Vale VLOC Docks in Japan for First Time

'Valemax' iron ore carrier 'Berge Aconcagua' docks in Japan's Oita Port, a first for this type of ship

According to '4-Traders', Brazilian mining company Vale SA informed that its Valemax iron ore vessel--one of seven large iron ore carriers currently operated by Vale--docked in Japan for the first time.

The vessel, named the Berge Aconcagua, transported ore to Oita port for Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC).

Valemax vessels can carry 400,000 metric tons of iron ore. Vale has encountered difficulties docking Valemax vessels in China--where several of the vessels are being built--due to resistance from Chinese shipowners and alleged port handling capacity problems.