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BULK CARGO

The term BULK relates to trades where dry cargoes such as Iron ore, Grain, Coal, Alumina and Phosphate are carried in loose form, (i.e. the cargo is not packed) and loaded directly in the holds of the ship like below :

The ships that carry these bulk cargoes are known as Bulk Carriers, Ore Carriers or Bulkers and may be classified on the basis of their  Deadweight (DWT) as below..

DWT refers to the weight that a ship can safely carry – this includes the weight of the cargo on board the ship, the crew, stores, fuel, water, ballast etc.. If the total weight exceeds the DWT certified by the ship builder, then the ship could be in danger of sinking or damage.

Bulk carriers have several cargo holds but a single deck and cargoes maybe loaded and carried as a Single parcel with cargo in all holds for one customer or multiple parcels with cargoes in different holds for different customers.

Since Bulk cargoes are mostly homogeneous, it may require the use of dedicated terminals – like Richards Bay Coal Terminal in South Africa for the loading and/or discharging (notice the different size of bulk ships loading)..

BULKERS COME IN TWO FLAVOURS

  1. Gearless – meaning the ship doesn’t have its own cranes and/or other cargo handling equipment which means these ships can only berth at a terminal which has the required cargo handling equipment..
  2. Geared – meaning the has its own cranes and/or other cargo handling equipment which means these ships can call at any suitable berth at the port for cargo operations.

BULK CARGO FIXTURE TYPES

Bulk cargo fixtures can be done either on a spot basis (short term) or on a contract of affreightment (long term) basis.. Freight rates for bulk vessels are usually charged per Metric Ton depending on quantity and cargo loaded..


Classification of bulk cargoes

Bulk cargo, in terms of normalizing the conditions for their transportation, are divided into two groups: non-grain and grain. Non-grain includes goods transported in bulk: ore, ore concentrates, coal, building materials, salt, raw sugar, grain, etc. All these loads consist of homogeneous or inhomogeneous particles of limited size.

Grain cargoes are divided into three groups: cereals, legumes and oilseeds.

Physical properties: flowability, shrinkage, density, borehole, thermal conductivity and sorption properties. Biological properties: grain respiration, ripening, germination, self-warming, etc.

The carrier must take into account all the specified properties of the cargo and ensure, firstly, rational loading and safe navigation of the ship; secondly, the safety of the goods carried.

 

Legal basis of transportation by ships

Bulk cargo, in terms of normalizing the conditions for their transportation, are divided into two groups: non-grain and grain.

Non-grain includes goods transported in bulk: ore, ore concentrates, coal, building materials, salt, raw sugar, grain, etc. All these loads consist of homogeneous or inhomogeneous particles of limited size. ll grain cargoes are divided into three groups: cereals, legumes and oilseeds.

Physical properties: flowability, shrinkage, density, borehole, thermal conductivity and sorption properties. Biological properties: grain respiration, ripening, germination, self-warming, etc.

The carrier must take into account all the specified properties of the cargo and ensure, firstly, rational loading and safe navigation of the ship; secondly, the safety of the goods carried.