400,000-tonne ore carrier sink to the bottom of the ocean

All 20 crew members were subsequently evacuated in good condition.

Before the sinking operation, the salvage team removed about 3,900 cubic meters of fuel oil and about 140,000 tonnes of iron ore from the Stellar Banner’s holds.
Vale’s massive dry bulk carriers – dubbed Valemax – were designed to service China, where some 45% of the Brazilian company’s ore exports are destined.

Vale’s 362-metre-long and 65 metre wide vessels can carry 400,000 dead-weight tonnes of iron ore.