of the most visited wrecks by divers. Length - 334 m, width - 51 m, deadweight - 233,690 tons.

Amoco Cadiz is the twin tanker of MT-Haven. "Amoco Cadiz" began its voyage in 1975 from Cadiz (Italy). And in 1978, as a result of being stranded, it broke into three parts and sank off the coast of France. The death of the ship led to one of the largest environmental disasters. About 200,000 tons of oil spilled into the sea. Tanker length - 334 m, width - 51 m, deadweight - 233,690 tons.

5. Idemitsu Maru - built in 1966 in Yokohama (Japan). Transported oil from the Persian Gulf to the shores of Japan. Decommissioned in 1980. Currently completely disassembled. Length - 344 m, width - 49.84 m, deadweight (absolute load capacity) - 209,413 tons.

4. Hellespont Fairfax - created in South Korea in 2002. Transports oil from Saudi Arabia to Houston. Length - 380 m, width - 68 m.

3. Esso Atlantic is the brainchild of Japanese shipbuilders. It was launched in 1977. Under the flag of Liberia, it delivered oil from the Middle East to Western Europe. Scrapped in Pakistan in 2002. Length - 406.5 m, deadweight - 516,891 tons.

2. Batillus - launched in France in 1976. Carried oil from the Persian Gulf to Northern Europe. Decommissioned and completely dismantled in Taiwan in 1985. Length - 414.22 m, width - 63 m, deadweight - 553,662 tons.

1. Knock Nevis is the largest oil tanker in the world. It was built in 1976 in Japan. Let's pay a little more attention to the leader.

Knock Nevis. History of the giant

The largest oil tanker in the world began its journey in 1976 in Japan, and then was transferred to the possession of a Greek tycoon. Initially, the dimensions of the vessel were as follows: length - 376.7 m, width - 68.9 m, and deadweight - 418,610 tons. He moved with the help of a huge steam turbine with a capacity of 50 thousand horsepower, and a speed of 16 knots provided an incredible size propeller with four blades. During the factory tests, a strong vibration of the hull was revealed, which caused the Greek owners to refuse to accept the vessel. In 1976, the largest tanker in the world was handed over to SHI, where it was given the name Oppama.

After that, the tanker came into the possession of a Hong Kong shipowner, and a large-scale processing of the vessel was started. In 1981, the giant was named Seawise Giant, now its length has increased to 485 m, width to 68.86 m, and the deadweight is 564,763 tons.

The largest tanker in the world was supposed to carry oil from the Middle East to US ports. In 1986, during the conflict between Iran and Iraq, the ship was damaged by an anti-ship missile and was officially considered a sunk.

In 1988, the Norwegian company Norman bought, raised and restored the ship, giving her the name Happy Giant ("Happy Giant").

In 1991, the tanker changed its name and owner again. It became known as Gehre Viking and was owned by the Norwegian company Loki Stream AS.

Due to its structure (the tanker was single-hulled), the vessel could not enter the ports of Europe and the USA (according to the law on double-hulled ships), and therefore in 2004 it changed its owner again, was named Knock Nevis and converted into an oil storage off the coast of Qatar.

In 2010, the largest tanker in the world was renamed for the last time (now it was called Mont) and under the flag of Sierra Leone was sent to India for recycling.

One of the anchors of this huge vessel is on display at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.

What is the largest tanker in the world

Among experts, there are still disputes about which of the giant tankers should be given the well-deserved first place. This is due to the fact that the original dimensions of Knock Nevis were: length - 376.7 m, and deadweight - 418,610 tons, and only after the alteration the ship turned into a real colossus with a length of 458.45 m, a deadweight of 564,763 tons and a displacement of 657,000 tons.

The original dimensions of his opponent Batillus were as follows: length - 414.22 m and deadweight - 553,662 tons, in addition, Batillus was not subjected to alterations and did not change its purpose.

Technologies of the future

Very soon, the largest tanker in the world (photo above) will hand over the palm among the largest ships to truly huge floating cities with offices, parks, residential buildings and roads. The project of such a city called "Green Float" was developed by a Japanese company and will soon be implemented.

Another equally ambitious floating city plan, Eco Atlantis, is being implemented by China Communications, a Chinese company. The city is being built off the coast of Nigeria.