# bulk freight

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Unlike breakbulk or containerised cargo, where goods move in discrete, identifiable units, bulk freight consists of loose, unpackaged commodities – coal, iron ore, grain, fertilisers, sugar – transported in large volumes without individual packaging.

Unlike breakbulk or containerised cargo, where goods move in discrete, identifiable units, bulk freight consists of loose, unpackaged commodities – coal, iron ore, grain, fertilisers, sugar – transported in large volumes without individual packaging. At sea, specialised bulk carriers handle the trade, broadly divided into dry bulk vessels and liquid bulk tankers; on land, hopper railcars and silo trucks take over. Loading and discharge are fully mechanised via conveyor belts, grabs, or pumps, keeping handling costs low while requiring dedicated storage and containment infrastructure to prevent contamination and emissions. Dry bulk freight rates are widely tracked through the Baltic Dry Index (BDI), the benchmark indicator for market conditions on the main bulk shipping routes.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulk_cargo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulk_cargo)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | bulk freight |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 114 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulk_cargo |

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