Brazilian iron ore’s voyages troubled

A second vessel contracted to haul iron ore for Brazilian miner Vale was delayed for repairs after the loss of a similar ship that mysteriously sank en route to China, leaving 22 people presumed dead.

The Stellar Queen departed Vale’s port terminal in northeastern Brazil on May 7 carrying about 300,000 tons of ore, according to the Rio de Janeiro-based company’s website. 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 Maranhao state port authority said last week by email. The port authority finally authorized the ship’s departure on May 26.

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, its owner said at the time.

All three vessels are dry-bulk carriers more than 20 years old owned and operated by Polaris Shipping Co., and all were converted from crude-oil tankers. Seoul, South Korea-based Polaris didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The Stellar Daisy disappeared about 1,700 miles off the coast of Uruguay while carrying 260,000 tons of iron ore, Polaris said in a statement on April 7. Two crewmen survived. Polaris hasn’t officially said what caused the sinking.