Vale’s iron-ore carriers jinxed?

rio de janeiro — A second vessel contracted to haul iron ore for Brazilian miner Vale was delayed for repairs following the loss of a similar ship that mysteriously sank en route to China.

The Stellar Queen departed Vale’s port terminal in northeastern Brazil on May 7 carrying almost 300,000 metric tonnes of ore. However, the ship then stayed anchored in a nearby bay for nearly three weeks after the commandant discovered cracking on the main deck and decided to delay the voyage until repairs could be made. The port authority finally authorised the ship’s departure on May 26.

Korean Register, the agency responsible for regularly surveying the Stellar Queen, said last week the ship underwent a survey and was being repaired in Brazil at the request of the owner.

A third vessel carrying Vale iron ore, the Stellar Unicorn, was also forced to have repairs after a crack was discovered on the outer hull of a tank in April. That vessel was surveyed before moving on to China for discharge.

All three vessels are more than 20-year-old dry-bulk carriers owned and operated by Polaris Shipping and were converted from crude-oil tankers.

The Stellar Daisy went missing about 2,700 kilometres off the coast of Uruguay while carrying 260,000 tonnes of iron ore, Polaris said on April 7. All but two members of the crew are presumed dead. “Two crew members whom are confirmed to be Philippine nationals have safely been recovered and are being repatriated to their families,” Polaris said. The survivors told authorities the vessel had broken in two.

The Stellar ships are so-called Very Large Ore Carriers, or VLOCs, that were converted from crude-oil carriers. Polaris said in April it had initiated an internal inspection of all 18 VLOC vessels in its fleet, and would subject each to an independent inspection.

“Polaris Shipping is fully committed to ensuring the safety of its VLOC converted fleet and their crews following the loss of the Stellar Daisy,” the company said.—