Vales Giant Completes Maiden Voyage, Sails for Singapore

After its momentous maiden voyage to the Chinese port of Dalian, the giant Vale dry bulk ship, Berge Everest, has unloaded all or nearly all of its hefty iron ore cargo and now is en route to Singapore, according to a signal from the vessel.

The Berge Everest, operated for mining heavy hitter Vale SA, arrived at Dalian with a draft of 21.3-m and departed at 14.4-m, demonstrating that Chinese officials finally cleared the carrier to unload after months of uncertainty and delays for the mega ships.

PHOTO: BergeBulk-operated for Vale, Berge Everest.

According to Reuters Freightviews, the 388,000-tonne vessel departed from Dalian over the weekend to the shipping hub of Singapore, where Berge Everest will likely refuel and prepare for its voyage back to Brazil.

Of the five other “Valemax” ships already out on the sea, it is unclear whether any of them will be given permission to dock at Chinese ports following Berge Everest’s docking, as Chinese shipowners and steelmakers still fear the Brazilian mega ships will monopolize the shipping and iron ore markets for China.

Shipping data has shown that two of the vessels are heading back to Brazil, two are in Europe, and the stricken Vale Beijing is still anchored at a Brazilian port.