Chinamax
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Tonnage: | 400,000 DWT |
| Length: | 360 m (1,181 ft) |
| Beam: | 65 m (213 ft) |
| Draft: | 24 m (79 ft) |
Chinamax (also known as Valemax) is a standard of ship measurements that allow conforming ships to use various harbours when fully laden, the maximum size of such a ship being 24 m (79 ft) draft, 65 m (213 ft) beam and 360 m (1,180 ft) length overall.[1][2]
The standard was originally developed to carry very large loads of iron ore to China from Brazilian port facilities operated by mineral firm Vale.[1][2]
Correspondingly, harbours and other infrastructure that are "Chinamax-compatible" are those at which such ships can readily dock.[1][2] Unlike Suezmax and Panamax, Chinamax is not determined by locks or channels, or bridges—the Chinamax standard is aimed at port provisions and the name is derived from the massive dry-bulk (ore) shipments that China receives from around the globe.
Examples
See also
- List of Panamax ports
- Cargo ship sizes Handymax, Panamax, Suezmax, Capesize
References
- 1 2 3 "What are Chinamax Ships?". Marine Insight. 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
Brazil has been a key operator since the initial heydays of ore supplying operations to China with the Vale conglomerate strongly helping to address this demand. Although initially the most commonly utilised vessels to supply ores to the Oriental nation were the Capesize ships, in the year 2011, the company came up with its first purpose-built ore carrier ships, which came to be referred to as Chinamax ships and later on as Valemax ore carrying vessels.
- 1 2 3 "The Ultimate Guide to Ship Sizes". Maritime Security Asia. 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
These vessels were initially custom built to cater between the Chinese port facilities and the South American nation of Brazil, though presently the development of appropriate harbor facilities have ensured their applicability beyond these two regions. Also commonly famous as Valemax vessels, Chinamax ships have a Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) of up to 4,00,000 tonnes and measure about 360 meters lengthwise with a breadth of about 65 meters and a draft of about 25 meters.