last I knew Suez was 73.8 ' deep -Panama limiting depth ca 41 feet due to a lake

Valemax have ca 75 draft-deeper than any port when they were arrogantly 1st built- even deeper than Vales own loading facilities when 1st built- had to load offshore and had some problems- still the only facilities able to accommodate them I believe- as we know China last we knew would still not allow Valemax,  so Vale has to transfer to smaller ships in Africa

This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (July 2010)

Capesize ships are cargo ships originally too large to transit the Suez Canal (i.e., larger than both Panamax and Suezmax vessels). To travel between oceans, such vessels used to have to pass either the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn . In effect Capesize reads as "unlimited". When the Suez was deepened, the definition of Suezmax changed. Some ships previously unable to transit the canal and deemed Capesize, changed categories.

The Northwest Passage also has sections that are too shallow to accommodate capesize vessels. ^{[ 1 ]}

Overview

Capesize vessels are typically above 150,000 long tons deadweight (DWT), and ships in this class include bulk carriers transporting coal, ore, and other commodity raw materials. The term "Capesize" is most commonly used to describe bulk carriers rather than tankers. A standard Capesize bulker is around 175,000  DWT , although larger ships (normally dedicated to ore transportation) have been built, up to 400,000  DWT . The large dimensions and deep drafts of such vessels mean that only the largest deep water terminals can accommodate them. ^{[ 2 ]}

Capesize ships are commonly used in transportation of coal, iron ore and commodity raw materials. Because of this fact, they are often termed as bulk carriers rather than tankers. In the subcategory of capesize vessels include the very large ore carriers (VLOC) and very large bulk carriers (VLBC) of above 200,000 DWT. These vessels are mainly designed to carry iron ore. According to estimates, 93% cargo of capesize bulkers comprises iron ore and coal. While a standard capesize vessel is around 175,000 DWT, bulkers up to 400,000 DWT or even more have been built in recent times to meet the growing demand for bulk ore transportation carriers.