Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp (NSSMC), the largest steel producer in Japan, intends to replace its fleet of chartered-in capesize vessels with nine super-cape vessels of 230-250,000 dwt each.

According to the U.S. shipbroker Compass Maritime, the very large ore carriers (VLOCs) will be chartered on periods of 8 to 15 years from four Japanese shipowners.

The broker stated that Mitsui OSK Lines will charter three VLOCs , and NS United, K Line and NYK will charter two vessels each. The ships are expected to be delivered in 2018 and 2019.

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