This month, Shandong Marine Group and Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation - CSSC) have once again joined forces. They formally signed the Construction Agreement for 10 Units of 325,000 DWT Methanol Dual-Fuel Newcastlemax Ore Carriers and a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement.

The 10 new vessels signed are GuaibaMax-type 325,000 DWT methanol dual-fuel VLOCs. They represent the "SIRIUS – 325K VLOC," a flagship design within the Sirius series of ore carriers independently developed by China Ship Design & Research Center (CSDC). This series integrates cutting-edge technologies including methanol fuel, rotor sails, and intelligent navigation systems. Characterized by energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high operational performance, they are the next generation of the world's largest ore carriers serving Brazil's Guaiba Port, meeting the latest requirements of Vale S.A. and tailor-made for the China-Brazil shipping route.

As the designer, CSDC has consistently been committed to the development of green shipping. This VLOC order further demonstrates CSDC's leading position in the design of large ore carriers.

As the shipping industry enters a new era of decarbonization, CSDC, with its outstanding performance in low-carbon vessel design, is attracting significant market attention.