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Ore Carrier News

08 Nov 2023

Wind-assisted Propulsion for World's Largest Ore Carrier

Vale is to install five Rotor Sails from Anemoi onboard the VLOC Sohar Max to bring significant fuel and emission savings. The Rotor Sails will be installed with Anemoi's bespoke folding deployment system to mitigate the impact on air draught and cargo handling operations. Credit: Anemoi Marine Technologies

Brazilian mining firm Vale will install five Rotor Sails from Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd (“Anemoi”), a supplier of wind-assisted propulsion technology for commercial vessels, onboard a 400,000 dwt Valemax, the world’s largest ore carrier. The vessel is owned by Omani shipowner, Asyad.Five 35-meter-tall, 5-meter-diameter cylindrical sails will be installed on the Sohar Max VLOC. The Rotor Sails will be installed on Anemoi’s folding deployment system, whereby the sails can be folded from vertical to mitigate impact on air draft and cargo handling operations.

05 Jul 2023

Iron Ore Unloaded in Record Time

Source: COSCO Shipping Bulk

On July 2, COSCO Shipping Bulk's 400,000-ton ore carrier Yuanyihai successfully completed what the company claims is the fasters unloading of iron ore in the world.The unloading operation took place in Dongjiakou Port Area of Qingdao Port. It took only 30.7 hours to complete the unloading of 375,500 tons of cargo.COSCO Shipping Bulk coordinated with the port to formulate a plan to speed up the unloading and arranged for the representative of COSCO Shipping Bulk Beijing Branch in Qingdao and the ship’s crew to cooperate on the effort.After the Yuanyihai berthed


07 Jun 2023

Interim Report Describes Grounding After Failure of Rudder Angle Indicators

Source: ATSB

An interim report from an ongoing Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation has detailed the sequence of events of a loaded iron ore carrier’s grounding in a channel while departing Port Hedland, Western Australia in 2022.The interim report details factual information but contains no analysis or findings.In the early hours of April 9, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Hagen Oldendorff departed its berth at Port Hedland, with a harbour pilot onboard. About 50 minutes after departure


06 Jun 2023

Anemoi Scales Up Rotor Sail Technology

(File photo: Anemoi Marine Technologies)

Anemoi Marine Technologies, a UK-based developer of rotor sails for the shipping industry, said it is enhancing its efforts to provide its technology for ship owners, managers and charterers to install onboard vessels as they look to decarbonize their operations.Anemoi offers a range of rotor sails, varying in height from 24 to 35m, suitable for installation and retrofitting on deep-sea vessels including bulk carriers, tankers, ferries, ro-ros, and multipurpose vessels. These


09 Oct 2022

Discovering the Largest Shipwrecks in the St. Lawrence River

The SS “Leecliffe Hall” sailing on the Welland Canal, Ontario, shortly before it sank in the St. Lawrence. (Matt Miner Collection), Author provided

Of all the rivers in the world, the St. Lawrence River is undeniably one of the most challenging for mariners.This water highway is at some spots as narrow as a large river and, at others, as wide as a small sea. It has played a vital role over the last three centuries as an important artery for trade, communication, transportation and settlement. And since 1959, the year the St. Lawrence Seaway was inaugurated, it has been a gateway to the heart of the continent.The first European explorers who sailed the St. Lawrence discovered it was not easy to master: it was long, but never calm.

04 Oct 2022

BHP to Receive Three LNG-fueled Bulk Carriers in Next 6-9 mths

BHP Group expects to receive three more bulk carriers powered partly by liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the next six to nine months, part of the company's plans to cut emissions from shipping, a senior executive said.BHP, which received its first two LNG-fuelled vessels earlier this year, has locked in some term supplies of LNG buffering the company from volatile prices and is studying the potential for biofuels, Fergus Eley, BHP's Head of Maritime Enterprise, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Singapore International Bunkering Conference and Exhibition (SIBCON) 2022.The world's largest miner and shipper of dry bulk commodities is targeting


13 Jul 2022

VIDEO: Berge Bulk to Install Anemoi Rotor Sails on Two Dry Bulk Vessels

Credit: Berge Bulk

Singapore-based dry bulk owner Berge Bulk has signed a deal with wind-assisted propulsion firm  Anemoi Marine Technologies to supply and fit two vessels in their dry bulk fleet with Anemoi Rotor Sails.Rotor Sails are large mechanical sails that harness the renewable power of the wind to reduce emissions and fuel consumption on commercial ships when driven to spin. Anemoi predicts that the four-rotor system will save Berge Bulk 1200-1500 metric tons of fuel per vessel each year.The first vessel


15 Jun 2022

Lloyd's Register Issues AIP for for 210-dwt Bulk Carrier with Rotor Sails

Image courtesy SDARI/LR

Lloyd’s Register granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for an SDARI (Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute) designed 210,000 DWT Newcastlemax bulk carrier installed with Anemoi Rotor Sails.The Newcastlemax AIP is part of a joint development project signed in 2020 with Anemoi Marine Technologies, Lloyd’s Register, and SDARI. Oldendorff Carriers is the shipowner partner for this Newcastlemax design"This has been an important project as part of Oldendorff Carriers’ commitment towards Getting to Zero," said Torsten Barenthin, Director Innovation, Oldendorff Carriers.

07 Feb 2022

BHP Unveils Its First LNG-powered Newcastlemax Ore Carrier

(Photo: BHP)

BHP Group unveiled the world's first liquefied natural gas-fueled bulk carrier vessel in Singapore on Monday, one of five vessels that the mining giant will take delivery of in 2022 as part of efforts to curb supply chain emissions.The 299-metre (981 ft) long Mt. Tourmaline Newcastlemax ore carrier was built by Eastern Pacific Shipping in China and stopped off in Singapore to take on LNG fuel. It will next head to Port Hedland in Western Australia to load iron ore that will then be shipped to customers in China.BHP


27 Oct 2021

Chinese Coal and Iron Ore Imports Down from Last Year-BIMCO

© masterskuz55 / Adobe Stock

Despite the very strong freight rates and the apparently tight market, the all-important driver for dry bulk shipping, China, has in fact seen imports of its two largest dry bulk commodities shrink year-on-year so far this year. The two largest imported commodities for China, iron ore and coal are however, interestingly on two different trajectories, as the latter could be ending the year with higher total volumes than in 2020.“The high freight rates that the dry bulk market is currently enjoying cannot directly be linked to higher volumes from the world’s largest dry bulk importer.

14 May 2021

A Newbuild VLOC is the First Wind-powered Bulk Carrier

(Photo: Vale)

Brazilian miner Vale expects to soon put into service the first-ever bulk carrier propelled partially sails, the company said on Thursday.The rotor sail-equipped newbuild, a very large ore carrier (VLOC) named Sea Zhoushan, is being built in China for owner by Pan Ocean Ship Management and will be chartered by Vale upon delivery in the coming days. Not only is Sea Zhoushan the first bulk carrier to be fitted with rotor sails, the 340-meter, 325,000 dwt vessel is also the largest ship ever to be outfitted with the fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technology


04 Feb 2021

U-Ming VLOCs Protected by Nippon Antifouling System

U Ming’s 2017-built 187,888dwt bulk carrier Cape Galaxy is one of twenty vessels to have benefited from the efficiency gains achieved with Nippon Paint Marine’s A-LF-Sea low-friction antifouling

Grand Wisdom, the second very large ore carrier (VLOC) to join the U-Ming Marine Transport fleet, has been delivered with a protective hull coating from Nippon Marine Paint’s A-LF Sea product range.Delivered in December from Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry’s shipyard in Qingdao, China, Grand Wisdom is the second in a pair of eco-friendly bulkers to join the owner’s 48-strong fleet. Sister ship Grand Pioneer, delivered in August, represented the Taipei-headquartered shipowner’s entry into the VLOC market.Motoi Takeuchi


24 Aug 2020

Wakashio Bow Section Scuttled off Mauritius

(Photo: Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio)

The bow section of the stricken bulk carrier Wakashio has been scuttled Monday after the Japanese-owned bulk carrier ran aground, spilled oil and broke apart atop a coral reef off Mauritius.Scuttling efforts commenced last week but progressed slowly due to rough sea conditions, authorities said. The front section of the ship is no longer visible as of 3:30 p.m. local time on Monday after salvors cut holes into the bulkheads of several cargo hatches to accelerate the sinking process


21 Aug 2020

Wakashio Bulk Carrier Deviated from Shipping Lane before Mauritius Impact

Image Credit: Mobilisation Nationale Wakashio

The Japanese-owned bulk carrier that ran aground off Mauritius and spilled oil over pristine waters and fragile coral reefs diverted more than 100 kilometers from a regular shipping lane, data from a maritime analysis firm showed.The MV Wakashio, owned by Nagashiki Shipping and chartered by Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, struck a coral reef on Mauritius's southeast coast on July 25 and later began leaking oil. Two of the ship's officers have since been arrested on charges of endangering


15 Jun 2020

Video: Stellar Banner Scuttled

Declared a total loss following a grounding incident, the four-year-old VLOC Stellar Banner was scuttled off the coast of Brazil. (Screenshot from video courtesy of 
AgĂȘncia Brasil)

The 340-meter-long very large ore carrier (VLOC) Stellar Banner has been scuttled off the coast of Brazil after being declared a total loss due to extensive hull damage suffered during a grounding incident.The 300,660 dwt vessel, owned and operated by the South Korean company Polaris Shipping, ran aground while carrying iron ore bound for China from Vale's terminal in Maranhão in February. The 2016-built Stellar Banner began listing heavily but did not capsize, and all 20 crew members were evacuated from the ship.The ship had been refloated and towed to deeper water after 145


09 Jun 2020

Stellar Banner to Be Scuttled Off Brazilian Coast

Stellar Banner suffered significant hull damage after running aground off the coast of Brazil in February/ (Photo: Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources)

A 340-meter-long very large ore carrier (VLOC) that ran aground off the coast of Brazil earlier this year will be scuttled due to the extent of hull damage suffered as a result of the incident, Brazilian authorities said.The 300,660 dwt Stellar Banner, owned and operated by the South Korean company Polaris Shipping, ran aground while carrying iron ore bound for China from Vale's terminal in Maranhão in February. The 2016-built ship began listing heavily but did not capsize, and


08 Jun 2020

Ore Carrier Recognized for Meteorological Contributions

Owari Maru  (Photo: NYK)

An NYK-operated ore carrier Owari Maru was awarded the Meteorological Agency's Director-General Award on June 1 for the contribution the ship has made to meteorological business development by observing marine weather conditions and transmitting observation results over an extended period of time.Every year, Japan’s minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), together with the director-general of the Japan Meteorological Agency, commend vessels that have participated in observing and reporting marine weather conditions


06 Nov 2019

K Line Orders Newcastlemax

Japanese shipping giant Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has placed an order for a 210,000 dwt bulk carrier at compatriot shipbuilder, Japan Marine United Corporation.The 108,900 gross ton vessel is being built for a consecutive voyage contract with JFE Steel and will be used to ship iron ore and coal. The newbuild is due for delivery in fiscal year 2021.The main features of this vessel will comply with NOx emission regulations (Tier III) and be equipped with SOx scrubber that removes SOx from the exhaust gas for complying with SOx emission regulations that will be enforced worldwide from January 2020.This vessel is also an energy-saving type that achieves both increased cargo weight and reduced fuel consumption compared to conventional ships


05 Aug 2019

K Line Wins AIP for New LNG-Fuelled Vessel

Japanese shipping major Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) and the shipbuilding and repairing company Namura Shipbuilding have jointly received an Approval in Principle (AIP) for the concept design of an LNG-fueled ore carrier from DNV GL."Work on this joint project for the development of an LNG-fueled ore carrier has complied with both environmental and actual operation requirements as follows, based on the second generation WOZMAX of Namura Shipyard," said a press release from the provider of container, breakbulk and roll-on, roll-off shipping.WOZMAX (registered brand of Namura Shipyard) is an optimum size of vessel that can call main West Australian iron ore loading ports


27 Jun 2019

300,000DWT Bulker Joins Berge Bulk Fleet

Singapore's dry bulk shipping company Berge Bulk has taken delivery of the second and newest 300,000DWT very large ore carrier (VLOC) in China.The new vessel, named Berge Mafadi, was delivered from the Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) yard in Guangzhou, said a press note. With a ‘Rightship A+’ rating and an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) 20% below the baseline, she ranks amongst the most energy-efficient bulk carriers in the world.Berge Mafadi has been designed to carry a maximum cargo lift from Port Hedland as well as South Africa and Brazil.The vessel is named after a peak on the border of South Africa and Lesotho. At the height of 3,450m, Mafadi is the highest mountain in the nation of South Africa.

24 Jun 2019

Market in Focus: Bulkers

© Ivan/AdobeStock

NewbuildingMany Chinese companies have been stepping up in the bulker market with COSCO Shipping and Avic leasing placing orders at Chinese yards. Of the total 313 Bulkers ordered over the past year, nearly 40% have been Panamax vessels, demonstrating the hot market.Source: Vessels ValueSecond hand marketThe Bulker market as a whole has shown a softening in values over the past year. The main reason for this is due to the drop off in rates throughout the first quarter of 2019.

22 Apr 2019

KR Responds to RMI Report on Stellar Daisy Casualty

Korean Register (KR), its Chairman, management and entire staff offers sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the seafarers who tragically lost their lives due to the sinking of Stellar Daisy. KR reaffirms its commitment to investigating the causes of the sinking, sharing its knowledge and implementing any changes necessary to avoid a similar loss in the future. The factsStellar Daisy was a 266,141 dwt Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) owned by Polaris Shipping and flagged with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). On 31 March 2017 whilst en route from Ilha Guaiba, Brazil to Qingdao and laden with iron ore fines, the ship sank in the South Atlantic Ocean around 1700 nautical miles from Uruguay and 1800 nautical miles from South Africa.

12 Mar 2019

GSI Delivers VLOC to Berge Bulk

Singapore-based vessel owner and operator Berge Bulk has received the 300,000 DWT bulk carrier Berge Logan, which was built at China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI).The 327-meter-long  very large ore carrier (VLOC) is the largest bulk carrier in terms of deadweight to be built in Southern China.Sailing under the flag of Isle of Man, she will make her maiden voyage to Brazil, said a press release.Very similar in design to Berge K2, Berge Makalu and Berge Annapurna, she is equipped with energy-efficient initiatives – such as a super-efficient tuned main engine, an economiser for the auxiliary engines and a fuel oil shifter.While the vessel has the same characteristics in terms of energy efficient initiatives, she bears certain attributes and features that are unique to her.

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