Difference between bulk and break bulk

bulk and break bulk difference

Bulk and Break Bulk are two terms that are being used incorrectly and interchangeably in the course of day-to-day business..

These terms cannot be used interchangeably because there are distinctive differences between Bulk and Break Bulk regarding cargo, ships used, nature, size, capacity, handling, trade, customers, ports, terminals, equipment, and infrastructure…………………

In the below article, I explain the differences between Bulk and Break Bulk, the differences in their operations, how the cargo handling differs in both, and the differences in ships for both of these two cargo types..

BULK

The term BULK here 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..

Iron Ore - bulk and break bulk
Bulk Iron Ore
grain - bulk and break bulk
Bulk Grain
coal - bulk and break bulk
Bulk Coal

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

bulk vessels classification
Source: Port Economics, Management & Policy

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 shipbuilder, then the ship could be in danger of sinking or damage..

Vale Sohar - Valemax size vsl - bulk and break bulk
Image of a Chinamax/Valemax bulker Courtesy – Peet de Rouw, De Nachtdienst Fotografie

Bulk carriers have several cargo holds but a single deck, and cargo may be loaded and carried as

  1. A Single parcel with cargo in all holds for one customer or
  2. Multiple parcels with cargoes in different hold for different customers..
bulk ships hold - bulk and break bulk

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 sizes of bulk ships loading)..

Richards Bay Coal Terminal
Richards Bay Coal Terminal – South Africa

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 that 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..
gearless bulk vsl - bulk and break bulk
GEARLESS – The ship doesn’t have its loading equipment
geared bulk vessel - bulk and break bulk
GEARED – The ship has its loading equipment

BULK CARGO FIXTURE TYPES

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

End of Bulk Section


BREAK BULK

The term BREAK BULK relates to trades where the cargoes are carried in a unitized form such as palletized, bagged, strapped, bundled, drummed, and created like below and also non-unitized general cargo (vehicles, steel, etc)..

Drummed cargo - bulk and break bulk
Drummed Cargo
Bagged cement - bulk and break bulk
Bagged Cement
steel coils and rebar - bulk and break bulk
Steel Coil & Rebar

The ships that carry these break bulk cargoes are known as Break Bulk, Multi-Purpose, or General Cargo vessels and come in a variety of sizes and types such as Single Decker, Tween Decker, and Box Holds..

break bulk ship classification

Cargo can be loaded under the deck, on deck, or between decks (tween deck) which some of the ships have, as shown below..

break bulk vessel - bulk and break bulk
tween deck - break bulk vessel - bulk and break bulk
Vessel with a tween deck

In a break bulk or multi-purpose vessel,

  • Cargoes may belong to various customers
  • No dedicated berth or terminal is required unless specified in the charter party
  • Can operate from any free berth

BREAK BULK SHIPS ALSO COME IN TWO FLAVOURS

gearless break bulk vessel - bulk and break bulk
GEARLESS – The ship doesn’t have its loading equipment
geared break bulk vessel - bulk and break bulk
GEARED – The ship has its loading equipment
  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 that 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..

Freight rates for Break Bulk cargoes are worked out based on Freight Ton or Revenue Ton which means freight is charged on the volume (CBM) or weight (MT) of the cargo whichever is higher..

End of Break Bulk Section

Below is a look at the various ship types used in global maritime movement and a DWT vs Value comparison just so you can have an understanding of where the Bulk and Break Bulk ships stand..

ship types - DWT vs Values
Source: UNCTAD

Post source: www.shippingandfreightresource.com

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