A Hong Kong ship management company is overseeing the day-to-day operation of the first in a series of 'Chinamax' ultra-large dry bulk cargo ships that are the biggest of their kind in the world.
The 400,000 deadweight tonne ships, which have more than double the cargo carrying capacity of a traditional 180,000 deadweight tonne capesize bulk carrier, have been dubbed Chinamax because they are the largest dry cargo ships afloat that can be handled by mainland ports.
The vessels will be used to transport iron ore from Brazil to China.
Anglo-Eastern Ship Management Services is providing the 22 crew and technical management for the first of the ships, the Vale Brasil, which is on its maiden voyage to Brazil after being delivered in March, about a month ahead of schedule.
The 360 metre long and 65 metre wide ship is the first of seven vessels that are being built by South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering for Brazilian iron ore miner, Vale. The ships, which will cost about US$130 million each, will be delivered between now and 2013.
Vale also has 12 similar-sized ore carriers on order at China Rongsheng Heavy Industries Group at a total cost of US$1.6 billion. The first of these ships was due to be delivered by last month, but the arrival has been delayed until at least August, although sources at a ship safety organisation said delivery may not take place until November.