OREANDA-NEWS. June 20, 2012. For the first time ever, Japan has received a Valemax ship, the world's biggest ore carrier with the capacity to transport up to 400,000 metric tons and capable of reducing carbon emissions by 35% per ton of ore transported. The vessel, which is operated by Vale, docked at Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC)'s Port of Oita on this Monday, June 18.

A ceremony to celebrate the ship's arrival was attended by the country manager of Vale in Switzerland, Renato Neves; NSC Director Shinichi Fujiwara; the CEO of Bergebulk, James Marshall, the ship owner; and Brazil's Ambassador to Japan, Marcos Galvao.

This was the maiden voyage of the ship, which belongs to Norwegian company Bergesen Worldwide (BW Group) and is called Berge Aconcagua. The vessel is the seventh Valemax ore carrier completed.

Read about the ship's characteristics

This type of ship is considered eco-friendly as its carbon dioxide emissions per ton of ore transported are 34% less than those of conventional ships with around 200,000 metric tons of capacity. This is because of the use of more modern equipment that consumes less diesel. Valemax ore carriers adhere to strict safety standards and will contribute to reductions in the cost of seaborne transportation of ore iron to steel companies.