Capesize Bulkers
Because they are so large, some bulk carriers cannot pass through the Suez Canal fully laden and are also too large for the Panama Canal. When fully laden, they have to round the Cape on voyages from Australia to Europe, hence the term Capesize Bulkers. The general characteristics of Capesize Bulkers are :
- over 150 000 deadweight (some are closer to 400 000 deadweight)
- about 300 to 400 metres long and about 18 metres draught
- carry coal or iron ore
Panamax Bulkers
These ships can pass through the Suez Canal and Panama Canal fully laden. Their general characteristics are :
- About 60 000 – 80 000 deadweight
- About 200 – 240 metres
- Carry coal, iron ore, grain, etc.
NB: Maximum dimensions of a Panamax vessel will change once the new Panama Canal construction project has been completed. The larger vessels will be able to pass through the Panama Canal.
Handysize Bulkers
These ships can pass through all major canals
- About 25 000 – 40 000 deadweight
- About 150 – 180 metres
- Carry all types of minerals, grain, fertilisers, neo-bulk cargoes (e.g. steel, paper, pig iron, aluminium ingots, etc.)
NB: Handymaxes are bulkers from about 40 000 to about 60 000 deadweight. The larger ones are often called Handymaxes, or even Supermaxes.
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A Capesize bulker
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A Panamax bulker: seven hatches & gearless. (Some have cranes.)
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A Handysize bulker: five hatches & geared.
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A Handysize bulker loading nitrates in Chile. Photo: Grindrod
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Aboard a handysize bulker
A: Hatch cover open.
B: Hatch cover closed.
C: Hatch coaming.
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Sometimes a part-cargo of one commodity is available for shipment. Several of these can be shipped in one ship, usually a Panamax or a Handysize ship.
Hatch No 1: Steel • Loading in Durban • Discharging in Antwerp
Hatch No 2: Woodchip • Loading in Durban • Discharging in Le Havre
Hatch No 3: Ferrochrome • Loading in Durban • Discharging in Antwerp
Hatch No 4: Titanium Slag • Loading in Durban • Discharging in Le Havre
Hatch No 5: Zircon • Loading in Durban • Discharging in Antwerp
Hatch No 6: Anthracite • Loading in Durban • Discharging in Le Havre
Major bulk carrier routes: Slide 1 of 4
Major Bulk Trade Routes: Coal
A: Canada to Europe
B: Venezuela to Europe
C: Brazil to
• Europe
• Asia (Esp. China, Japan, Korea)
D: Richards Bay
• to Europe
• to Asia (Esp. China, Japan, Korea)
E: S.E. Australia to
• Europe
• Asia (Esp. China, Japan, Korea)
Major bulk carrier routes: Slide 2 of 4
Major Bulk Trade Routes: Grain
A: North America (via Pacific ports) to Asia
B: North America (via Great Lakes & Atlantic ports) to
• Europe
• Africa
• India (via Suez)
• Far East (via Panama)
C: North America (via Mississippi ports) to
• Europe
• Africa
• India (via Suez)
• Far East (via Panama)
D: La Plata to
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Arabian Gulf
E: Russia & Ukraine (via Black Sea) to
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Arabian Gulf
F: S.E. Australia
• Asia<
• East Africa
Major bulk carrier routes: Slide 3 of 4
Major Bulk Trade Routes: Grain
A: China to
• Asia
• East Africa
• Europe
B: S.E. Asia & India to
• Asia
• East Africa
• Europe
Major bulk carrier routes: Slide 4 of 4
Major Bulk Trade Routes: Iron Ore
A: North America (via Great Lakes & Atlantic ports) to Europe
B, C: Brazil to
• Europe
• Asia (Esp. China, Japan, Korea)
D: Saldanha Bay to
• Europe
• Asia (Esp. China, Japan, Korea)
E: N.W. Australia to
• Europe
• Asia (Esp. China, Japan, Korea)
Ship Chartering
Bulk cargoes are usually moved in ships that are chartered (hired) specially for a particular voyage to move a particular cargo.
Kusasa bulk terminal at Richards Bay. Note the bulk cargo facilities in the harbour in the background. Photograph: Grindrod
