Vale rules out any impact of terminal fire on FY'21 iron ore shipments, output

Vale SA's iron ore shipments and production in 2021 will not be impacted by the recent fire at its Ponta da Madeira maritime terminal in Brazil's Maranhão state, the company said Jan. 21.

The iron ore giant explained that the terminal, which has a nominal loading capacity of 230 million tonnes per year, comprises three piers, five berths and eight ship loaders. The fire broke out Jan. 14 in ship loader 6 at pier 4, which has a second ship loader that was not affected.

Vale said it contained the fire without casualties and without environmental damage. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Boarding at pier 4 with the unaffected ship loader is expected to resume shortly.

Vale said the schedule of monthly shipments at the terminal will not be impacted due to the traditional seasonality of production in the Northern System operation amid the rainy season in northern Brazil, and Northern System's 2021 output is expected to be below 230 Mt/y.

Vale also expects to complete maintenance activities at ship loader 6 in the first half of 2021, avoiding any impact on shipments and production.