The world’s largest bulk carrier, the Pacific Flourish, is not just a huge ship — it is a mobile infrastructure that connects continents, transporting almost 400,000 tons of iron ore on each voyage.
The Pacific Flourish is the world’s largest bulk carrier or as it is commonly called is the world’s largest bulk carrier, a symbol of modern shipbuilding, engineering, and the increasing global demand for very large ships for the transportation of raw materials.
This specific ship is a second-generation Valemax class bulk carrier, with improved environmental performance.
The world’s largest Valemax class bulk carriers are huge ships and can access the largest deep-water ports in Brazil, China, and other parts of the world.
Their hulls are reinforced to provide greater strength and are propelled by a two-stroke internal combustion engine combined with a fixed-pitch propeller.
Valemax class ships, including the Pacific Flourish, are the world’s most efficient bulk carriers, which significantly reduce emissions per ton-mile compared to older ships.
The Pacific Flourish was built in China in 2018 and is owned by the China Merchants Port Group. It is currently sailing under the flag of Hong Kong.
The largest bulk carrier has a length of 362 meters, a width of 65 meters, and a gross tonnage of 203,000 tons. It is powered by 32,400 horsepower and can achieve a speed of over 14 knots.
The world’s largest bulk carrier and its impressive transport capacity
The Pacific Flourish has a transport capacity of 399,000 tons and a draft of 22 meters when fully loaded.
The largest bulk carrier transports iron ore in its 7 cargo holds from Brazil to major ports in Asia and Europe.
It transports iron ore on long-distance routes between South America and East Asia. Its main commercial route is from Brazilian ports such as Ponta da Madeira or Tubarão, to Chinese ports such as Lianyungang, Qingdao, and Dalian.
It crosses the Atlantic Ocean, passes the Cape of Good Hope and crosses the Indian Ocean, passes through the Singapore Strait and then enters the South China Sea before reaching its final destination.
On each trip, the ship can transport approximately 400,000 tons of iron ore, equivalent to the cargo of more than 11,000 trucks, sufficient for the production of steel for many infrastructure projects.
The ship’s advanced cargo hold design allows for rapid loading, up to 13,500 tons per hour, and efficient unloading, minimizing port turnaround times.
Due to its enormous size, this ship can dock in only a few selected ports, mainly those equipped to handle Chinamax vessels.
The largest bulk carrier operates with a crew of 21 people, which is normal for modern Valemax and Newcastlemax class bulk carriers.
The Pacific Flourish and other ships of the same Valemax class enable the cost-effective, efficient, and safe transportation of iron ore, which is vital for steel production.
