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Cargo vessels are considered the most essential transporters for the movement of trading items, commodities, and goods across the globe through the ocean. These ships are built for efficiency and capacity that enable international supply chains to function seamlessly. In this blog, we’ll discuss what cargo ships are, their types, how their production is estimated, and the biggest cargo vessels in different categories all over the world.
Cargo vessels are a class of vessels built to transport cargo across seas and oceans. These goods include raw materials like coal and iron ore or finished goods such as electronics and cars. The shipping industry consists of bulk cargo-owning ships, more than eighty percent of the global cargo movement is by sea.
There are different types of ships used to transport cargo owing to the nature of the goods carried. The following are the most common types:
Cargo ships have different measures used to show their capacity:
 The largest bulk carrier ships in the world are the Valemax class of ships, owned by the Brazilian mining company Vale S.A. These ships are built to transport iron ore from Brazil to markets in Asia. At a deadweight tonnage of up to 400,000 tons, these ships are the largest bulk carriers ever constructed and exceed even the previous record holder, the Berge Stahl.
Because of their size, there were few ports that could accommodate such large vessels until China began building ports specifically for them. The arrival of these new ports has reduced shipping costs and time for transportation of ore between Brazil and China and have greatly affected trade routes around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
As of 2024, the largest container ships in the world are part of the MSC Irina class operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). With a capacity of 24,346 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU), these are the largest container ships ever built. Some of the notable ships from this class are:
– MSC Irina
– MSC Loreto
These giant ships have completely transformed the shipping industry worldwide and made it possible to transport large quantities of goods between continents. However, their size creates many issues with port infrastructure and necessitates specialized handling equipment.
The largest type of oil tanker ships are called Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC). These enormous vessels transport most of the world’s crude oil across the oceans. Some examples are:
 SA Oceania – The largest operative tanker, with a deadweight tonnage of over 440,000 tons.
TI Europe: Another large ULCC which has the same capacity as SA Oceania.Â
Please note that these are the largest ‘operational’ ships, historically the Seawise Giant – though it was the largest ship ever built, but later it got scrapped.
The largest gas carrier ships in the world are the Q-Max class series of LNG carriers which can transport large quantities of liquefied natural gas (LNG) over oceans. Some of these ships includeÂ
They are the largest that can dock at Qatar’s LNG terminals. The increased size and advanced technology have profoundly affected global LNG shipping.
The MV Tønsberg, a massive RO – RO carrier ship owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen, currently throws the address of the worldly concern’s orotund. With a capability of 138, 000 three-dimensional meters, it’s designed to transport heavy and high load loads efficiently. It’s part of the advanced MK – V social class of ships, renowned for their efficiency and environmental friendliness. Its notable feature is Overhanging several layers into the hold for thousands of car storage.
Cargo ships serve as the backbone of international trade, with each type specifically crafted to transport particular goods effectively. Ranging from bulk carriers to container ships and tankers, these massive vessels exemplify remarkable engineering and are crucial in linking economies across the globe. Their size and capacity highlight the significant work involved in the smooth movement of goods that we frequently overlook.
