Ore Fabrica and Ore Itagaui

Magellan, AM's eyes in Subic Bay, sent a quick note and photo last night of the operation in the inner harbour;

As of the evening of 9 March, the Ore Fabrica has discharged half her cargo into the Vale daughter vessel Ore Itaquai. Tugs have been kept standby all through - more as a safety precaution, since Ore Fabrica is currently anchored inside Subic Bay's inner anchorage - just off the Kalaklan light house. The early operation with Vale Brasil and Ore Pantanal was done in outer anchorage (south of Grande island)

The daughter vessel (Ore Itagaui) is towards us in the picture, and the Ore Fabrica is away from us. The daughter vessel will always be on the port side of the Fabrica, as that is where the shiploader is.

Tracking the 'comings and goings' at Subic Bay using Lloyd's List Intelligence, Vale are 18 days into the first (Vale Brasil) trans-shipment operation. The second vessel, Vale China, has been at anchor since 25th February (15 days now). While Ore Fabrica is a technological 'tour de force', the AM believes that the Beijing mandarins will be well satisfied at their handiwork.

As an aside, China's media are this week reporting that the Port of Dalian has opened it's new 400,000 DWT ore terminal. Somewhat ironic that China has been the beneficiary of the real financial investment in the construction of the ChinaMax ships, the conversion of the trans-loader Ore Fabrica and the construction of a 400,000 DWT ore port.

How many times can the ticket get clipped?

Antipodean Mariner

Subic Bay Trans-shipment

Subic Bay is a busy place right now with four Vale ships deployed for the trans-shipment operation.

Here's a quick head count of who's who...

Today's AIS plot shows Vale Brasil, Ore Fabrica and Ore Pantanal rafted up to tranship ore to 'Pantanal.


868,000 DWT of bulk carriers triple banked - a world first?


Ore Panatanal at anchor before berthing alongside Ore Fabrica


Ore Itagaui, another 'VLCC to VLOC' conversion awaiting her turn to berth and load.

AM's thanks Captain Paul and Magellan for their photos and updates from Subic Bay.

The Antipodean Mariner

Vale Beijing departs

Vale Beijing departed Sao Luis on Sunday 19th February, bound for Vale's Sohar pellet mill in Oman. No further ore was loaded after the structural failure alongside Ponta da Madeira and, after cargo was redistributed, she has been granted a voyage dispensation to make the one-way trip.

After discharge at Sohar, she will go to dry-dock in the Arabian Gulf for permanent repairs.

The Antipodean Mariner has been told that the structural failure was a design flaw by her Builders, STX Shipbuilding. Stiffeners on the webs were incorrectly oriented resulting in the frames with the structural integrity of corrugated cardboard. STX Pan Ocean will be wearing the off-hire and repair but Vale have suffered the greater commercial 'damage' of China's closure to the fleet.

In Subic Bay, Vale Brasil and Ore Fabrica are still rafted together after seven days. Ore Itagaui (280,000 DWT VLOC) and Ore Pantanal (180,000 DWT Cape, built 2010 Sundong) remain at anchor awaiting their opportunity to received cargo. Ore Fabrica doesn't have sufficient deadweight to receive 'Brasil's full cargo. AM's running a voyage model and will put a number on the cost of this first trans-shipment against the long run voyage cost of Brazil - China.

Sundong-built Capesize

AM