OREANDA-NEWS. February 03, 2012. China, the world’s largest iron-ore consumer, tightened rules for ports that handle very large ore ships and oil tankers to ensure safety standards, restricting Vale SA’s plans to serve its main customer with giant carriers.

Harbors will need to get permission from China’s ministry of transport to handle vessels bigger than their designated capacity, according to a notice on the department’s website today. Ports and ship operators have generally dealt with such cases individually, it said.

The ministry will take a more active role in enforcing rules drawn up in 2006 because bigger ships present “hidden dangers,” it said in today’s notice. China will increase checks on large ships because of a history of safety problems at ports around the country, according to the statement. Ports need to draw up designated routes for larger ships and emergency plans, according to earlier rules.

Shipping lines and commodity companies are introducing bigger vessels to help meet Chinese demand and to counter rising fuel costs. Rio de Janeiro-based Vale, the world’s largest iron- ore producer, is spending at least USD8.1 billion buying 19 very large ore carriers and leasing another 16 in long-term contracts, as it seeks lower freight costs from Brazil to China. Vale has said it may sell some of its large ships.

Vale’s plan has spurred opposition from Chinese shipowners who say it will worsen overcapacity and cause industry wide losses.