World’s largest ultra-large dry bulk vessel passes through new Bohai deep-water channel

by The Editorial Team

On September 22, “MV YUAN JIN HAI”, a vessel operated by COSCO SHIPPING Bulk, passed through the new channel in the central Bohai Sea with a full load and safely berthed at No. 5 Ore Terminal in Caofeidian Port Area, Tangshan Port, Hebei Province.

The vessel marked the successful launch of the “new channel” for 400,000-TEU giant ships to enter and exit the deep-water route of the Bohai Sea.

MV YUAN JIN HAI loaded 390,200 tons of iron ore, broke the three records of maximum cargo volume, maximum deadweight tonnage and maximum draught for ultra-large dry bulk carriers berthing at the port.

As the world’s largest ultra-large dry bulk vessel, MV YUAN JIN HAI is one of the vessels tailor-made by COSCO SHIPPING Bulk to transport iron ore.

For years, due to the limitation of the Bohai Bay shipping route, it has been a big challenge for 400,000-TEU ultra-large vessels to realize the full-load direct call to Caofeidian Port.

To enable the vessels to enter and exit Bohai Bay safely with a full load, COSCO SHIPPING Bulk investigated the hydro-meteorological conditions, navigation control and pilotage berthing in collaboration with the local maritime bureau, the port and pilot stations.

By making early arrangements through onshore-offshore cooperation, the company finally managed to identify a new route with a water depth that could meet the safe navigation requirement of 400,000-TEU ships with a full load, thus making the berthing of MV YUAN JIN HAI possible.