The Ukrainian mining and steel producing company Metinvest Holding (Metinvest) has announced that it has commenced deliveries of iron ore for export with capsize bulk freights of 175,00-400,000 mt deadweight.
Accordingly, in November this year the first capesize bulker - named Kassos Warrior and with a freight-carrying capacity of 195,000 mt - loaded with iron ore products manufactured by Metinvest enterprises departed for China. Currently, the second vessel of similar class, the bulker Mykonos, is being loaded.
"This is the first time that raw materials produced by Metinvest's Iron ore Division are shipped for export in such volumes. Thus, Ukraine has joined the club of countries effecting capsize bulk freight deliveries (deadweight of 175,000-400,000 mt). The new marketing arrangements have been developed as a part of the strategy for deliveries diversification and for the expansion of Metinvest group's sales markets," reads the company's statement.
As per the statement, the two-stage method of the loading of bulkers has been successfully implemented in the course of the development of shipping mechanisms. During the first stage the bulker is loaded at berth in ports in the Odessa region. At the second stage, the bulker passes to deep water anchorage in Kerch to accomplish loading to a full draft.
Currently, the infrastructure of Ukrainian ports does not allow loading of capesize vessels to a full draft at berth due to depth restrictions.
"This is a real breakthrough for Ukraine, as there have never been any capesize shipments of bulk freights before. As of today, we have achieved the maximum efficiency in the sea exports of iron ore," Metinvest's honorary director of its iron ore division, Alexander Vilkul, stated.