[2] Designed to carry iron ore from Brazil to Asia (primer market China) along the Cape route around South Africa, she is the second of seven 400,000-tonne very large ore carriers (VLOC) ordered by Vale from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea and twelve from Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries in China.

[7] The overall length of the Vale Rio de Janeiro is 362.0 metres (1,187.7 ft), making her (with her sister ships) the largest bulk carrier(s) in the world.

[1] The Vale Rio de Janeiro has seven cargo holds with a combined gross volume of 219,980 cubic metres and net tonnage of 67,993.

In addition to bringing in many more jobs for locals, this is expected to boost other industries in Subic bay, and put Philippines on the world map of Iron ore shipments.

[1] The main engine, which has a maximum output of 29,260 kilowatts (39,240 hp) at 78 rpm, burns 96.7 tons of heavy fuel oil per day.

[4] The Vale Rio de Janeiro is classified by Det Norske Veritas with a class notation of 1A1 Ore Carrier ESP ES(O) E0 NAUT-OC BWM-E(s) IB-3 COAT-PSPC(B) CSA-2 BIS EL-2 TMON NAUTICUS(Newbuilding).