China’s third-largest shipbuilder, Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries Co. Ltd and the world’s biggest iron ore supplier, Brazilian company Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (VALE) have concluded an order for building 12 very large ore carriers (VLOC), making it the world’s largest shipbuilding order ever contracted. DNV is awarded to class all the 12 vessels.
The shipbuilding contracts for 12 VLOCs were signed in Shanghai August 3rd, 2008. The ore carriers, which will be 360 meters long, 65 meters wide and 30.4 meters high, with the loading capacity to 400,000 deadweight tonnes each are the world’s largest ore carriers ever contracted, and with the total deadweight up to 4.8 million tonnes of all the vessels, this is the largest shipbuilding order ever contracted in the world to date.
The first vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2011. All vessels will be operated on a fixed route transporting iron ore between Brazil and China.
These vessels will set a new standard in the world shipping community. With an innovative design, they will not only be the largest but also aiming to be the best vessels for carriage of iron ore. They are designed for a record-low carbon footprint, and for long-lasting, effective, and reliable operation.
Also, the vessels are being designed with special attention to fatigue life and efficient loading operations, and will apply the new DNV class notation EL-2 (Easy Loading). EL-2 ensures a design that combines safety with loading flexibility, and it will allow the vessels to load each cargo hold in one pass.
“DNV is pleased to be the selected class society for this pioneering project.” says DNV Maritime’s COO Tor E. Svensen. “Our role as an independent third party is to ensure that the quality and safety of these vessels are taken care of both during design, construction and operation.”
Mr. Svensen continues, “We have over the past few years seen a shift towards the building of larger bulk carriers. This has an obvious economical rationale for the large iron ore trades. However, it has also significant environmental benefits.
The step up from a standard Capsize bulk carrier to these 400,000 dwt VLOCs means a reduction by between 30 and 40 % in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for each tonne of cargo carried. This is a significant reduction in carbon footprint per unit cargo carried.
As a world leading class society, and with more than 70 per cent market share of the world’s existing fleet of VLOCs, DNV will provide quality and professional class services to this demanding project with strong competence, technology and experiences,” concludes Mr. Svensen.
About RSHI
RSHI is the world’s top 10 largest shipbuilder and the third-largest in China measured by its orderbook size. Based in China’s Jiangsu Rugao, RSHI has a workforce of over 10,000 employees.
About VALE
VALE is a global company that works diligently to transform mineral resources into essential ingredients of people’s everyday lives. It is the world’s largest iron ore producer and exporter. Headquartered in Brazil, it has a workforce of over 100,000 employees, including outsourced workers.