Bulk carriers are among the most important vessels in international trade. These ships are built specifically to transport unpackaged bulk cargoes such as coal, iron ore, and grains across vast distances. As the maritime industry evolves to meet modern requirements, the bulk carrier is evolving too, adapting to stricter safety regulations, innovative designs, and sustainability goals.
In this blog, we will examine what bulk carriers are, what they transport, why they matter, how they’re different from other types of cargo vessels, and the different types of bulk carriers by design and size. We’ll also explore their role in sustainability, recent technology developments, economic forces and the projected growth of the bulker fleet in 2026.
What Are Bulk Carriers?
A bulk carrier is a ship constructed to move dry cargo in bulk within large cargo holds. These ships do not carry containers or packaged goods but are designed for direct loading of bulk cargoes.
A typical bulk carrier features a long flat deck, large hatch openings covered by hatch covers, and hopper side tanks that improve safety and stability. Their cargo spaces are engineered to manage cargo loads that can be abrasive, corrosive, or prone to shifting.
Compared to other types of cargo ships, bulk carriers prioritize efficiency and volume rather than speed or container stacking. Unlike container ships, which depend on standardized boxes, bulkers are optimized for raw material transport.
What Do Bulk Cargo Carriers Transport?
Bulk cargo encompasses a wide range of commodities, including:
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Iron ore – the backbone of steelmaking, used in buildings, vehicles, bridges, and consumer products.
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Coal (leading to the nickname coal carriers) – essential for energy production in many regions and as a raw material for steel.
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Grain – such as wheat, maize, rice, and soybeans, forming the basis of global food security.
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Steel coils – transported in bulk for manufacturing appliances, cars, and construction materials.
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Fertilizer – crucial for agriculture, ensuring higher crop yields and stable food supplies.
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Cement – a fundamental ingredient for infrastructure projects, from roads to housing.
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Crude oil (in combination carriers) – providing energy and serving as the raw material for fuels, plastics, and chemicals.
These materials form the backbone of global industries, from construction to energy to food production. The ability to carry dry cargo in massive quantities makes bulk carriers indispensable for global trade
Why Bulk Carriers Are Important
Bulk carriers represent about 21% of the world’s merchant fleet and nearly 40% of vessels in operation today, contributing significantly to the overall deadweight tonnage. They enable the transport of large volumes of raw materials in the most cost-efficient way, ensuring global industries receive vital resources.
For ship owners, bulkers provide a steady demand market, particularly in commodities like coal, iron ore, and grain. In fact, some of the largest vessels afloat are bulk carriers, capable of transporting hundreds of thousands of tonnes in a single voyage.
How Bulk Carriers Differ from Other Cargo Vessels
There are many types of cargo vessels, but bulk carriers are distinct in several ways:
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Cargo Handling: Unlike container ships, bulk carriers deal with raw commodities that require specialized loading gear.
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Design: Some are gearless carriers, relying on shore assistance and shore-based systems. Others are conventional bulkers with their own cranes or conveyor facilities to load and discharge.
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Specialization: Certain designs are specialized bulk carriers, such as forest product carriers or combination carriers that handle both oil and dry cargo.
This diversity makes bulkers more adaptable but also more complex to manage.
Types of Bulk Carriers (By Design)
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Conventional Bulker:
A conventional bulker is equipped with hatch covers and cranes, enabling loading in ports without modern infrastructure. The number of holds depends on the size of the vessel. They range from 5 for 35,000-ton vessels to 9 for 250,000-ton vessels.
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Gearless Carriers:
These gearless carriers lack cranes and conveyor facilities and depend entirely on shore assistance. They are usually bulk carriers calling at only a few ports with advanced equipment.
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Self-Dischargers:
Self-discharging vessels use onboard conveyor belts and gear, allowing discharge without a shore-based system. They are highly flexible and efficient, particularly in smaller ports.
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BIBO (Bulk-In, Bags-Out):
These vessels load dry cargo in bulk but discharge as bagged cargo, saving time in port. Currently, there are only a handful of these vessels in service.
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Open Hatch Bulk Carriers:
Also called forest product carriers, these have wider openings and equipment tailored to carry forestry products or steel coils.
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Combined Carriers (Ore-bulk-oil carrier):
Combined carriers or ore carriers (sometimes crude oil capable) can transport dry bulk or liquids. This vessel type was popular in the 1970s and 80s, known for versatility.
7. Lakers
Smaller ships trading in the Great Lakes are called Lakers. Operating in fresh water, these smaller bulk carriers enjoy long lifespans and are designed for coastal trade with unique dimensions.
Types of Bulk Carriers (By Size)
Bulk carriers are divided into major size categories, often aligned with canal restrictions. Here are the six major size categories and beyond:
Mini Bulk Carrier
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Capacity: usually between 3000 ~ 23,999 DWT.
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100 – 130m length, Serve smaller ports and coastal trade
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Known as mini bulk, they act as feeders to larger vessels
Handysize
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24,000–35,000 DWT
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130 – 150 m length, flexible and can enter smaller ports
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Ideal for varied bulk cargoes such as grain or cement
Handymax
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35,000–50,000 DWT
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150 – 200 m length, often feature double hulls and own cranes
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Popular for dry bulk like coal and grain
Supramax
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50,000 DWT and 61,000 DWT
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Called “open hatch” or “semi open hatch” types, which means they have a wide hatch opening with a very narrow deck between the hatch coaming and the ship’s side
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popular among dry cargo shippers due to their larger cargo carrying capacities and on-board cargo handling flexibility
Panamax Vessels
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60,000–80,000 DWT
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200-230 m, Restricted by Panama Canal locks with a maximum beam of 32.2m
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Carry iron ore, coal, and grain
Post-Panamax
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80,000–120,000 DWT
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Wider than Panamax vessels; designed for the New Panama Canal expansion
Capesize Vessels
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80,000- 199,000 DWT
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Too large for the Panama Canal or the Suez Canal, must route via Cape Horn
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Primarily, ore carriers and coal carriers
Kamsarmax
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Max length 229m, suited for the Port of Kamsar
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Designed with maximum allowable beam restrictions
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185,000 DWT (approx)
Newcastlemax
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Largest for Newcastle, Australia
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Capacity ~185,000 DWT, part of the largest vessel group
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Maximum allowable beam = 47 m
Malaccamax
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300,000 DWT
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Largest vessels through the Strait of Malacca
Seawaymax
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Max for canal locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway
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DWT ~28,500
Dunkirkmax
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Built for the eastern harbour lock at Dunkirk, with a maximum allowable beam of 45m
Suezmax
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Largest for Suez Canal (62ft draft)
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Maximum allowed draught of the Suez Canal is currently 18.90 m (62 feet)
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Bridges the gap between Panamax and very large bulk carriers
Very Large Ore Carriers (VLOCs) / Very Large Bulk Carriers (VLBCs)
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Among the largest vessels, exceeding 180,000 DWT
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Usually 270m
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Known as large ore carriers, often used for iron ore
Bulk Carriers and Sustainability
The bulk shipping sector is shifting to greener practices, including the use of specialized bulk carriers. Modern bulkers adopt double hulls to improve safety and maximize capacity while reducing emissions.
Compared to rail, bulkers are more eco-efficient: a typical bulk carrier emits only 6.5g CO₂ per tonne compared to 61g for trains. Innovations in conveyor facilities, fuel choices, and design all support greener shipping.
Technology Innovations
Recent advancements include:
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Digital tools for monitoring cargo holds and fuel use
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Smart routing along optimized navigational routes
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Remote surveys and cyber-secure systems
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Energy-saving devices to reduce reliance on shore-based systems
Bulk Carriers Growth in 2026
According to BIMCO, bulker deliveries are projected to reach a six-year high in 2026, marking one of the strongest growth phases in recent years for the dry bulk market. A total of 59.3 million DWT is expected to be delivered, reflecting the surge of contracting activity seen in 2023 and 2024. Among these, Panamax vessels will account for 33.9% of new deliveries, benefiting from their versatility and suitability for diverse trade routes. The Supramax segment follows at 28.3%, supported by consistently higher freight rates and demand for mid-sized tonnage. Meanwhile, Capesize vessels represent 23.9%, but because these are the largest vessels and take longer to build, many of the 2024 orders are likely to be delivered only after 2026.
Sustainability is also shaping the incoming fleet. About 9.1% of deliveries will be alternative-fuel ready, while another 10.7% are designed for retrofitting. Within this pool, LNG and methanol dominate, together making up over 70% of alternative-fuel capacity, reflecting the industry’s gradual but steady shift toward greener operations.
By late 2025, the global bulk carrier fleet is set to surpass 1 billion deadweight tonnage, an important milestone in the sector’s growth. However, the expansion comes with challenges. The fleet’s average age has been rising, and the prevalence of old ships highlights ongoing issues of compliance, efficiency, and environmental performance. As regulations tighten, especially around emissions, shipowners will need to balance new deliveries with the costs of upgrading or phasing out aging vessels. This dual trend of fleet expansion and modernization underscores both the opportunities and responsibilities facing bulk shipping in 2026 and beyond.
Conclusion
Bulk carriers are essential to the maritime industry, serving as the workhorses of dry bulk transport. From small vessels like mini bulk carriers to very large carriers, they deliver the world’s most important bulk cargoes safely and efficiently. With sustainability, technology, and fleet renewal shaping the future, bulk carriers remain at the core of bulk shipping and global trade.
FAQs
Q1: What are the types of bulk carriers?
A: By design: conventional bulker, gearless carriers, self-dischargers, open hatch carriers, combined carriers, BIBO, Lakers, and by size, the six major size categories. By size: mini bulk carrier, Handysize, Handymax, Panamax, Post-Panamax, Capesize vessels, Kamsarmax, Newcastlemax, Malaccamax, Seawaymax, Dunkirkmax, Suezmax, Very Large Ore Carriers.
Q2: What do bulk carriers transport?
A: They move bulk cargo such as iron ore, coal, steel coils, grains, crude oil, and cement.
Q3: How are bulk carriers different from other types of cargo vessels?
A: Unlike container ships, they carry dry cargo in bulk and often need specialized gear.
Q4: Which are the largest vessels?
A: Very large bulk carriers like Chinamax and very large ore carriers carrying over 200,000 DWT.
Q5: Why are Panamax vessels important?
A: They are designed to fit the Panama Canal locks, maximizing trade routes.
