Chinamax

Chinamax is a size standard for very large dry-bulk carriers around 380,000 to 400,000 dwt, capped at 360 meters length, 65 meters beam, and 24 meters draft so the ships can call at the deep-water iron ore terminals serving China. The draft is the binding limit and restricts these vessels to a short list of dredged ports in Brazil, China, Europe, Japan, the Philippines, and Sohar in Oman. The standard arose with Vale’s iron ore trade from Brazil to China; the Valemax fleet is built to these dimensions. China initially barred the ships from its ports, which forced transshipment and a 2011 rebranding of the class. Cargo is almost entirely iron ore.