Integrated Logistics

Read about one of our iron-ore distribution routes

Start the route

Iron ore extracted in Carajás, Brazil, is transported by means of an integrated mine, railroad and port system. The first part of the route is covered by train: 892 kilometers on the Carajás Railroad to the port in São Luis, Maranhão

Trains arrive at the Ponta da Madeira Sea terminal in Maranhão – one of the world’s largest iron-ore distribution ports in the world, with deep enough draft to receive large vessels such as Valemax ships.

  • 1 - Unloading

    At the Ponta da Madeira Port Terminal, car dumpers unload ore from the trains.

  • 2 - Storage

    Iron ore is stored in the terminal stockyards.

  • 3 - Shipping

    Reclaimers then place the ore onto moving belts, which in turn convey it to the ship holds.

Valemax ships, with capacity for up to 400,000 tons of iron ore, depart for 7 ports in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. 35 such ships will be carrying out this transportation by the end of 2013.

 

In addition to ports which receive Valemax ships, Vale operates a Floating Transfer Station for iron ore in the Philippines: out at sea, ore is transferred to smaller ships which then sail into the various ports of lesser draft.