One of Bill Gates' recommended books (1) was a great read:
"Prime Movers of Globalization: The History and Impact of Diesel Engines and Gas Turbines" (2)
The very large and very slow rotating diesel engines used to power ships are incredibly efficient. Oil tankers run very slowly, gas a little faster, then bulk carriers, container ships (time value of those containers is higher than commodity oil and bulk, so they move) and fastest and least efficient of all are cruise ships. The size of some of those engines is fantastic.
"Prime Movers of Globalization: The History and Impact of Diesel Engines and Gas Turbines" (2)
The very large and very slow rotating diesel engines used to power ships are incredibly efficient. Oil tankers run very slowly, gas a little faster, then bulk carriers, container ships (time value of those containers is higher than commodity oil and bulk, so they move) and fastest and least efficient of all are cruise ships. The size of some of those engines is fantastic.
It's really nerdy and awesome.
(1) http://www.thegatesnotes.com/Books/Personal/Prime-Movers-of-... (2) http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Movers-Globalization-History-Tur...