MS Berge Stahl
| Company type | Bulk carrier |
|---|---|
| Industry | Shipping, Maritime transport |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Comoros (last registration) |
| Products | Iron ore transportation |
MS Berge Stahl was a bulk carrier that held the title of the longest and largest iron ore carrier globally until the arrival of MS Vale Brasil in 2011. The ship's last registration was in Comoros, having previously been registered in Douglas, Isle of Man, Stavanger, Norway, and Monrovia, Liberia.
Designed specifically for transporting iron ore, Berge Stahl had a cargo capacity of . Constructed in 1986 by Hyundai Heavy Industries, the vessel featured a length of , a beam measuring , and a draft of .
The ship was equipped with a MAN B&W 7L90MCE diesel engine that powered a single propeller, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of .
Owing to its immense dimensions, initially only two ports worldwide could accommodate the fully loaded Berge Stahl. Its primary route involved carrying ore from Brazil's Terminal Marítimo de Ponta da Madeira to Europoort near Rotterdam, Netherlands. This journey occurred roughly ten times annually and was carefully timed around high tide schedules to prevent grounding.
Following the inauguration of the deep-water iron ore terminal at Caofeidian port in China in 2011, Berge Stahl broadened its range of ports served. The vessel also made calls at other Chinese harbors and occasionally transported partial loads to locations such as Majishan (China), Dampier (Western Australia), and Saldanha Bay (South Africa), where draft limitations were in effect.
The ship underwent its final dry-docking maintenance in Portugal during April 2014. Subsequently, Berge Bulk announced that Berge Stahl completed its last voyage to Rotterdam in autumn 2016 before being refitted for a new assignment hauling iron ore from Brazil's Port of Tubarão to Sohar, Oman.
After serving for 35 years, the vessel was dismantled at the Gadani ship-breaking yard in July 2021.
