The following link contains a short article on the vessel “Prelude”, recently launched by Shell.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25213845

Shell are proclaiming Prelude to be the biggest ship ever, although there is some debate as to whether Prelude, which lacks any form of motor propulsion, actually classes as a ship. Previously, Maersk held the record with M/V Emma Maersk.

The floating platform is certainly colossal however, with a length of 1,601 feet (longer than the empire state building is high).

Interestingly, Prelude will not operate as a traditional trade ship but will work in the offshore gas industry to chill and store natural gas at sea. Floating offshore storage is an increasing trend in the LNG industry but it remains to be seen whether projects of this size are the way of the future.