Vale : signs cooperation agreement with Lianyungang Port of China to develop green initiatives during President Xi Jinping's inaugural state visit to Brazil

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's first official state visit to Brazil, and in line with Vale's commitment to global excellence in productivity, safety and sustainability, officials from Vale's Tubarão Port, in Brazil, and Lianyungang Port, in China, celebrated the signing of an agreement to jointly increase the productivity of their operations, exchange knowledge on safety subject and at the same time develop technologies aiming for a reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in their operations.

Under the cooperation agreement, both organizations and ports will work together to implement high productivity operations procedures, new world class projects and green emissions and energy related measures that aspire to become a global benchmark in the port industry. Luiz Fernando Landeiro, Director of Tubarão Port, and Bai Liqun, Chairman of Lianyungang Port Group, signed the agreement.

Tubarão Port, located in southeastern Brazil, is responsible for handling 15% of Brazil's grain exports and 35% of Vale's iron ore export, while Lianyungang Port is among the top 20 ports in China in terms of cargo turnover, positioned by the Chinese Ministry of Transportation as an important port for the import of raw material, energy, and coal.

The signing of this agreement comes during the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Strengthened bilateral relations have enabled China to become the largest trade partner for Brazil today, with a strong focus on mineral products and raw materials. The cooperation between the two ports also indicates that China and Brazil, two important BRICS countries, are looking to extend their partnership via mutual cooperation in the energy efficiency and technology sectors.

Additional information on the Port of Tubarão and the Port of Lianyugang

Located in the central China's coast, Port of Lianyungang is considered the main hub port in China's coast, an important port for imported iron ore transshipment and the meeting point of the Silk Road Economic Zone, announced by China's president Xi Jinping to intensify the commercial trade between Asian and European markets.

In operation for 48 years, Port of Tubarão, in Espírito Santo state, is responsible for  handling 15% of Brazil's grain exports and 35% of Vale's iron ore production.  It is the most efficient port in the world in terms of turnover and the world's second largest iron ore export port, only behind Vale's Ponta da Madeira Port Terminal, in São Luís, Maranhão state. Currently, the Port of Tubarão is undergoing  an intense modernization process, with investments of US$ 1.8 billion over the next five years.