Ships have always been rather large in size, but ships in more recent years have been made in epic proportions. Some of them are so massive that they are literally the heaviest ships in the entire world.
This list of the 15 heaviest ships in the world includes cruise ships, container ships, oil tankers, and even a construction vessel.
On This Page:
- Terms and Definitions to Help Decide Ship Weight
- #17 – Harmony of the Seas
- #16 – Symphony of the Seas
- #15 – MSC Mina, MSC Isabella, and MSC Marina
- #14 – MSC Gulsun, MSC Samar, and MSC Leni
- #13 – TI Class – TI Africa, TI Asia, TI Europe, and TI Oceania
- #12 – Nissei Maru
- #11 – Wonder of the Seas
- #10 – Globtik London
- #9 – Globtik Tokyo
- #8 – Sea World
- #7 – Esso Pacific
- #6 – Icon of the Seas
- #5 – Esso Atlantic
- #4 – Seawise Giant
- #3 – Pierre Guillaumat and Prairial
- #2 – Batillus and Bellamya
- #1 – Pioneering Spirit
Editors Note: Article updated in March 2024 to include Icon of the Seas.
Terms and Definitions to Help Decide Ship Weight
In this list of the 15 heaviest ships in the world, there are many terms and acronyms that you may not know the meaning of. To fully appreciate the unbelievable size of these incredible ships, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the terminology.
Terms for Ship Weight:
- Gross Tonnage – the measure of a ship’s total interior volume
- Deadweight Tonnage – the weight of all cargo, fuel, dry provisions, supplies, and anything else carried on a ship
- Net Tonnage – the measure of the total interior volume of a ship’s cargo spaces
Measurement Labels:
- A single ton is equal to 2000 pounds (907kg).
- A single knot is equal to 15 miles per hour (24km/h).
- A single barrel is equal to 42 United States gallons (158Liter).
Ship Terms and Acronyms:
- Draft – the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of a ship’s hull
- TEU – stands for Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit and is used to measure a ship’s cargo-carrying capacity
- Class – a ship class is a group of ships that have a similar design
These explanations will help you wrap your head around the truly massive size of these ships!
#17 – Harmony of the Seas
Gross Weight: 226,963 tons
The Harmony of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean Oasis class cruise ship. This luxurious cruise ship was officially launched in 2016, and she is currently the second largest passenger ship in the world by gross tonnage.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 226,963
Deadweight Tonnage: N/A
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,188 ft (362m).
Width: 215.5 ft (65m).
Draft: 30 ft (9m).
Additional Information:
Guest Capacity: 6,780 people
Speed: 22 knots
#16 – Symphony of the Seas
Gross Weight: 228,081 tons
The Symphony of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean Oasis class cruise ship. This incredible ship is the younger sister of Harmony of the Seas. She officially launched in 2018 and is currently the largest passenger ship in the world by gross tonnage.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 228,081
Deadweight Tonnage: N/A
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,188 ft (362m).
Width: 215.5 ft (65m).
Draft: 30 ft (9m).
Additional Information:
Guest Capacity: 6,680 people
Speed: 22 knots
#15 – MSC Mina, MSC Isabella, and MSC Marina
Gross Weight: 228,741 tons
The Mina, Isabella, and Marina are all MSC Megamax-24 container ships that share the same gross tonnage. These three ships are the second largest container ships in the world and are part of an 11-ship series that was commissioned in 2017.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 228,741
Deadweight Tonnage: 197,500
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,312 ft (399m).
Width: 200 ft (60m).
Draft: 54 ft (16m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: 23,656 TEU
Speed: 24-26 knots
#14 – MSC Gulsun, MSC Samar, and MSC Leni
Gross Weight: 232,618 tons
The Gulsun, Samar, and Leni are all MSC Megamax-24 container ships that share the same gross tonnage. These three ships are the largest container ships in the world and are part of an 11-ship series that was commissioned in 2017.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 232,618
Deadweight Tonnage: 197,500
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,312 ft (399m).
Width: 202 ft (61m).
Draft: 54 ft (16m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: 23,756 TEU
Speed: 24-25 knots
#13 – TI Class – TI Africa, TI Asia, TI Europe, and TI Oceania
Gross Weight: 234,006 tons
The TI Class of supertankers consists of 4 ships – named Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania – that all share the same gross tonnage. These four ships were constructed in 2002 and 2003. Their original names were Hellespont Alhambra, Hellespont Fairfax, Hellespont Metropolis, and Hellespont Tara, respectively.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 234,006
Deadweight Tonnage: 441,893
Net Tonnage: 162,477
Measurements:
Length: 1,243 ft (381m).
Width: 223 ft (67m).
Draft: 80.5 ft (24m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: 3,166,353 barrels
Speed: 16.5 knots
#12 – Nissei Maru
Gross Weight: 234,287 tons
The Nissei Maru is a Globtik Tokyo class supertanker. When this ultra large crude carrier, or ULCC, was launched in 1975, it was the largest oil tanker in the world.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 234,287
Deadweight Tonnage: 484,337
Net Tonnage: 184,884
Measurements:
Length: 1,243 ft (381m).
Width: 204 ft (62m).
Draft: 93 ft (28m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: up to 4 million barrels
Speed: 14.25 knots
#11 – Wonder of the Seas
Gross Weight: 235,600 tons
With the recent launch of Icon of the seas in January 2024, Wonder of the seas has been bumped down to being the second largest cruise ship in the world. With a gross tonnage of a whopping 235,600 GT, this floating city is longer than the Eiffel Tower laid down (1,188 feet, to be exact) and wide enough (211 feet) to host a small airplane runway—though we wouldn’t recommend trying that. It’s like someone decided to play Tetris with skyscrapers and created the ultimate vacation resort.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 235,600
Deadweight Tonnage: N/A
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,188 ft (362m).
Width (beam): 211 ft (64m).
Draft: 30 ft (9m).
Additional Information:
Guest Capacity: 7,084 people
Speed: 22 knots
#10 – Globtik London
Gross Weight: 238,207 tons
The Globtik London is a Globtick Tokyo class supertanker. This crude oil tanker set sail in 1973 as the second largest oil tanker in the world.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 238,207
Deadweight Tonnage: 483,960
Net Tonnage: 184,190
Measurements:
Length: 1,243 ft ( m).
Width: 204 ft ( m).
Draft: 93 ft ( m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: 3.65 million barrels
Speed: 14.8 knots
#9 – Globtik Tokyo
Gross Weight: 238,232 tons
The Globtik Tokyo is a Globtik Tokyo class supertanker. This oil tanker is the largest of the 3 oil tankers in the Globtik Tokyo class, making her the largest crude oil tanker in the world. She was launched in 1972.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 238,232
Deadweight Tonnage: 483,684
Net Tonnage: 184,190
Measurements:
Length: 1,243 ft ( m).
Width: 204 ft ( m).
Draft: 93 ft ( m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: 3.65 million barrels
Speed: 17 knots
#8 – Sea World
Gross Weight: 245,100 tons
The Sea World is a supertanker. She held the title of the widest ship ever built for a very long time. Her other names are King Alexander and TT Nanny. Sea World was built in 1978.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 245,100
Deadweight Tonnage: 491,120
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,194 ft ( m).
Width: 259 ft ( m).
Draft: 79 ft ( m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: approximately 2,000,000 barrels
Speed: 21.6 knots
#7 – Esso Pacific
Gross Weight: 247,160 tons
The Esso Pacific is an Esso Atlantic class supertanker. This ULCC is one of the two members of the Esso Atlantic class. When it was built in 1977, it was one of only seven ships to ever have a deadweight capacity of over half a million tons. In 1990, she was sold to another shipping company and renamed Kapetan Michalis.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 247,160
Deadweight Tonnage: 508,628
Net Tonnage: 186,500
Measurements:
Length: 1,334 ft ( m).
Width: 233 ft ( m).
Draft: 83 ft ( m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: up to 4 million barrels
Speed: 15.5 knots
#6 – Icon of the Seas
Gross Weight: 250,800 tons
The Icon of the Seas is not your average run-of-the-mill cruise ship. It is the first in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and is a marvel that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on the high seas. We’re talking about 20 decks of pure bliss, seven swimming pools to dip your toes into, and six water slides for the thrill-seekers. With a gross tonnage of 250,800 GT, it’s like someone decided to put a small city on the ocean and then thought, “Why not throw in a theme park for good measure?”
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 250,800
Deadweight Tonnage: N/A
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,198 ft (365m). About 3.3 football fields
Width (beam): 216 ft (66m).
Draft: 30 ft (9m).
Additional Information:
Guest Capacity: 7,600 people
Speed: 22 knots
#5 – Esso Atlantic
Gross Weight: 259,532 tons
The Esso Atlantic is an Esso Atlantic class supertanker. This ULCC is the other member of the Esso Atlantic class and is also one of only seven ships that surpassed a half million tons of deadweight when it set sail in 1977. In 1990, she was sold and renamed Kapetan Giannis.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 259,532
Deadweight Tonnage: 508,628
Net Tonnage: 186,500
Measurements:
Length: 1,334 ft (406m).
Width: 233 ft ( m).
Draft: 83 ft ( m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: up to 4 million barrels
Speed: 15.5 knots
#4 – Seawise Giant
Gross Weight: 260,941 tons
The Seawise Giant is a supertanker. She has been known by many names – Happy Giant, Jahre Viking, Knock Nevis, Oppama, and Mont. This ULCC was the longest ship ever built when she was constructed in 1979, and she also boasted the highest deadweight tonnage ever recorded.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 260,941
Deadweight Tonnage: 564,763
Net Tonnage: 214,793
Measurements:
Length: 1,504 ft (458m).
Width: 226 ft (68m).
Draft: 81 ft (24m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: up to 4 million barrels
Speed: 16.5 knots
#3 – Pierre Guillaumat and Prairial
Gross Weight: 274,838 tons
The Pierre Guillaumat and the Prairial are both Batillus class supertankers that share the same gross tonnage. Pierre Guillaumat was built in 1977. Prairial was built in 1979. These two tankers were members of the 4-tanker Batillus class. Prairial was the only one in the class to be renamed – going by the names Sea Brilliance, Hellas Fos, and Sea Giant.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 274,838
Deadweight Tonnage: 555,051
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,359 ft (414m).
Width: 207 ft.
Draft: 93.5 ft.
Additional Information:
Capacity: up to 4 million barrels
Speed: 16 knots
#2 – Batillus and Bellamya
Gross Weight: 275,268 tons
The Batillus and the Bellamya are both Batillus class supertankers that share the same gross tonnage. These two ships were built in 1976 and are the other two members of the 4-tanker Batillus class. The Batillus class was special because it was built in such a way that allowed it to be more easily operated in emergency situations than other supertankers.
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 275,268
Deadweight Tonnage: 553,662
Net Tonnage: 225,473
Measurements:
Length: 1,359 ft (414,m)
Width: 207 ft (63m).
Draft: 93.5 ft (28m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: up to 4 million barrels
Speed: 16 knots
#1 – Pioneering Spirit
Gross Weight: 403,342 tons
The Pioneering Spirit is a crane vessel that is, quite literally, the heaviest ship in the world. Its original name was Pieter Schelte, and its job as the largest construction vessel in the world is to install and remove oil and gas platforms and install pipelines. She has two barges that assist her named Iron Lady and Bumblebee. It was launched in 2013.
Just watch this video to see this monster in action:
Weight Specs:
Gross Tonnage: 403,342
Deadweight Tonnage: 499,125
Net Tonnage: N/A
Measurements:
Length: 1,253 ft (380m).
Width: 407 ft (124m).
Draft: 33-49 ft (around 12m).
Additional Information:
Capacity: 48,000 ton topside lift capacity, 25,000 ton jacket lift capacity, and 2,000 ton pipelay tension capacity
Speed: 14 knots
