Vale Brasil, the biggest ore carrier in the world, with a 400,000 metric tonne capacity, is also the cleanest. On May 24, in Oslo, Norway, the vessel was given the Nor-Shipping Clean Ship Award, in recognition of its 35% reduction in carbon emissions per ton of ore transported compared with a traditional ship of around 200,000 metric tonnes.
The reduction is due to Vale Brasil’s use of cutting-edge technology in equipment and the fact that it has a pioneering design maximizing energy efficiency. The Nor-Shipping trade fair is one of the most important events in the global shipping calendar. It is organized by Norges Varemesse every two years, and sponsored by Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
Ship is loaded for the first time
The first of 19 ships ordered by Vale from shipyards in South Korea and China, Vale Brasil is 362 meters long and 65 meter wide, and arrived in Brazil on May 5. It was loaded for the first time – with 391,000 tons of iron ore – on May 24, at Pier I of Ponta da Madeira Port Terminal (TPPM) in São Luís, Maranhão, and is now sailing for the Port of Dalian in China.
Besides owning these 19 ships, Vale will have an additional 16 vessels with the same dimensions, which will operate exclusively for the company under long-term contracts signed with ship owner partners. All of these 35 ships are due to be delivered between 2011 and 2013.
Vale Brasil is the latest milestone in Vale’s long history of investment in logistics and infrastructure, a key element for the competitiveness of Brazilian iron ore on the international market. The company invested US$9 billion over the last six years and, in 2011 alone, a further US$5 billion will be invested in the integrated mine-railroad-port-shipping chain.
Find out more about Vale Brasil