Bulk Carrier

A large ocean-going vessel designed specifically for the transportation of unpackaged bulk commodities such as iron ore, bauxite, coal, and grain. Bulk carriers are classified by cargo carrying capacity (deadweight tonnage), ranging from Handysize (10,000–35,000 DWT) to Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs) exceeding 400,000 DWT. In iron ore and bauxite shipping, large bulk carriers (Capesize and VLOC) dominate long-haul trade routes due to economies of scale. Vessel choice depends on port infrastructure, draught restrictions, and cargo volume.