Seawise Giant Weight: The Largest Ship Ever Built

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Large cruise ships docked at a harbor on a clear sunny day.
Credit: pexels.com, Large cruise ships docked at a harbor on a clear sunny day.

The Seawise Giant was a behemoth of the sea, weighing in at an incredible 260,941 tons. This massive ship was the largest ever built, a true marvel of engineering.

It's hard to wrap your head around a ship that big, but to put it into perspective, the Seawise Giant was longer than three football fields laid end to end. That's a lot of steel and water.

The ship's massive size was matched only by its impressive cargo capacity, which was a staggering 564,763 cubic feet. That's enough space to store a small island's worth of goods.

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History of Seawise Giant

The Seawise Giant has a rich history that's worth noting. The ship's primary skin was first painted in the First Olsen Tankers Pte. livery.

In 1979, the Seawise Giant began its journey, and it's amazing to think about all it accomplished in its lifetime. The ship's model was completed and added to TSW on February 21, 2020.

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History

Credit: youtube.com, The Seawise Giant: The Middle Eastern Oil Tanker That Refused to Die

The Seawise Giant was a true giant in the maritime industry, and its history is fascinating. It was the brainchild of Hong Kong's C.Y. Tung, a visionary shipping magnate.

Tung's goal was to create the world's largest ship, marking a new era in supertanker history. He acquired the partially-built ship from Sumitomo Heavy Industries and transformed it into a colossal vessel.

The Seawise Giant underwent a transformative jumboisation process, which increased its cargo capacity by 146,152 tonnes. This enhancement cemented its status as the seas' undisputed monarch.

The ship boasted a record-breaking deadweight capacity of 646,000 metric tons, making it the largest ship in the world.

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Ship History 1979-2009

The Seawise Giant's early years were marked by its first livery, which was the primary skin of the First Olsen Tankers Pte. The ship's model was completed on February 21, 2020, and added to TSW.

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Construction and Design

The Seawise Giant was a behemoth of a ship, and its construction is a testament to human ingenuity. The construction of the Seawise Giant began in 1974, when she was ordered as an Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC).

Credit: youtube.com, A Colossal Construction Birth of a Maritime Marvel The Seawise Giant

The ship's dimensions are staggering, with a length of 458.45 meters (1,504.1 feet) and a beam of 68.8 meters (226 feet). The Seawise Giant's draft was 24.6 meters (81 feet).

The Seawise Giant's ship details were truly astounding, with a carrying capacity exceeding 600,000 tonnes. This made her the largest ship ever constructed at the time.

Here are the Seawise Giant's specifications:

The Seawise Giant's construction was a monumental undertaking, requiring the dedication and skill of countless engineers, technicians, and workers.

Size and Records

The Seawise Giant was an enormous ship that held several size records. It was the longest ship ever constructed, measuring 458.45 meters (1,504.1 feet) in length.

Despite its great length, the Seawise Giant was not the largest ship by gross tonnage, ranking sixth at 260,941 GT. It was, however, the largest by deadweight, with a fully laden weight of 564,763 tonnes.

The ship's size made it too large for major canals like the Suez and Panama canals. Its enormity was awe-inspiring, with a giant length that surpassed even the Petronas Towers.

Here's a comparison of the Seawise Giant's dimensions with other notable ships:

The Seawise Giant's turning circle in clear weather was about 3 km (2 miles), and it could reach up to 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h) in good weather.

Supertanker: A Legacy

Aerial view of an industrial oil tanker docked at a harbor, showcasing modern maritime technology.
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial view of an industrial oil tanker docked at a harbor, showcasing modern maritime technology.

The Seawise Giant's legacy is a remarkable one, inspiring future generations of shipbuilders with its record-breaking size and capacity. Her construction by Sumitomo Heavy Industries showcased the potential of maritime engineering.

Her 36-tonne anchor, now preserved at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, serves as a testament to the Seawise Giant's maritime history. The anchor was donated to the museum in 2010.

The Seawise Giant's journey exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of maritime behemoths, from her role in the Iran-Iraq War to her subsequent conversion. Her story will continue to captivate and inspire maritime enthusiasts for generations to come, thanks to her relocation to the Hong Kong Government Dockyard building on Stonecutters Island.

Ship Details

The Seawise Giant was a marvel of maritime engineering constructed in 1979. It was originally named Jahre Viking.

This colossal supertanker held seawise giant specifications unmatched by any contemporary vessel. Its massive size was a wonder to behold.

The Seawise Giant was a marvel of its time, showcasing the incredible advancements in shipbuilding technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a ship bigger than the Seawise Giant?

No, the Seawise Giant remains the longest ship ever built, with no other vessel surpassing its massive length. Its record has stood for over a decade, a testament to its enormous size and capacity.

Nellie Kling

Copy Editor

Nellie Kling is a seasoned copy editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for clear, concise writing. She has honed her skills over years of experience, ensuring that every article she touches is polished and engaging. Nellie's expertise shines through in her coverage of cruise line news, where she provides insightful and well-researched content that captivates her audience.

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