What Is A Break Bulk Terminal?

Break-bulk cargo is handled at specialised terminals in port facilities. These terminals are vital links in the supply chain, handling goods that cannot fit into standard shipping containers, such as construction equipment, heavy machinery, turbine blades, generators, vehicles, steel, lumber, etc. 

We will discuss breakbulk terminals in this article and the numerous benefits they have for the maritime and logistics industry.

However, first, let us define what the term breakbulk means. ‘Break Bulk’ refers to breaking down or separating cargo into smaller units or pieces, which makes it easy to handle the goods for storage and distribution. This translates to cargo, which is loaded individually onto ships.

Break bulk terminals, also known as general cargo terminals, handle cargo which is directly loaded into a ship’s cargo hold or even packed in bags, boxes, crates, drums and barrels.

Handling cargo at break bulk terminals is usually labour-intensive and requires individual lifts and stowage planning, which makes operations complex compared to an automated container terminal.

Additionally, unlike the other terminals, a breakbulk facility needs an extensive and flexible array of material handling equipment.

Infrastructure of a Break Bulk Terminal

A break-bulk facility must have equipment that caters to versatile goods ranging from palletised items to heavy or even oversized components.

They usually have wider aprons (which is the area between the shed/storage and the pier) than container terminals to accommodate massive storage areas and enable the manoeuvring of several lifting equipment.

The terminal is well-equipped to accommodate conventional tramp vessels to specialised heavy-lift ships. Robust fendering systems are mandatory for absorbing the impact of different hull forms during mooring.

Break Bulk Terminals have high-capacity lifting gear, including a gantry or level luffing crane with high lift capacity and extended reach.

They also possess mobile harbour cranes, which are highly flexible, and are rubber-tired or rail-mounted and can shift position to support many vessels or different cargo holds at once.

Storage Facilities

Break bulk terminals have covered storage areas or transit sheds, which are massive, dehumidified warehouses essential for weather-sensitive cargo like bagged cement, paper and steel products. Sheds are of proper height and size for cranes to access them.

There are also open storage areas, which are needed for heavy and oversized project cargo. The pavement is made such that it can withstand high point loads.

These specialised facilities have a range of capacities from small industrial lifts to heavy-duty forklifts that can handle heavy steel coils.

They also have trailers, self-propelled modular transporters, a vast inventory of slings, shackles, spreader beams and lifting frames. 

Advantages of Break Bulk Terminals

One of the major advantages of break-bulk terminals is their ability to provide tailored solutions for unique logistical challenges. 

They offer specialised equipment and facilities, including warehouses, open storage areas and distribution centres to cater to specific cargo requirements. 

Terminal operators can adapt to the needs of different industries, providing customised services to ensure optional handling, storage and transportation of goods.

They also help minimise handling and transportation costs. Since cargo is not limited to standardised container sizes, it can be packed and secured efficiently, decreasing the risk of damage during transit. 

Moreover, these facilities have advanced cargo tracking systems and employ skilled personnel trained in handling diverse cargo, resulting in improved operational efficiency and decreased turnaround times.

These terminals allow one to reach remote or underdeveloped areas which lack containerised shipping infrastructure. By offering the means to transport essential goods to these regions, break-bulk terminals contribute to economic development and regional growth. They foster opportunities for conducting trade in remote markets.

They also adhere to strict safety and compliance standards to handle different types of cargo. Terminal operators have the expertise and experience to manage hazardous materials and ensure compliance with national and international standards.

This commitment to safety reduces the risk of any ship accidents, ensuring the safety of the personnel and the marine environment.

Limitations of Break Bulk Terminals

Break-bulk terminals are mainly designed to consolidate and deconsolidate shipments involving many stops and transfers. This is not only time-consuming but also involves high labour costs and reduces efficiency. 

As there are many handling points, there is also a greater risk of damage to goods. Several handling processes increase the risk of mishandling, improper stacking or accidental damage to shipments, compared to direct shipments.

Break-bulk terminals also involve transfers between different carriers or modes of transport, like from trucks to rail or vice versa. Each transfer adds complexity and introduces the possibility of delays, which can affect delivery schedules and customer satisfaction.

Break Bulk Terminals handle massive volumes of shipments from various carriers. There is a risk of misplacement of shipments within the terminal, especially if proper tracking and inventory management systems are not in place. 

This results in customer dissatisfaction and an extensive search to locate missing shipments.

Some of the World’s Biggest Break Bulk Terminals

Port of Port Hedland, Australia: This is the world’s biggest bulk export port and a critical gateway for iron ore, salt, and lithium from the Pilbara region to global steel-producing centres. The port’s total annual cargo throughput is over 758 million tonnes.

Port of Shanghai, China: This is a major centre for global trade and is one of the busiest in the world for break-bulk and container cargo. The port handles a total cargo of over a billion tonnes annually.

Port of Singapore, Singapore: This facility serves as a major transhipment point for goods moving through Asia. The port has a capacity to handle over 40 million TEUs annually.

Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan, China: This port, with its specialised terminals, is the world’s busiest by tonnage. It usually handles a little over a billion tonnes of cargo, which includes a major portion of bulk, including grain, iron ore, machinery, etc.

Conclusion

Break Bulk Terminals have grown to be an indispensable part of the logistics industry. Their ability to handle massive volumes of non-containerised goods, offer customised solutions according to the needs of clients, and the capability to adapt to unique logistical challenges make them an invaluable asset for businesses across industries. 

They streamline the movement of cargo and promote maritime trade even in remote locations, as their operations are usually labour-intensive, and some break-bulk terminals in less developed countries rely more on manpower than machines. 

Break Bulk terminals are important for capital projects, including power plants, wind farms, and oil and gas industries, where packing the items is expensive and impractical. As the world transitions to renewable energy and industrial development grows, the demand for modern breakbulk terminals, particularly those catering to project cargo, will continue to increase.

You might also like to read-

• Top 10 Major Dry Bulk Export Terminals In The World
• 12 Biggest Bulk Shipping Companies
• What Is Break Bulk Cargo?
• What are Break Bulk Ships?

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.

Read More Articles By This Author >

Related Articles

The National Maritime Centre: Providing Quality with Utility

Subsea Drilling: The What, Why and How

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Exams and What they Mean to an Average Shippy