Watch: Working of Bulk Carrier Ships

Bulk carriers are an essential part of an economy as each ship can carry an immense amount of cargo. A capesize bulk carrier that is the largest bulk carrier can alone transport 2 to 4 million tonnes of cargo.  

These vessels are designed to transport large quantities of dry, unpackaged cargo, such as raw materials, grains, chemicals, commodities etc. 

Bulk cargo includes iron ore, coal and grains, cereal, salt, aluminium, copper ore, sulfur etc. Many of these are used to make items which we use in our everyday lives. 

These ships are different in design and orientation compared to other ships. 

Bulk carriers are specifically designed with multiple large, open cargo holds. Depending on the ship’s design, these holds can vary in size and shape. 

To protect the cargo from the elements (e.g., rain or seawater), bulk carriers are equipped with hatch covers. These covers can be of different types however, their basic function is to seal the cargo holds.

These vessels may have onboard equipment like cranes, grapples or conveyor systems to facilitate cargo loading and unloading.

Bulk carrier ships start or end their voyage in a port. A bulk port is an essential link to global trade for the export and import of goods carried in bulk form. 

Depending on the geography and industry type, bulk ports are developed to supply and receive the raw material.

There can be bulk ports specialising in grain that handle enormous volumes of wheat, corn, soybeans, and other agricultural products. Or there can be Bulk Ports dealing with minerals and ores essential for the mining and metallurgy industries.

Bulk cargo ports are equipped with machinery, including conveyor systems, cranes, and grabs, designed for efficient loading and unloading.

These ports have expansive storage areas, often featuring massive silos, warehouses, and stockyards to temporarily hold bulk commodities before distribution.

Bulk cargo ports are well-connected to various transportation networks, including roads, railways, and sometimes pipelines, ensuring the seamless movement of cargo to its final destination. 

Once the ship reaches the destination port, it will commence the cargo operation which can be either loading or unloading. 

Depending on the port facilities and availability of cranes and cargo equipment, the loading and unloading are done. If the facility has port cranes or conveyor loading belts, they are used for cargo loading or unloading.

 If the port does not have such equipment, usually bulk carrier ships’ equipment can be used, which are usually cranes with grabs. 

The port can also use Backhoe Loaders JCB to assist in the unloading of the bulk goods by lowering them into the cargo hold. 

The unloaded bulk cargo in the port is then transported to its warehouse or suppliers using road or rail transport. 

Bulk commodities serve as raw materials for various industries, including manufacturing, energy production, construction, and agriculture, depending on the cargo type.

These raw materials are carried by Bulk carriers which play a pivotal role in this process, allowing economies to access the resources necessary for their growth and development.

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About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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