Tokyo: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines today announced that the MOL-operated iron ore carrier Brasil Maru was selected as the Ship of The Year for 2007 by The Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers. The selection committee noted that the Brasil Maru is a pioneering vessel in reducing iron ore transport cost which will have a great effect on steel production. Adoption of ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) welding technologies increases resistance to metal fatigue. In addition, 2008 marks the centennial anniversary of Japanese emigration to Brazil, and the vessel is the third generation to carry the Brasil Maru name, following two cargo and passenger liners. The new Brasil Maru is a historical vessel worthy of the centennial anniversary.
With deadweight tonnage of 320,000 tons which is one of the world's largest, it is the optimal size to transport iron ore produced in Brazil. MOL, with its customer (Nippon Steel Corporation), shipyard (Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.), and shipowner (Tamou Line S.A.) spent a year and a half studying and designing the vessel.
Starting with the Brasil Maru, more than 50 iron ore carriers in the 300,000 dwt class have been ordered around the world. "The Brasil Maru is truly the forerunner of future iron ore transport," MOL maintained in a release.
Its environmental burden per unit load is reduced by making the vessel larger (reducing CO2 emissions by 20% compared to currently used capesize bulkers). The Brasil Maru also adopts double-hull fuel tanks, an engine that meets International Marine Organization (IMO) exhaust emission standards, and the energy saving Mitsui Integrated Propeller Boss (MIPB).
The Brasil Maru is pictured making its first call at Oita with full load of iron ore from Brazil in March this year. [18/6/08]
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