Exhibit 15.6

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Av. Presidente Wilson 231-22(degree)
20030-021 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Brasil
Telefone: (21) 524-1281                                             DELOITTE
Fac-simile: (21) 220-3876                                           TOUCHE
www.deloitte.com.br                                                 TOHMATSU


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20549


Commissioners:


We are aware that our report dated October 22, 2001 on our review of interim
financial information of Navegacao Vale do Rio Doce S.A. - DOCENAVE as of
September 30, 2001 and 2000, and for the nine-month periods then ended, is
included in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed by Vale Overseas
Limited and Companhia Vale do Rio Doce.



Yours very truly,


/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU
Independent Auditors



Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 21, 2002