Australian iron ore company Fortescue Metals Group has welcomed its newest ore carrier FMG Matilda, which arrived into Port Hedland on December 29.

The 261,000 dwt vessel is the first of four remaining ore carriers to be built at Guangzhou Shipyard International. In mid-December, the company held the naming ceremony for the vessel at the shipyard in Guangzhou, China.

“When complete, the fleet will provide approximately 12 per cent of Fortescue’s total shipping requirements while maximising tonnage, improving loading rates and safer manoeuvring through the port and channel,” Ian Wells, Fortescue Chief Financial Officer elect, said.

The FMG ore carrier fleet of eight vessels was first announced in June 2014 and has been designed to complement Fortescue’s port infrastructure and improve load rates, efficiencies and reduce operating costs.

The first four ore carriers, namely FMG Nicola, FMG Grace, FMG Sophia and FMG Sydney, were constructed and delivered by Yangzijiang Shipyard in Jiangsu Province, China.