Dry Bulk Shipping: Cargoes, Ships and How It Works
Dry bulk shipping carries the raw materials of industry and food: ore, coal, grain and many other loose cargoes. It is the largest part of the world tramp fleet.
What dry bulk means
Dry bulk cargo is dry, loose cargo carried in the holds of a ship without packaging: it is poured or grabbed in and out. The ships are bulk carriers. Dry bulk is different from liquid bulk, which goes in tankers, and from packaged cargo.
Major bulks and minor bulks
The major bulks are iron ore, coal and grain, which make up most of the volume. The minor bulks include fertilizers, bauxite and alumina, cement and clinker, sugar, salt, steel products, forest products and scrap. See the guides to grain, coal and ores, cement and steel.
Ship sizes
Ships are grouped by size: Handysize, Handymax, Supramax, Ultramax, Panamax and Capesize. Small and mid-size ships are geared with their own cranes, while the largest ships need shore equipment.
How a dry bulk cargo is chartered
Most cargoes are fixed on a voyage charter for a freight per tonne. Regular shipments use a contract of affreightment, and charterers that need ships for a period use a time charter. Ships are not on a fixed schedule: they go where the cargo is, which is why the trade is called tramp shipping.
The market
The dry bulk market moves with the supply of ships and the demand for raw materials. The Baltic Dry Index is the best-known indicator. Your own freight depends on your route and dates; see freight rates explained.
Getting started
Define your cargo and dates, post a request and compare the offers. Read how to charter a ship and find a ship for your cargo.
Post your ship request
Shipfixing connects charterers and ship operators. We scan for suitable ships. Voyage requests for ships below 10,000 DWT need no signup and no membership.
Related guides
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