Fully laden: Port of Tubarão performs biggest loading operation in its history
Since January 2012, the Valemax class vessels have been partially loaded at Tubarão, as part of Vale's project to prepare the port to receive the world's biggest iron ore carriers. Following approval from the Brazilian Navy, the Vale Espírito Santo vessel, which is 361 metres long and 65 metres wide, and which first called at the Port of Tubarão last October, will now return to the port, from where it will leave completely laden for Oman in the Middle East. So far, the Valemax vessels have docked in 10 ports worldwide as well as two floating transfer stations in Subic Bay, in the Philippines. By the first half of 2014, the ships will also be able to call at Vale's distribution center and maritime terminal in Malaysia. The fleet's goal is to maximize the efficiency of operations and reduce the cost of shipping iron ore across the seas to steel companies. Valemax ships are considered the most ecological on the dry bulk market, as they permit a 35% reduction in carbon emissions per ton of ore transported compared with ships in other categories. By the end of this year, there will be 35 Valemax ships in all, including those owned by Vale and others chartered to operate exclusively for the company. Vale press release |