The biggest engine in the world is Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C; a two stroke diesel engine used to power the Emma Maersk; a large container ship launched in 2006. Wärtsilä is based in Helsinki, Finland and they manufacture engines for large cruise ships and other marine vessels. This engine is the largest reciprocating engine in the world at 13.5 meters high and 27 meters long and weighs 2300 tonnes and has a horsepower between 49,000 and 114,000. The Emma Maersk has its own record for being the world’s biggest container ship and the world’s longest ship.

The Emma Maersk on its maiden voyage headed to the Far East to pick up soon to be Christmas presents for people in the U.K. and was therefore dubbed the S.S. Santa. After completing its festive cargo run, it returned to China with all of the holiday’s waste to be recycled.

The Emma Maersk was designed with the environment in mind although it seems ironic to me given the huge amounts of consumer goods and waste that it carries. This ship recycles its exhaust back to the engine mixed with fresh air. Another innovation is the use of silicone paint on its hull. Other ships commonly use biocides to keep barnacles off their hulls. The silicone both protects the ship from barnacles and reduces its drag in the water resulting in a savings of almost 1100 tonnes of fuel per year.