Recently, the Port of Rotterdam welcomed the Vale Rio de Janeiro, the largest dry bulk carrier ever to visit Rotterdam. The vessel transports iron ore, has a load capacity of 400,000 t and a maximum depth of 23 m. https://www.rijnmond.nl/[RTV Rijnmond] shot https://www.swzonline.nl/weblog/3[this video of the vessel].
The ship was commissioned last year. Brazilian iron ore multinational Vale plans to build nineteen of these vessels, setting a new standard for iron ore transport by sea.
The Vale Rio takes the place of the Berge Stahl, which used to be the largest dry bulk carrier of the port of Rotterdam with a load capacity of 365,000 t. This vessel has been sailing from Ponta de Madeira to Rotterdam for 25 years, but is currently at the dock for repairs after which it will sail between the Netherlands and Brazil for another five years.
Picture: The Vale Rio de Janeiro (RTV Rijnmond)
