Brazil Iron Ore Shipping: Ports, Ships and the Route to Asia
Brazil is one of the two largest iron ore exporters in the world. Most of the ore goes by sea to China and other steel-making countries in Asia, in the biggest ships in dry bulk.
Loading terminals
Brazilian iron ore is shipped from deep-water terminals built for large ships: the Tubarao complex near Vitoria in the south-east, the terminals of the Sepetiba bay near Rio de Janeiro, and Ponta da Madeira near Sao Luis in the north. Large mining companies run these terminals, and loading follows their programs. A charterer who is not a miner usually buys ore on a delivered or FOB basis and needs a ship that fits the terminal.
The ships
Capesize ships of 150,000 to 180,000 tonnes carry most of the ore. Very large ore carriers of 300,000 tonnes and more are used on a few fixed routes. Smaller ships, for example Panamax, take the ore to destinations where large ships cannot discharge. Ore is heavy, so a ship fills its weight limit long before its holds are full.
The route to Asia
From Brazil to China the voyage is long: it passes the Cape of Good Hope and the Indian Ocean and takes several weeks. The time of the voyage makes the freight a large part of the delivered cost, which is why the supply of ships and the freight market matter so much for this trade. The main competitor of Brazil on the same market is Australia, which is closer to China.
Moisture and safety
Iron ore fines can behave like a liquid if their moisture is too high, which is dangerous for the ship. The cargo moisture is tested and certified before loading, and the master may refuse a cargo that is outside the limits. Include the moisture rules in the contract.
Charter types
Single cargoes are fixed on a voyage charter; large miners and steel makers use contracts of affreightment for regular shipments and time charters to secure ships. Read coal, iron ore and mineral shipping for the general picture.
What to write in your request
The quantity and the size of ship you accept, the loading terminal, the discharging port and its draft, the laycan, the loading and discharging rates, and the moisture and cargo documents. See freight rates explained for how the offers are quoted.
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