The 400,000-metric-ton ore carrier docks at the Shulanghu ore transfer terminal in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

At the Shulanghu ore transfer terminal of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, two 400,000-metric-ton ore carriers – the Ore Tianjin and the Berge Aconcagua, among the world's largest – simultaneously docked and unloaded on Nov 21.

This marks the first time ever that two 400,000-ton ore ships have docked at the same terminal for unloading operations. With this achievement, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port becomes the first port worldwide to handle two 400,000-ton ore carriers simultaneously.

The iron ore on both ships originated from Brazil's Vale. Since Vale's first shipment of iron ore to China in 1973, over 3 billion tons have been exported to China. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has been a key partner for Vale in China for many years.

Located at the junction of the Yangtze River and China's eastern coastline, the Shulanghu ore transfer terminal enjoys a strategic location with expansive waters, accommodating fully loaded 300,000 to 400,000-ton vessels.

As the world's only automated bulk cargo terminal capable of handling two 400,000-ton ships, the terminal has used an intelligent production control system to manage the entire process from docking to unloading.

Since opening in 2016, the terminal has docked over 380 400,000-ton ore ships. It holds records for docking four 400,000-ton ore ships within eight days and unloading a fully loaded 400,000-ton ship in just 33.33 hours.