Subic sitrep

Ore Pantanal (179,385 DWT) sailed for Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Vale Brasil and Ore Fabrica are rafted up at anchor off Subic Bay.

Ore Itagaui remains at anchor in the inner Bay and has not yet moved out to receive cargo.

Vale China has arrived at Subic Bay with the another 400,000 tonnes. Ocean Creation (207,000 DWT) is bound for Subic from Japan - possibly the next off-take vessel?

With some commissioning 'teething problems' of Ore Fabrica to be expected, still more ships arriving than leaving...

PS: Thanks for the comment posted anonymously, leading the AM to the Bedeschi.it website which has hi-res photos of Brasil, Fabrica and Pantanal rafted-up in Subic. The relative size of 'Brasil to 'Pantanal - no lightweight at 180,000 DWT - is amazing.

The Antipodean Mariner

Vale Beijing and Subic Bay

A brief wrap of news from Vale’s ChinaMax ‘Vale Beijing’ and their ore trans-shipment hub in Subic Bay.

Reliable sources have told the Antipodean Mariner that Vale Beijing’s structural failure is pointing towards a ‘mis-communication’ in the design phase by STX. The parallel body deign of the ships was the role of one team and the bow/stern area another. The modular construction of the hull blocks at the Yard lead to the longitudinal strength members in the parallel body not aligning with the corresponding strength members in the stern part. STX are apparently modifying the remaining ships under construction.

‘Vale China’ is en route to Subic Bay, Vale’s trans-shipment zone in the Philippines reporting an ETA of 222^nd February.



Ore Fabrica (ex VLCC Front Duchess) has been converted into a floating ore terminal with offset cranes, conveyors and ship loader, and has sailed from China for Subic Bay, ETA 30^th January. The Antipodean Mariner is heading to Subic Bay next week and will try to get some good oil and photos of the Ore Fabrica.

AM