Bulk Carrier
X1. Cargo Science, Commodities and Cargo CareDefinition
Single-deck ship for unpackaged dry bulk.
A bulk carrier is a single-deck ship built to carry unpackaged homogeneous dry cargo such as iron ore, coal, grain, bauxite, and cement in large holds. Size classes run from Handysize (under 40,000 dwt) through Handymax, Supramax, Panamax, and Capesize to Very Large and Newcastlemax ore carriers above 200,000 dwt. SOLAS Chapter XII adds dedicated structural and survival requirements for bulkers, and the IMSBC Code governs the carriage of solid bulk cargoes, including cargoes liable to liquefy. Loading and discharge sequencing must respect hull-girder bending and shear limits.