Types of bulk carrier

Bulk carrier ships are specialized merchant vessels designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo such as grain, coal, ore, steel coils, and cement in their cargo holds. They come in various types and sizes, categorized mainly by their deadweight tonnage (DWT), dimensions, and operational design. Here is a detailed overview of the types of bulk carrier ships:

Types of Bulk Carriers by Size and Class

1. Mini Bulk Carrier

   • Capacity: 1,000 to 10,000 tons

   • Length: 100 to 130 meters

   • Draft: Less than 10 meters

   • Usage: Often used on rivers and for short international distances7.

2. Small Bulk Carrier / Handysize

   • Capacity: 15,000 to 40,000 DWT

   • Features: Can berth and operate in most ports worldwide due to smaller size and shallower draft

   • Usage: Versatile for various cargoes and routes17.

3. Handymax / Supramax

   • Handymax Capacity: 40,000 to 50,000 DWT

   • Supramax Capacity: Up to 60,000 DWT

   • Length: Around 150–200 meters

   • Features: Equipped with cranes for self-loading/unloading; suitable for longer voyages and diverse cargoes

   • Usage: Popular for transporting coal, grain, cement, steel, fertilizer, and more

4. Panamax

   • Capacity: 65,000 to 89,999 DWT

   • Dimensions: Designed to fit the old Panama Canal locks

   • Usage: Common for iron ore, grain, and coal transport; can access many global ports

5. Capesize

   • Capacity: 80,000 to 200,000 DWT (commonly 130,000 to 170,000 DWT)

   • Length: Approximately 230 to 290 meters

   • Draft: Around 17 to 18 meters

   • Features: Too large for Panama and Suez Canals; must navigate around Cape Horn or Cape of Good Hope

   • Usage: Mainly for coal, ore, and other raw commodities; includes subtypes like Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOC) and Very Large Bulk Carriers (VLBC)

6. Very Large Bulk Carrier (VLBC) / Valemax

   • Capacity: 180,000 to 400,000 DWT

   • Length: Up to 360 meters

   • Draft: 20 meters or more

   • Usage: Specialized for iron ore transport, especially on routes between Brazil, Europe, and Asia; Valemax is a specific class owned by Vale mining company

7. Chinamax

   • Capacity: Up to 400,000 DWT

   • Length: About 360 meters

   • Width: 65 meters

   • Draft: 25 meters

   • Usage: Largest bulk carriers designed for Asia-Europe routes; capable of passing through the Strait of Malacca and Suez Canal with suitable infrastructure

8. Other Specialized Classes

   • Suezmax: Largest vessel able to transit the Suez Canal with draft limits around 18.9 meters (planned increase to 21.95 meters)

   • Seawaymax: Largest vessel for St Lawrence Seaway locks (max 226 m length, 7.92 m draft)

   • Malaccamax: Largest vessel passing through the Strait of Malacca (~330 m length, 20 m draft)

   • Setouchmax: Maximum size for ports in the Setouch Sea, Japan

   • Dunkirkmax: Max beam 45 m for Dunkirk harbor lock

   • Kamsarmax: Max size for port Kamsar, Equatorial Guinea

   • Newcastlemax: Usually Capesize, max beam 47 m for Newcastle port2.

Types of Bulk Carriers by Design

• Basic/Conventional Bulk Carriers

  • Equipped with hatch covers and their own cranes for loading/unloading

  • Number of holds varies with size (5 to 9 holds)

  • Can carry multiple cargo types and operate worldwide4.

• Combined Bulk Carriers

  • Designed to carry both bulk cargo and oil

  • Feature pipelines and pontoons on deck

  • More expensive and specialized4.

• Gearless Bulk Carriers

  • Depend on port facilities for loading/unloading

  • Typically larger vessels designed for high-volume cargoes1.

• Self-Discharging Bulk Carriers

  • Equipped with conveyor belts or other mechanisms to unload cargo without shore equipment

  • Useful in ports lacking infrastructure4.

Summary Table of Major Bulk Carrier Types by Size

This classification helps in understanding the operational scope, cargo capacity, and port accessibility of bulk carriers in global maritime trade

In conclusion, bulk carriers are classified by size (from mini to Chinamax), by design (conventional, combined, gearless, self-discharging), and by their ability to navigate specific waterways or ports (Panamax, Suezmax, etc.), reflecting their diverse roles in transporting dry bulk commodities worldwide.