The Knock Nevis was a ULCC supertanker with 458 meters long and 69 meters
wide, which made it the second largest cargo vessel in the world. Moreover, in the
past, it also came to possess the largest gross tonnage.
The Knock Nevis was also known by many other names: Seawise Giant, Happy
Giant and Jahre Viking within others. It was built between 1979 and 1981 in
Oppama (Japan) for a Greek owner but was bought by a Hong Kong tycoon before
being finalized. Its main route linked Middle East with the United States. Before it
was retired in 1986, it was used as a floating store and offshore downloads on the
coast of Qatar, particularly in the Al Shaheen oil field. As it was also used as a
transportation method by Iran in its war with Iraq in 1988, it resulted badly
damaged by Iraqi aircrafts in the Strait of Hormuz. In 1989, a Norwegian company
bought it, fixed it and renamed it to Happy Giant, but before being launched again,
they renamed it once again as Jahre Viking. Then, the ship was sold to an Indian
company dedicated to scrapping ships, which changed its name to Mont and gave it
its final journey in December 2009.
Earlier, in 2004, it had ceased to be the world's largest oil ship since it became a
floating warehouse. It could not be used as a tanker anymore due to profitability
issues. Moreover, if an accident occurred when the boat was at full load, it could
cause a major ecological disaster, since all the oil cargo aboard would overflow to
the sea.
Her total weight was of 647,955 tons but at maximum load it could reach the
almost 10,000 additional tons. She was not a fast vessel, as her maximum speed
was 15 nautical miles, equivalent to 27 km/h despite the impressive steam turbine
at her disposal; it was able to produce an incredible power of 50,000 horsepower,
so with a load of 650,000 m3, she could even transport 4.1 million barrels of oil.
This means that if the price of an oil barrel is at 74 €, she could carry up to a total
of 303 million euros of oil. Interestingly enough, only 40 people were needed to
manage this boat.
Because of her 24.6 m. draft below the sea level, she could not cross the English
Channel or the Suarez Channel or the Panama Channel, if loaded. Until the
construction of the Prelude, the Knock Nevis was the largest ship ever built by
man.
Further Information in:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seawise_Giant
Container Transportation: http://www.container-transportation.com/knock-nevis.html
