Integrated barge transport project for mineral cargo

In November 1995 an integrated logistics project was presented between ACBL (American Commercial Barge Line) and Companhia Vale do Rio Doce for the transport of mineral cargo in Mississippi-type barges, forming convoys of up to 30,000 tonnes. The initial transport contract between Corumbá, Brazil, and San Nicolás started with 100,000-tonne shipments that grew to one million tonnes a year.

From 2000 onwards, a proposal was developed and presented to Companhia Vale do Rio Doce whereby P&O Maritime Services, in association with Maruba, offered solutions for moving ore along the waterway from Corumbá to the transhipment ports of the lower Paraná using Jumbo barges of 2,500 tonnes each, in dedicated convoys of twelve barges pushed by a 4,800 HP tug, totalling up to 30,000 tonnes per convoy. The proposal, for 300,000 tonnes a year in twelve convoys, was structured on a five-year take-or-pay contract.