With IMO’s mission for GHG emission reduction, Global shipping industry is evolving with new technologies, better fuel and ever increasing cargo capacity. The ships under different class are pushing the limits of their cargo-carrying capacity and minimize carbon footprint. Here we are compiling the biggest in the game for this year.
Table of Contents
Largest Container Vessel
MSC Irina (Flag: Liberia) is the world’s largest container ship, with a capacity of 24,346 TEUs. The smile of MSC seafarers reading this is priceless. MSC has always been among the top two dominant companies with extensive container fleets. Getting its hand on the biggest vessel comes as no surprise.
- Length: 399.9 meters (about four football fields!)
- Beam (Width): 61.3 meters
- Gross Tonnage: Over 233,000 GT
- Flag: Liberia
- Year Built: 2023
- Shipyard: Jiangsu Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, China
Why It’s a Big Deal:
- It can carry over 1.17 billion bananas in one trip 🍌
- Designed for fuel efficiency with hybrid scrubbers and air lubrication systems
- Helps reduce carbon emissions while maximizing cargo volume
A walk around the ship to your cabin would be a kilometer long.
Also Read
10 most upbeat experiences at sea.
Largest Bulk Carrier
These vessels are popular among seafarers who wishes to sail without tight schedules, never-ending voyages and heartful of shore leaves.
The largest bulk carrier ship currently in operation is the Valemax-class Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC), specifically vessels like the MS Ore Brasil (formerly Vale Brasil), operated by Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A.
- Deadweight Tonnage (DWT): Up to 400,000 tonnes
- Length: ~362 meters (1,188 feet)
- Beam (Width): ~65 meters
- Draft: ~23 meters
- Cargo Type: Primarily iron ore
- Shipbuilder: Various, including DSME (South Korea) and Jiangsu Yangzijiang (China)
- Fleet Size: 68 vessels in service
Why They’re Massive:
- Designed to maximize efficiency on long-haul routes from Brazil to Asia
- Can carry enough iron ore to build 3 Eiffel Towers per trip
- Reduce emissions by up to 35% per ton of cargo compared to older ships
These ships are so large they cannot dock at most ports, requiring specially deep berths like those in China’s Qingdao Port or Vale’s own terminal in Malaysia.
Largest Car Carriers
Fast paced vessels with tight schedules delivering hot wheels.
The world’s largest car carrier ship currently in operation is the BYD Shenzhen, launched in 2025 by Chinese EV giant BYD to support its global expansion.
- Capacity: 9,200 vehicles (surpassing the 9,100-car Höegh Aurora class)
- Length: 219.9 meters
- Beam (Width): 37.7 meters
- Draft: 9 meters
- Decks: 16 roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) decks
- Speed: Up to 19 knots
- Fuel Type: LNG dual-fuel propulsion system
Green Tech involved
- Hybrid 1MW battery system
- Boil-Off Gas (BOG) recondenser
- Shore power compatibility for zero-emission port operations
- Drag-reducing paint and exhaust gas recirculation systems
Purpose & Impact:
- Built to create a “maritime bridge” for exporting BYD’s electric vehicles globally
- First voyage: From China to Brazil with over 7,000 EVs onboard
- Part of BYD’s fleet of eight planned car carriers by 2026
This ship isn’t just massive—it’s a symbol of how car shipping is evolving toward cleaner, more efficient logistics.
Largest Oil Tanker
The largest oil tanker currently in operation is the FSO Oceania, a converted Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC) now serving as a Floating Storage and Offloading unit (FSO).
FSO Oceania – Key Specs:
- Length: 380 meters (1,247 feet)
- Beam: 68 meters (223 feet)
- Deadweight Tonnage: 441,585 metric tons
- Oil Capacity: ~3 million barrels
- Owner: Euronav Shipping NV
- Built: April 2003 by Daewoo Shipbuilding
- Current Role: Anchored off Malaysia, used for offshore oil storage
Although it’s no longer a mobile tanker in the traditional sense, its sheer size and capacity still make it the largest operational oil vessel today. It was previously known as TI Oceania, Seaways Laura Lynn, and Hellespont Fairfax before being converted into an FSO.
Largest LNG Carrier
The seafarers of this field can be called the elites with no second thought, carrying cargo in those state-of-the-art vessels with a completely different work culture than the rest.
The largest LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) carrier currently in operation is the Q-Max class, specifically vessels like the Mozah, operated by Nakilat and Qatargas.
Q-Max LNG Carrier – Key Specs:
- LNG Capacity: 266,000 cubic meters
- Length: 345 meters
- Beam (Width): ~53–55 meters
- Draft: ~12 meters
- Speed: Up to 19.5 knots
- Built: By Samsung Heavy Industries (e.g., Mozah in 2008)
These ships are designed to berth at Qatar’s Ras Laffan Terminal and are equipped with:
- Membrane-type containment systems
- Onboard re-liquefaction systems to reduce cargo loss
- Advanced fire-fighting and insulation technologies
- Dual slow-speed diesel engines for better fuel efficiency
There are 14 Q-Max vessels currently in service. Each ship can supply ~70,000 homes for a year in a single voyage. They reduce transport costs and carbon emissions by consolidating cargo
Largest LPG Carrier
LPG is carried at its boiling point, which ranges from −30 °C to −48 °C, depending on the specific gas (e.g., propane or butane). These ships operate at near atmospheric pressure and require robust insulation and refrigeration systems. The largest LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) carrier currently in operation is the Harzand, a cutting-edge Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) delivered in 2023 to Petredec, a Singapore-based company.
Key Specs:
- Cargo Capacity: 93,000 cubic meters of LPG
- Length: 230 meters
- Beam (Width): 36.6 meters
- Deadweight Tonnage: ~60,000 tonnes
- Speed: Service speed of 16.5 knots
- Propulsion: Dual-fuel MAN ES LGIP engines (can run on LPG)
- Shipbuilder: Jiangnan Shipyard, China
Sustainability Highlights:
- Equipped with a rudder energy-saving device and optimized hull design
- Produces 30% less CO₂ than older 84,000 cbm VLGCs when using low-sulfur fuel oil
- Uses LPG as fuel for both propulsion and auxiliary power, reducing emissions significantly
Harzand isn’t just big—it’s a symbol of how the gas shipping industry is evolving toward cleaner, more efficient technologies. and carbon emissions by consolidating cargo
Largest Ammonia Carrier
The largest ammonia carriers currently in operation are part of a new wave of Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs) being built to meet the rising demand for transporting clean energy. While none have entered service yet, the biggest confirmed vessels are set to launch starting in 2026.
Largest Ammonia Carriers – Coming Soon:
- Capacity: 93,000 cubic meters of ammonia
- Operators: Maersk Tankers and Naftomar Shipping
- Shipbuilders:
- Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (Maersk Tankers)
- Hanwha Ocean (Naftomar Shipping)
- Delivery Timeline: Late 2026 onward
- Fuel Capability: Dual-fuel engines (LPG and ammonia-ready)
- Sustainability: Designed to run on their own green ammonia cargo for zero-carbon transport
These VLACs will be the largest ammonia carriers ever built, and once delivered, they’ll dominate the ammonia shipping market in both size and environmental performance.
Largest Cruise Ship
The largest cruise ship in the world is Icon of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International. It officially entered service in January 2024, and it’s a floating city in every sense of the word.
Icon of the Seas – Key Stats:
- Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT (largest ever)
- Length: 364.75 meters (1,196.7 feet)
- Width: 66 meters (217 feet)
- Passenger Capacity: Up to 7,600 guests
- Crew: Around 2,350
- Decks: 20 total, with 18 accessible to guests
- Staterooms: 2,805
Features & Highlights:
- 8 distinct neighborhoods, including:
- Surfside (family-focused)
- Thrill Island (home to the largest waterpark at sea)
- AquaDome (featuring aerial shows and ocean views)
- 6 record-breaking waterslides
- 7 pools, including the first swim-up bar at sea
- 40+ dining and drinking venues
- Powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for cleaner energy
Icon of the Seas is not just a ship—it’s a marvel of engineering, entertainment, and sustainability. Its sister ship, Star of the Seas, shares the same dimensions and is set to begin voyages in August 2025, making them co-holders of the title.
Largest Research Ship
Though its not related to the capacity of cargo it carries but, it plays a crucial role studying the changes sea ecosystem is facing and help us prepare better for the future.
The largest research ship in the world is the REV Ocean, a Norwegian vessel designed to tackle global ocean challenges like climate change, plastic pollution, and overfishing.
REV Ocean – Key Specs:
- Length: 194.9 meters (639 feet)
- Gross Tonnage: 19,235 GT
- Crew & Scientists: Up to 90 onboard (including 54 scientists)
- Range: 21,120 nautical miles
- Propulsion: Hybrid diesel-electric with a 3 MWh battery system
- Helipads: 2, plus an Airbus ACH145 helicopter
- Labs: 3 wet labs, 4 dry labs, media lab, sonar room, and more
- Submersibles: Includes a deep-diving submarine and ROV rated to 6,000 meters
Research Capabilities:
- Equipped with a moonpool for safe deployment of equipment in icy waters
- Can extract samples from depths of 20,000 feet
- Features drop keels and a gondola with sonar and hydrophones
- Designed for polar expeditions and long-duration missions
Mission & Impact:
- Built by Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke as part of the REV Ocean initiative
- Operates on a dual model: 75% scientific missions, 25% charter expeditions
- Revenue from charters funds marine research and conservation projects
REV Ocean is currently undergoing final outfitting in the Netherlands and is expected to begin operations in 2027.
Largest TUG Boat
These are small yet powerful, doing the most critical operations, helping a ship to dock/undock safely, so that you can go shore. With numerous daily operations around the port , they had become for powerful and environment friendly.
The largest and most powerful tugboat currently in operation is the Island Victory, owned by Island Offshore and sailing under the Norwegian flag.
Island Victory – Key Specs:
- Length: 123.4 meters
- Beam (Width): 25 meters
- Deadweight: 5,686 tonnes
- Bollard Pull: 477 tonnes – the highest ever recorded for a tugboat
- Power: 42,880 horsepower from twin Rolls-Royce Bergen engines
- Deck Area: 1,200 m²
- Crew Capacity: Up to 110 people
- Launched: 2020
Capabilities & Features:
- Classified as an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel
- Equipped with:
- A 250-tonne offshore crane
- Moon pool with 800-tonne capacity
- Oil recovery tank (2,300 m³)
- Two ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) for subsea operations
- Can operate in Arctic conditions and perform deep-sea installations
Record-Breaking Moment:
In 2021, Island Victory set a world record by installing eight STEVSHARK REX anchors at a depth of 100 meters in the Norwegian North Sea, maintaining a continuous traction force of 440 tonnes.
This tug isn’t just strong—it’s a technological marvel built for the toughest offshore missions. outfitting in the Netherlands and is expected to begin operations in 2027.
Largest Yatch
Well the list should not leave you on a dry note. Life should be a balance between work and leisure. Yatches are iconic and is an epitome of luxury and futuristic technology.
The largest private yacht currently in operation is Azzam, built by Lürssen Yachts in Germany and delivered in 2013. It’s a marvel of engineering and luxury, designed for speed, elegance, and discretion.
Azzam – Key Specs:
- Length: 180.61 meters (592.6 feet) – longest yacht in the world
- Beam: 20.8 meters
- Gross Tonnage: ~13,136 GT
- Top Speed: Over 30 knots (thanks to gas turbines and water-jet propulsion)
- Guests: Up to 36
- Crew: Around 80
- Builder: Lürssen Yachts
- Exterior Design: Nauta Yachts
- Interior Design: Christophe Leoni (inspired by French Empire style)
Notable Features:
- A 95-foot-long main salon with mother-of-pearl finishes
- Missile defense system rumored (though never confirmed)
- Operates in shallow waters due to its propulsion system
- Built for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former President of the UAE
Despite its size, Azzam is known for its sleek profile and ability to reach high speeds—rare for a yacht of this magnitude. It’s often seen as the ultimate symbol of private maritime luxury.
Though there is a wide spectrum of vessels active in trade to ponder, share the biggest vessel and the type you have sailed on in the comment section.
