OREANDA-NEWS. January 25, 2013. Vale will perform its first iron ore shipment to its global steel and mining company customer ArcelorMittal using a Valemax vessel to be discharged at the port of Rotterdam. The Berge Jaya, chartered by Vale, is scheduled to berth at Rotterdam's EMO dry bulk terminal this week. This is the second voyage of the vessel, built by Chinese shipyard Bohai. The Valemax ship is the world's largest ore carrier, has a capacity to transport up to 400,000 tons of iron ore and allows for 35% less carbon emission per ton of ore transported compared to earlier generation ships.

The Valemax vessels have regularly served customers berthing at international ports, including Italian steelmaker Ilva (Taranto port), German steelmaker Rogesa (Rotterdam's EMO terminal), and ThyssenKrupp and HKM, also from Germany, (Rotterdam's EECV terminal).

In addition to Taranto and Rotterdam, the Valemax ships have called at the ports of Villanueva (Philippines), Tubarao and Ponta da Madeira (Brazil), Sohar (Oman) and Oita (Japan) as well as Vale's floating transfer station in Subic Bay, in the Philippines. Today, there are 23 Valemax class vessels in operation. By the end of 2013, there will be a total of 35 similar vessels available to transport Vale's iron ore - 19 owned by Vale and 16 chartered from international shipowners.

The Valemax vessels are considered the most environmental friendly ships in the dry bulk market. They are the most suitable vessels to transport iron ore as they have been specifically designed to be "iron ore carriers" since the ship's design allows for minimal cargo movement as compared to traditional dry bulk carriers. Valemax ore carriers adhere to strict safety standards and will contribute to reductions in the cost of seaborne transportation of iron ore to steel companies.