A bulk carrier is a large single deck ship, which carriers unpackaged cargo. The cargo is simply poured, tipped or pumped into the holds or tanks of the ship. The dry bulk carrier has been one of the largest growing types of ship outside the tanker fleets. The main cargoes carried are iron ore, coal, grain, bauxite, sugar, wood, wood chips, wood pulp and fertilizer.

Design features.

• They are single deck ships.
• The superstructure and engine room are situated down aft.
• The holds have very large hatchways to facilitate grab discharge and very strong bottoms to prevent grab damage.
• The holds are specially shaped to facilitate discharge and trimming. The bottom of the hold is shaped upwards at the bilges to facilitate discharge. The upper wing tanks are shaped downward to reduce the amount of trimming when loading.
• The large bulk carriers usually trade between special terminals and therefore very seldom have derricks or lifting gear.
• Smaller bulk carriers have to be prepared to discharge anywhere so will usually have their own loading/discharge gear.

Dry bulk carrier Padre.