China has cleared the way for a lifting of its ban on Valemax ore carriers after nearly four years. But the controversial ban has not yet been lifted. The circular dated 27 June but published yesterday by China's Ministry of Transport gives a tentative thumbs-up to seven discharge port berths deemed capable of receiving the 400,000-dwt ore carriers. But approval for regular business is still pending technical approval under a previous circular released in January of this year.
