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MOL builds up Very Large Ore Carrier fleet

MOL builds up Very Large Ore Carrier fleet

Tokyo: Mitsui OSK Lines reports the launch of the second in a series of five 320,000dwt class bulk carriers designed to transport ore from Brazil, The ships are among the world's largest ore carriers afloat although Brazilian mining giant Vale has just raised the bar considerably higher with its order for 400,000dwt veseels reported on Seatrade Asia Online yesterday.

The Tubarao Maru, built by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Ltd, will join sister Brasil Maru (pictured) in the MOL fleet and carry an estimated 1.4m tons a year of ore between the main ore ports in Brazil - Tubarao and Bonta De Madila - and Nippon Steel Corp mills in Japan on a contract of affreightment basis.

Brasi Maru was launched in December 2007, at which time she was claimed to be the world's largest ore carrier as well as the first 300,000dwt clas VLOC operated by a Japanese company. The new vessel measures 340 mtr by 60 mtr with 21.123 mtr draft.  [05/08/08]