Affirmative views: Yes
1、Reduce carbon dioxide emissions, in line with the low-carbon economy
Calculated from a green perspective, the EEDI of a 75,000DWT oil tanker is about 4.56, while the EEDI of a 300,000-DWT oil tanker is down to 2.54. The large-sized ships can greatly reduce the carbon dioxide emission of unit transport capacity, which fits for the requirements of the low carbon economy.
2、Improve the economic performance of ship operation
It is estimated that the cost per ton of a 300,000DWT oil tanker is only 41% of the 50,000DWT oil tanker while the rental per ton of a 300,000DWT oil tanker is only 35% of the 50,000DWT oil tanker. It is obvious that large-sized ships improve the economic performance of ship operation
3、Lower steel price and transportation cost of iron ore
According to the deputy secretary-general of China Iron and Steel Association Qu Xiuli, the Vale’s mega ships to China indeed can reduce the transportation cost of iron ore, which is absolutely welcomed if it can help decrease the price of iron ore.
4、73% support rate for mega ships to China
During the vote at the 2012 International Steel and Minerals Conference by the united metal net, Chongqing Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. and the China United Steel net, about 73% attendees voted for supporting the berthing of megaships in China with only 17% opponents.
5、Beneficial to improve throughput in ports
Vale has contacted Dalian, Qingdao, Rizhao and other ports in North China. It is estimated that it can increase about 70,000,000 tons of iron ore a year. No matter out of the consideration of improving throughput or building energy hub status, Chinese ports will not oppose megaships, due to fierce competition among ports.
Negative views: no
1、A fatal blow to the domestic dry bulk fleet
According to the Head of Dalian Maritime University Word Economy Faculty Liu Bin, once the megaship fleet of Vale is allowed to operate in China, the fleet can carry about 120,000,000 tons of Vale’s ore each year, which will definitely be a fatal blow to dry bulk cargo fleet of COSCO with 260,000,000 freight volume each year.
2、Monopolize lines
Analyst of Clarksons Shanghai Li Chengshan believes that, the efficiency of Vale’s 400,000-DWT ships will be lower since the voyage will be longer than before, and the transport cost will be higher than current 300,000-DWT vessels. The only advantage is the low construction cost. At present, Vale owns most of the 400,000-DWT vessels. If they are allowed to berth in China, the dry bulk cargo lines between Brazil and China will be in the monopoly of Vale, which is even equal to move the mines in Brazil to China.
3、Endanger shipping industry in China
Chinese shipping industry has expressed its resolute objection for many times. The reasons are: first, it will bring great damages to China’s economy; second, it will cause duplicated construction of ports in China; forth, it will destroy the ecological resources in Chinese coastal areas; last but least, it will be bad for China’s national defense and coast defense.