GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Bulk cargo
Unlike general cargo, which moves in discrete packaged units, bulk cargo is transported unpackaged in homogeneous, large quantities.
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Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massengut
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Unlike general cargo, which moves in discrete packaged units, bulk cargo is transported unpackaged in homogeneous, large quantities. Typical commodities include grain, iron ore, coal, fertilizers, sugar, liquid chemicals, and crude oil. Freight is billed by weight (tonnes) or volume (cubic metres), not by unit count. Dedicated equipment is required: bulk carriers and tankers at sea, silo trucks and open rail wagons on land. The core distinction between dry bulk and liquid bulk determines vessel design, port infrastructure requirements, and the safety regulations that apply to each category.
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