Acceptance of the "VALE MAX" Large-sized Raw Material Transport Vessel at Kashima Works
Jun. 20, 2014
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (representative director and president: Kosei Shindo; hereinafter referred to as “NSSMC”) has recently accepted at its Kashima Works on a trial basis a 400,000 ton-class large-sized raw material carrier (commonly known as the “Vale Max”) operated by Brazil’s Vale S.A.—the largest iron ore supplier in the world. The Vale Max is the largest iron ore transport vessel that has been accepted into Japan, and this is its first entry into NSSMC’s Kashima Works.
NSSMC has already accepted the Vale Max at its Oita Works and Kimitsu Works, but not at Kashima Works, until this time. The vessel was unloaded at NSSMC’s Oita Works, Kimitsu Works, and Kashima Works during her recent cruise, which has demonstrated the potential of the NSSMC’s port and harbor infrastructure in terms of the acceptance of large-sized vessels. NSSMC has realized the acceptance of the Vale Max at its Kashima Works as a part of its efforts to pursue the merits of the integration of its operations.
NSSMC is determined to continue various efforts to reduce the transportation cost of raw materials.
Outline of the accepted vessel
Name: Vale Brasil
Owner: Vale S.A.
Other information:
Deadweight capacity: 402,000 tons; total length: 362 m;
vessel width: 65 m; loaded waterline: 23 m; completed in March 2011
Record of acceptance of the Vale Max by NSSMC
Time | Name of vessel | Port of unloading | Accepted volume (total) |
Jun. 2012 | Berge Aconcagua | Oita | Approx. 200,000 tons |
Jan. 2013 | Vale Brasil | Oita, Kimitsu | Approx. 400,000 tons |
May. 2013 | Vale Italia | Oita, Kimitsu | Approx. 400,000 tons |
Aug. 2013 | Vale Malaysia | Oita, Kimitsu | Approx. 400,000 tons |
Nov. 2013 | Vale Minas Gerais | Oita, Kimitsu | Approx. 400,000 tons |
Feb. 2014 | Vale Hebei | Oita, Kimitsu | Approx. 400,000 tons |
Jun. 2014 | Vale Brasil | Oita, Kimitsu, Kashima | Approx. 400,000 tons |

For further information, please contact Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation.
Public Relations Center, General Administration Div.
Tel: +81-3-6867-5807 or 2146