China Rongsheng Heavy Industries delivers two 380,000 dwt Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC) to Vale S.A. & Oman Shipping Co.
Christened as “VALE HEBEI” and “VALE SOHAR”, the latter new-building passed all inspections and surveys after just one week of sea trials.
Despite the ongoing challenges on the shipbuilding industry brought about by the global financial crisis and the European debt crisis, China Rongsheng Heavy Industries’ delivery plan has not been readily impacted, and so far this year Rongsheng has delivered five VLOC's, with another four already launched and being outfitted.
Both Vale and Oman Shipping are long-term customers and strategic partners of China Rongsheng Heavy Industries. The VLOC's built for Vale and Oman Shipping adopt an environmentally friendly design to lower fuel consumption and reduce emission of SOx and NOx, while the operating efficiency is also better than most existing ore carriers.
With an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) recorded at approximately 1.99 during sea trials, these new-buildings VLOC's align with the low-carbon green product concept and meet the benchmark requirements on emission reduction set by International Maritime Organization (IMO) which will come into effect as of January 1 in 2013.