The Vale Fleet
We operate Vale and chartered
ships and tugs:
170,000 tons
Capesize
Capesize ships earned their name because they were too big to navigate the Panama and Suez
Canals. To cross the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, they had to negotiate the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn.
Up to 365,000 tons
VLOC
At the beginning of 2000, growth in Chinese demand led Vale to study the use of large-scale ships,
or Very Large Ore Carriers. These vessels made the journey between Brazil, home to our main operations, and Asia.
400,000 tons
Valemax
These are the biggest mineral ships in the world, with 2.3 times the capacity of Capesize vessels.
By cutting down on the number of voyages, Valemax ships also reduce gas emissions and environmental risks.
Tugs
Vale has its own fleet of tugs, designed to maneuver ships in our terminals and ports, enhancing efficiency and safety in these operations