Wood-chip carrier

A wood-chip carrier is a high-cubic open-hatch bulker built for woodchips, a low-density cargo with a stowage factor near 2.5 to 3.4 cubic meters per tonne. Because the cargo is bulky relative to its weight, these ships need large hold volume, commonly 70,000 to 130,000 cubic meters across six tall holds, while their deadweight stays modest for that size. Wide box-shaped holds and full-width hatches speed loading and grab discharge. The trade runs from chip-export sources such as Australia, Chile, and the US South to pulp and paper mills in Japan and other Asian markets. Some carry a return cargo of denser bulk to cut ballast legs.