Break Bulk
Break bulk ocean shipping is a method used to transport cargo that is too big or too heavy to be put into a standard-sized shipping container.
Break bulk cargo is often stored in barrels, reels, bags, crates, or any other storage method relevant to the cargo type. Some examples of break bulk cargo include steel girders, reels of cable, large pieces of manufacturing equipment, and machinery.
Break bulk cargo can then be lifted, rolled, or pushed onto the transporting vessel. Thanks to the regular use of barges in loading, offloading, and transporting break bulk cargo, this shipping method allows for oversized cargo to be sent to smaller ports that can’t accommodate large container carriers.
Some of the other benefits of break bulking include:
- Preventing the additional chance of damage to cargo caused by its dismantling
- Avoiding the reconsolidation/deconsolidation process when shipping with a container, therefore shortening delivery times
- Cargo arrives in one piece, ready for dispatch without requiring assembly
Break bulk services typically require additional equipment on vessels, such as high-capacity deck cranes, depending on the size and weight of the cargo. A high deck strength barge may also be required for transporting break bulk cargo.