What is Break Bulk Shipping?
Break bulk (or breakbulk) refers to a method of shipping cargo that is not containerized or transported in bulk tanks. Instead, goods are individually loaded, transported, and unloaded—often in crates, barrels, pallets, bags, boxes, or as large, oversized pieces like machinery and construction equipment.
Break bulk cargo is typically too large, heavy, or irregularly shaped to fit into standard shipping containers and must be handled as separate units.
Key Characteristics of Break Bulk Cargo
- Shipped as individual pieces rather than in bulk or containers
- Requires manual or specialized handling equipment (cranes, forklifts, slings)
- Commonly used for oversized or heavy-lift items
- Typically loaded directly onto the vessel’s deck or hold
Examples of Break Bulk Cargo
- Industrial machinery
- Steel girders or pipes
- Wind turbine blades
- Construction equipment
- Heavy vehicles or mining parts
- Bagged agricultural products
Advantages of Break Bulk Shipping:
- Ideal for non-containerized, oversized, or heavy goods
- No need for specialized containers
- Enables direct delivery to remote or underdeveloped ports with limited container facilities
- Allows for flexibility in handling and loading sequences
Disadvantages:
- Longer loading/unloading times
- Higher labor and handling costs
- Increased risk of cargo damage or theft if not well-secured
- Often requires more detailed logistics planning
Example in Practice
A U.S.-based engineering firm exports a 50-ton turbine to Brazil. Due to its size and weight, the turbine is shipped as break bulk cargo and loaded individually onto the vessel using dockside cranes.
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