what is break bulk

Break bulk, also known as general cargo, is a system of transporting goods in pieces separately, rather than being shipped in a container. Break bulk cargo consists of goods transported, stowed, and handled piecemeal to some degree, typically bundled somehow in unit loads for hoisting, either with cargo nets, slings, or crates, or stacked on trays, pallets, or skids. Break bulk goods are stowed on board ship in individually counted units, and the large numbers of items are recorded on distinct bills of lading that list. Break bulk cargo is not in shipping containers, neither standard nor non-standard, instead, the goods are transported, packaged in smaller containers like bags, boxes, crates, drums, or barrels. Break bulk cargo is usually transported in bags, boxes, crates, drums, or barrels, or as unit loads secured to pallets or skids. Break bulk cargo is used for individual items that are oversized and overweight, such as construction equipment, oil and gas machinery, pipes, boats, turbine blades, ship propellers, generators, large engines, and steel parts. Break bulk shipping is a great option for over-dimensional cargo because it doesn’t usually require breaking down products to load them onto a vessel. Break bulk cargo is usually transported on break bulk vessels that come fitted with heavy-lift cranes that can manage heavy cargo safely and quicker than dockside cranes, which makes the process of loading/unloading faster and more efficient.