Brazil's logistics and mining company Vale announced that it has placed an order for 14 very large ore carriers. But the company, headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, is still unable to confirm where the 400,000dwt vessels, which will cost about $2Bn, will be built. This order will make Vale the largest operator of VLOCs in the world. Roger Agnelli, CEO of Vale (formerly known as CVRD), told reporters at a Japanese press conference recently that Vale had now ordered 20 VLOCs in the 400,000dwt class to serve its needs in the China trade. With five vessels and one conversion already confirmed, that leaves 14 more to be built. Although Vale is not confirming shipyard details, market sources suggested that Nantong Rongsheng yard has won the order. That would be a curious choice, given that the largest order it has so far won is for 176,000dwtCapesizes. Bohai or Dalian Number 2 would have been less of a surprise.
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