According to Alphabulk, Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE), the biggest iron-ore exporter of the world has paid approximately $158 million more in the last 19 months for shipping by means of biggest carriers available rather than undersized vessels.
The amount above has been arrived by comparing the cost incurred by the company using Valemaxes comparative to Capesizes. The larger ship cost was elevated due to a fall in the rates of Capesizes and the limitations that thwarted Valemaxes berthing in China ports which is the largest buyer of iron-ore.
Around $2.3 billion is being spent by the company on 19 Valemaxes as an approach towards management of its cost of shipping to Asia. Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) is based in Rio de Janeiro and it has a contract of 25 years which is currently valued at $5.84 billion with Seoul-based shipping firm, STX Pan Ocean Co. To pull the ore from Brazil. Eight Valemaxes have been ordered by STX.
The trade for the first Valemax commenced in May 2011 which have increased to a total of 21 in the fleet which contributes in aggregate hauling of 7.1 million tons of ore, as per the approximation by Alphabulk. This equals to the transacting of 100 voyages on Capesizes. Of the entire iron ore shipped from Brazil, approximately 12.5 percent will use Valemaxes for the shipping by the time the whole of the ordered ships is set in operation the next year, said Alphabulk.
In the statement by the company on November 14, at the next year’s end, Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) will be the owner of in total 35 Valemaxes. Each of these Valemaxes has the supporting capacity of 400,000 tons, accessibility for the iron ore transportation. The total of 35 Valemaxes is arrived at by 19 that are already owned by the company and the remaining 16 on charters of the long-term.
There would be a saving of $380 million a year or carrying of each tonne of ore for $7 by Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) if it replaces Valemax convoy of fleet with half the seized ships and which would be capable of being called at approximately 80percent of all ports. The curbs by China on Valemaxes should be maintained for the above calculation to be correct.
It is believed that the freight costs of the company will be assisted to be kept low with Valemaxes and as of now this is the priority concern for the company.
Shares of Vale SA (ADR) (NYSE:VALE) were up by 0.94% to close at $20.46.
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