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China Merchants to build 10 VLOCs for Vale contract

In the continued signs of a thaw from China over Valemaxes China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) is to order 10 VLOCs for contracts with Vale.

Marcus Hand, Editor

September 27, 2014

1 Min Read
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The Brazilian mining giant announced on Friday that it had signed a framework agreement for strategic cooperation with China Merchants Group in Beijing.

Vale said the agreement covered a contract of affreightment (COA) over 25 years between China Merchants and the mining company.

The COA would be service by China Merchants ordering 10 VLOCs.

The move comes two weeks after Cosco signed a deal to buy and charter back four Valemexes from Vale and to order similar VLOC newbuildings.

Vale has 34 VLOCs in the 380,000 dwt to 400,000 dwt which it built to ship exported iron ore from Brazil to China. However, since the first vessel was delivered in 2011 they have been banned from entering Chinese ports, and forced to tranship in Philippines or Malaysia.

Although the ban has not officially lifted the agreements with Cosco and now China Merchants are expected to see it being removed. With the latest agreement Vale would have fleet of 54 VLOCs at its disposal.

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About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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