China likely to import more iron ore from Vale

"Where China sources its iron ore from will become more concentrated this year," said Li. "The percentage of China's iron ore imports from by Australia and Brazil will expand to more than 80 percent this year from 77 percent in 2014."

Eager to reduce the hostility from Chinese shipping companies, Vale signed strategic and freight agreements with China's State-owned COSCO Group and with China Merchants Group in September, in a push to increase its presence in China.

Vale also signed a strategic agreement with Shandong Shipping Corp in 2013 to hand over four 400,000 DWT bulk vessels to its Chinese counterpart, indicating the Brazilian company eventually found the dock to call in Chinese ports through this deal.

As many mining companies are seeking ways to cast off the negative impact caused by low commodity prices in global markets, Vale also signed a $500 million iron ore freight agreement with Shandong Shipping to diversify its business in China.

"Besides Dalian and Lianyungang, the ports of Qingdao, Tianjin, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Zhanjiang and Caofeidian all have the infrastructure in place to accept mega bulk carriers straight away," said Chen Yingming, executive vice-president of Shanghai-based China Port and Harbors Association.

"Meizhouwan port also announced plans for the construction of a 400,000 DWT berth last year," said Chen. "Apparently, the previous restrictive situation is close to an end."