The mining division of Metinvest Group has developed the functional logistics for exporting iron ore raw materials using Capesize-class 175,000-400,000 Deadweight tonnage (DWT) vessels.
posting on the Metinvest Group’s Web site says that the Kassos Warrior, a vessel of 195,000 DWT, has been loaded and sent to China.
At present, the Mykonos bulk carrier is being prepared for sailing.
"This is first time that the raw materials extracted by the mining division of the company have been shipped in such volumes. Thus, Ukraine has become one of a group of countries that can supply bulk cargo using Capesize-class 175,000-400,000 DWT vessels. The new mechanism for sales was developed as a part of a strategy for the diversification of supplies and the expansion of sales markets for Metinvest Group," reads the release.
The combined loading of bulkers in two stages was successfully worked out during the drawing up of shipment mechanisms. In the first stage, the bulkers are loaded at ports near berths in Odesa region, and in the second stage – the vessels go to deep-waters in Kerch for full loading.
At present, the infrastructure of Ukrainian ports is not suitable for the full loading of Capesize-class vessels at port berths due to depth restrictions.
"This is a great breakthrough for Ukraine. Our country has never shipped bulk cargo using the said vessels. We’ve now achieved the maximally efficient logistics for iron ore exports by sea," reads the release, citing the honorary director of the mining division of Metinvest Group, Oleksandr Vilkul.
A bulk carrier or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds.
