A second-generation 400,000-ton very large ore carrier, the first in the world in building, was launched to the water at the west coast new area in Qingdao, Shandong on Sept 19.

It has been undergoing outfitting works and is expected to be completed by April, 2018. Its builder Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co is a subsidiary of Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, which has contracted to build eight of such ships to serve the Brazil-China iron ore shipping routes, as part of a 30-ship fleet.

The ship measures 362 meters in length, 65 meters in breadth, and 30.4 meters in height. It is designed to have a 45.5-ton displacement and cut fuel consumption by 18.8 percent.

Its designer is the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute, commissioned by the China Ore Shipping Co, ICBC Leasing Co, and China Merchants Energy Shipping Co.

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