History of Ship in Timeline

A ship is a large watercraft used for transportation across water, carrying cargo, passengers, or supporting specialized tasks. Ships differ from boats in size, shape, and purpose and have played a crucial role in exploration, trade, warfare, migration, colonization, and scientific endeavors. Ship transport accounts for the largest share of global commerce.

1954: Discovery of the Khufu ship

In 1954, the Khufu ship, an ancient Egyptian vessel measuring 143 feet (44 m) in length, was discovered intact near the Great Pyramid of Giza, where it had been entombed around 2500 BC.

1982: Introduction of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Black Sea

In 1982, the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi was introduced to the Black Sea, believed to have been transported via a ship's ballast water.

1984: Anchovy catch declines

In 1984, the anchovy catch was 204,000 tonnes. Sprat was 24,600 tonnes and Horse mackerel was 4,000 tonnes.

1987: The Great Storm of 1987

In 1987, the removal of a weather ship became a negative factor in weather forecasts leading up to the Great Storm.

1988: Mnemiopsis leidyi wreaks havoc upon the local fishing industry

By 1988, the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi's population exponentially increased, causing significant damage to the local fishing industry in the Black Sea.

March 1989: Exxon Valdez oil spill

In March 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground, spilling 10,800,000 US gallons (40,880,000 L) of oil into the ocean, resulting in the death of over 400,000 seabirds, about 1,000 sea otters, and immense numbers of fish.

1990: Oil Pollution Act of 1990 passed in the United States

In 1990, following the Exxon Valdez spill, the United States passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA-90), stipulating that all tankers entering its waters be double-hulled by 2015.

1993: Anchovy, sprat, and horse mackerel catches decline

By 1993, the anchovy catch sharply declined to 200 tonnes. Sprat declined to 12,000 tonnes and Horse mackerel declined to zero.

1996: E.M. Ford sailing the lakes

In 1996, E.M. Ford, built in 1898 as Presque Isle, was sailing the lakes 98 years later.

1999: Sinking of Erika

In 1999, after the sinking of Erika, the European Union passed anti-pollution packages (Erika I, II, and III).

2000: Majapahit attacked Pasai

In 2000, Majapahit attacked Pasai with about 400 jongs.

2002: Sinking of Prestige

In 2002, following the sinking of Prestige, the European Union passed stringent anti-pollution packages (Erika I, II, and III).

2004: World fishing fleet consists of some 4 million vessels

As of 2004, the world's fishing fleet consisted of some 4 million vessels, including 1.3 million decked vessels and the rest were open vessels. Most decked vessels were mechanized, but two-thirds of the open vessels were traditional craft propelled by sails and oars.

2004: Marine capture fishery catches 85,800,000 tonnes of fish

In 2004, 85,800,000 tonnes (84,400,000 long tons; 94,600,000 short tons) of fish were caught in the marine capture fishery. Anchoveta represented the largest single catch at 10,700,000 tonnes.

2004: UN FAO estimates 4 million fishing vessels operating worldwide

In 2004, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that 4 million fishing vessels were operating worldwide and that the world's 29 million fishermen caught 85,800,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish.

2005: Lakers older than 20 years of age

As of 2005, all lakers were over 20 years of age, with many older than 50 years, due to the less corrosive nature of freshwater lakes compared to saltwater oceans.

March 2006: Battleships removed from U.S. Naval Vessel Register

In March 2006, the last battleships were removed from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register, signifying their obsolescence due to carrier-borne aircraft and guided missiles.

2007: E.M. Ford afloat as stationary transfer vessel

As of 2007, E.M. Ford was still afloat as a stationary transfer vessel at a riverside cement silo in Saginaw, Michigan.

2008: World Warships Operating

In 2008, there were 1,240 warships operating in the world, not counting small vessels such as patrol boats. The United States accounted for 3 million tons worth of these vessels, Russia 1.35 million tons, the United Kingdom 504,660 tons and China 402,830 tons.

January 2010: Last weather ship decommissioned

On January 1, 2010, the last weather ship, Polarfront, known as weather station M ("Mike"), was put out of operation.

2010: Air pollution from ships

By 2010, it was estimated that up to 40% of air pollution over land could come from ships.

2010: EU requires double-hulled tankers

By 2010, the European Union required all tankers entering its waters to be double-hulled as part of its anti-pollution packages.

2013: SS St. Marys Challenger converted into a barge

In 2013, SS St. Marys Challenger, built in 1906 as William P Snyder, was converted into a barge.

2016: World merchant ships statistics in 2016

In 2016, there were more than 49,000 merchant ships globally, totaling almost 1.8 billion deadweight tons. Of these ships, 28% were oil tankers, 43% were bulk carriers, and 13% were container ships.

2018: Cargo carried by ships in 2018

In 2018, ships carried 11 billion tons of cargo, an increase of 2.7% from the previous year.

2019: Lloyd's Register of Shipping switches to "it"

By 2019, the Lloyd's Register of Shipping switched to referring to ships as "it", moving away from the traditional use of female grammatical gender.

2019: World's fleet included 51,684 commercial vessels

By 2019, the world's fleet included 51,684 commercial vessels with a gross tonnage of more than 1,000 tons, totaling 1.96 billion tons.

2020: Shipping traffic to and from the United States is projected to double by 2020

By 2020, the projection was that shipping traffic to and from the United States would double, exacerbating ship pollution issues that affect biodiversity, climate, food, and human health.

2023: Shipbuilding concentrated in three countries

In 2023, the majority of the world's ships (95% of global output) were built in just three countries: China, South Korea and Japan.

2023: Global growth of ships

In 2023, the number of ships globally grew by 3.4%.

2024: Renewed interest in wind power for ships

As of 2024, wind power for ships had received renewed interest for its potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

2024: Shift towards alternative ship fuels

In 2024, new ships are increasingly being built with alternative fuel capability to increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. Alternative ship fuels include LNG, LPG, methanol, biofuel, ammonia and hydrogen among others.

2024: Global cargo capacity of ships in 2024

In 2024, ships had a global cargo capacity of 2.4 billion tons, with the three largest classes being ships carrying dry bulk (43%), oil tankers (28%) and container ships (14%).