Vale’s accord to sell and lease four Valemax vessels to COSCO might have negative repercussions on dry bulk freight rates. Vale has committed to lease ten more vessels to COSCO, as the company is keen on Valemaxes to export bulk iron ore to China, which has adequate infrastructure to receive the giant vessels. Currently, China is forbidding the entry of Valemaxes, citing safety issues.

The entry of Valemaxes into the dry bulk market will ensure reduced transportation cost for companies and have a negative impact on the Capesize sector. Vale will be able to take advantage of economies of scale with Valemax vessels entering the market while leaving more Capes unemployed.

Vale is optimistic about the future of the iron ore market, as it expects the current phase of low iron ore prices to end soon. Iron ore prices have gone down because of low demand from China and excess supply on increased production of iron ore by Vale, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.

Our view

Drewry believes that the admission of Valemaxes into China will help reduce transport costs and create freight-rate volatility in the Capesize market. High iron ore prices lured many iron ore producers into the market, and the recent fall in iron ore prices will exterminate the small fi sh and will help the big players to control pricing in future.

Companies with world-class assets, large-scale production, effi ciency and low costs will be able to survive in the market. Moving ahead, the Chinese steel industry is also likely to welcome Valemaxes, which will help them in cost cutting and profit optimisation.