13 November 2012
Muscat: 'Vale Liwa', one of the world's largest bulk carriers, arrived to the Sultanate's shores on its maiden voyage loaded with 400,000 tonnes of iron ore from Brazil. Setting sail from Tubarao Port in Vitoria, the vessel docked at Vale's 1.4- kilometre deep water jetty in Liwa to unload its shipment for production after its month- long journey at sea.
"We understand the importance of maintaining an efficient logistics network given our extensive operations around the world. Our industrial complex in Liwa has created a just-in-time operations framework and a 'virtual iron ore mine' that together have allow us to better serve our customers in the Middle East, North Africa and Indian sub-continent region,- said Marcos Beluco, Vale's country manager.
'Vale Liwa' is the first of four very large iron ore carriers built for the company's operations in Oman through a strategic partnership with Oman Shipping Company which is valued at $500 million.
Iron ore from Brazil
The vessel was welcomed to the Sultanate by members of the community in North Al Batinah led by Sheikh Said bin Humaid Al Harthy, wali of Liwa at a special event hosted at Vale's Industrial Complex. These 362-meter-long vessels apply economies of scale to transport iron ore across the globe safely and reliably while also reducing carbon emissions by 35 per cent a tonnne, a green feature that won the company the Nor-Shipping Clean Ship Award in 2011.
"Our respect and admiration for this visionary nation has no limit and we are capitalising on the country's characteristics to leverage Oman's competitive advantage in the global industrial arena. 'Vale Liwa', 'Vale Sohar', 'Vale Saham' and 'Vale Shinas' are a tribute to these seafaring coastal cities and our way of showcasing Oman to the world,- he added.
"Over the span of five years, we have integrated our business into the fabric of the community surrounding our operations while working hand in hand to enhance the quality of living by generating jobs for local talent, developing the supply chain, establishing environmentally friendly operations and implementing social programmes to benefit the society.-
The second of the three remaining vessels, 'Vale Sohar', is scheduled to be loaded with its first shipment this week in Brazil while 'Vale Saham' and 'Vale Shinas' will enter into service during the first quarter of 2013. The Port of Sohar's unparalleled logistics capabilities and unique location outside the Gulf has the advantage of deep water seas that can accommodate Vale's large vessels, a feature very few ports in the world can boast of.
Muscat: 'Vale Liwa', one of the world's largest bulk carriers, arrived to the Sultanate's shores on its maiden voyage loaded with 400,000 tonnes of iron ore from Brazil. Setting sail from Tubarao Port in Vitoria, the vessel docked at Vale's 1.4- kilometre deep water jetty in Liwa to unload its shipment for production after its month- long journey at sea.
"We understand the importance of maintaining an efficient logistics network given our extensive operations around the world. Our industrial complex in Liwa has created a just-in-time operations framework and a 'virtual iron ore mine' that together have allow us to better serve our customers in the Middle East, North Africa and Indian sub-continent region,- said Marcos Beluco, Vale's country manager.
'Vale Liwa' is the first of four very large iron ore carriers built for the company's operations in Oman through a strategic partnership with Oman Shipping Company which is valued at $500 million.
Iron ore from Brazil
The vessel was welcomed to the Sultanate by members of the community in North Al Batinah led by Sheikh Said bin Humaid Al Harthy, wali of Liwa at a special event hosted at Vale's Industrial Complex. These 362-meter-long vessels apply economies of scale to transport iron ore across the globe safely and reliably while also reducing carbon emissions by 35 per cent a tonnne, a green feature that won the company the Nor-Shipping Clean Ship Award in 2011.
"Our respect and admiration for this visionary nation has no limit and we are capitalising on the country's characteristics to leverage Oman's competitive advantage in the global industrial arena. 'Vale Liwa', 'Vale Sohar', 'Vale Saham' and 'Vale Shinas' are a tribute to these seafaring coastal cities and our way of showcasing Oman to the world,- he added.
"Over the span of five years, we have integrated our business into the fabric of the community surrounding our operations while working hand in hand to enhance the quality of living by generating jobs for local talent, developing the supply chain, establishing environmentally friendly operations and implementing social programmes to benefit the society.-
The second of the three remaining vessels, 'Vale Sohar', is scheduled to be loaded with its first shipment this week in Brazil while 'Vale Saham' and 'Vale Shinas' will enter into service during the first quarter of 2013. The Port of Sohar's unparalleled logistics capabilities and unique location outside the Gulf has the advantage of deep water seas that can accommodate Vale's large vessels, a feature very few ports in the world can boast of.
© Times of Oman 2012
