As of 2004, the biggest ship ever built was the Norwegian-owned tanker Jahre Viking (ex-Happy Giant, ex-Seawise Giant).

Built in Japan in 1979, her cargo capacity was increased when an extra section was added to her enormous hull in 1980. Over 400 metres long and measuring 260,851 gross register tons, she has a cargo capacity (deadweight tonnage) of 564,763 tons.