A vessel reportedly transporting Vale’s iron ore out of the company’s Port of Ponta da Madeira, in north Brazil, and bound for China may sink, according to media reports.
A media report by R7 noted the Polaris-owned vessel was transporting minerals, likely iron ore. A separate media report by Reuters could not confirm which product, if any, the vessel was transporting. Vale uses its Port of Ponta da Madeira to export iron ore.
Vale said the vessel suffered a bow damage still at the port’s access channel. All 20 crew members were reportedly evacuated, and Vale said the ship had to employ a “stranding” maneuver.