In March 2016, it was reported that three Chinese companies China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO), China Merchants Energy Shipping and ICBC Financial Leasing Co. had ordered ten Valemax vessels each from four Chinese shipyards.
In December 2016, the Japanese shipping company NS United ordered a single 400,000DWT very large ore carrier from Japan Marine United after signing a 25-year contract with Vale.