Forest products carrier

A forest-products carrier is an open-hatch bulker built for paper reels, pulp, packaged lumber, and other unitized timber goods. Full-width hatches that open the entire hold give vertical crane access so cargo lands square in box-shaped holds with no obstruction, protecting moisture-sensitive paper from handling damage. Many carry gantry cranes that traverse the deck rather than fixed slewing cranes, and some have weather-protected loading systems and dehumidified holds for paper. The trade moves Nordic, Canadian, and US forest products to printing and packaging markets worldwide. The same open-hatch hull also takes project cargo, steel coils, and other unit loads that need straight-sided access.