What Is Dry Bulk Shipping? A Guide to Bulk Carrier Shipping
What Is Dry Bulk Shipping?
Dry bulk shipping moves unpackaged commodities (coal, iron ore, grain, fertiliser, steel products, logs, etc.) in bulk carriers — a fundamental part of the global trade logistics chain. Bulk carriers are classified by deadweight: Handysize (approx. 25,000–40,000 DWT), Supramax (approx. 40,000–60,000 DWT), Panamax (approx. 60,000–80,000 DWT) and Capesize (100,000+ DWT).
Major Cargoes and Typical Routes
Coal and iron ore are the two largest dry bulk cargoes by volume, mainly destined for China, India and other manufacturing and steel-making countries. Grain (soybeans, corn, wheat) mostly moves from the Americas to Asia and the Middle East. Fertiliser, steel products and timber also rely on bulk carriers. Typical routes include China–Australia (iron ore), China–South America (grain) and Far East–Persian Gulf (fertiliser).
Why Shipowners and Cargo Owners Choose Bulk Carriers
Bulk carriers offer low unit transport costs and high cargo flexibility, ideal for large-volume, low-value commodities. Cargo owners secure capacity via chartering brokers or direct contracts with shipowners (voyage or time charter), while shipowners improve utilisation and returns through stable cargo flows and route mixes.
Rongjuxiang's Owned Fleet
Rongjuxiang Marine owns 8 bulk carriers of 50,000–60,000 DWT (Supramax class), trading across the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean, Red Sea / East Africa, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and China coastal waters. Whole-vessel and voyage charters are available — enquiries are welcome.