China wants to set up a partnership with Brazilian miner Vale to tranship iron ore from its massive valemaxes, which are banned from Chinese ports.

Vale’s fleet of 400,000 dwt VLOCs have only made two calls at Chinese ports since the first vessel Vale Brasil was delivered in 2011.

The ore carriers are officially banned from Chinese port over safety concerns, but the China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) has also vehemently opposed the vessels being allowed to call in China.

"Our transport department has every interest in discussing and resolving this matter, including options such as setting up a partnership to tranship the iron ore and thus work together to lower freight costs," Chinese Ambassador to Brazil Li Jinzhang told reporters at a conference in Brasilia, Reuters reported.

At present Vale tranships iron ore cargoes on valemaxes from Brazil to China to smaller vessels either in Malaysia or the Philippines.