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History

Seawise Giant

What is seawise giant?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Type ULCC supertanker[2]
Built by Sumitomo Heavy Industries[2]
Ordered 1974[2]
Delivered 1979[2]
Later names Happy Giant; Jahre Viking; Knock Nevis; Mont[2]

Seawise Giant was a ULCC supertanker and the longest self-propelled ship in history, built in Japan and delivered in 1979.

Context

Seawise Giant was a ULCC supertanker and the longest self-propelled ship in history [2]. It was built in Japan by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, ordered in 1974 and delivered in 1979 [2]. During its service, it carried several names, including Happy Giant, Jahre Viking, Knock Nevis, and Mont [2]. The ship sank during the Iran–Iraq War but was later salvaged and returned to service [3]. Its final fate was to be sold to ship breakers and demolished in Alang, Gujarat, India [1].

Documented claims

  • Seawise Giant was the longest self-propelled ship in history. [2]
  • It sank during the Iran–Iraq War and was later salvaged and returned to service. [3]
  • It was sold to ship breakers and demolished in Alang, Gujarat, India. [1]

Questions and answers

What happened to the Seawise Giant?

It sank during the Iran–Iraq War, was salvaged and returned to service, and was eventually demolished in Alang, India [3].

What is the largest ship ever built in history?

Seawise Giant is considered the longest self-propelled ship ever built [2].

Which is bigger, Titanic or Seawise Giant?

Seawise Giant was much larger than Titanic; it was the longest self-propelled ship in history [2].

Sources

  1. The fascinating story of the largest ship ever built — dailymail.co.uk (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Largest sunken ship in history Seawise Giant — wodnesprawy.pl (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Seawise Giant — aukevisser.nl (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in History