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NSSMC accepts first VLOC at Kashima works

Japan’s Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC) has received a very large ore carrier (VLOC) at its Kashima works for the first time, the company announced late last week.

June 23, 2014
By Generic people page

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The 400,000-tonne iron ore carrier named Vale Brasil is part of Brazilian miner Vale’s fleet of giant Valemax ore carriers and arrived at NSSMC’s Kashima plant on the east coast of Japan a trial basis.

NSSMC already accepted VLOCs at both its Oita Works in June 2012 and its Kimitsu Works in January 2013. The Valemax arrival at Oita was also the vessel’s first entry into Japan.

Since June 2012, NSSMC has received a total of 2.6 million tonnes of iron ore from Valemax carriers, according to NSSMC.

The arrival of VLOCs at NSSMC’s ports has demonstrated the potential of its port and harbor infrastructure in terms of accepting large-sized vessels, the company said. NSSMC is “determined” to continue various efforts to reduce transportation cost of raw materials, it added.