One of Vale’s VLOCs, Vale Malaysia, docked at China’s Lianyungang port this week and left two days later, with no clear permission from the Ministry of Transport.

However, resistance from Chinese shipowners doesn’t seem to have ended. The China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) has been quick to send letters of complaint to the NDRC, MOT and Lianyungang Port Authority regarding this matter this week.

One analyst told SinoShip News he reckons that Vale Malaysia’s docking at Lianyungang was an attempt by Vale to check the attitude of the Chinese government. The VLOC also unloaded about 170,000 tons of iron ore at Subic Bay before it came to China which made Lianyuangang port’s 300,000dwt bulk terminal capable of handling the vessel.

In order to increase port throughput, a number of Chinese ports are planning or building large bulk terminals including Qingdao’s new 400,000dwt bulk terminal and are willing to receive larger vessels.

“I think Chinese shipowners should consider more about how to enhance their own competitiveness and it will only cause a lose-lose situation if they just resist Vale blindly,” the analyst added.