Brazilian iron ore behemoth Vale has signed contracts with Brazilian steelmaker Gerdau Açominas to transport steel products and coal using its logistics infrastructure, namely Vitória Minas Railroad (EFVM) and Praia Mole Terminal (TPM) in Espírito Santo, over the next three years.
According to a Vale statement, in 2010 it is envisaged that 4.5 million mt of freight will be transported under the deal, rising to 6.2 million mt in 2012. The miner said that this is the largest freight transport deal ever made with Gerdau Açominas, one of Vale's three biggest steelmaking clients.
The steel products will be transported on the EFVM from Gerdau Açominas' plant in Ouro Branco, Minas Gerais, to TPM at Tubarão Complex in Espírito Santo. Vale will also receive the coal that Gerdau imports at TPM and will convey it along the EFVM to the steel plant in Ouro Branco.