Dry Bulk
These vessels carry dry (grains, fertilizers, phosphates and ores) bulk cargo.
Capesize Bulk Carrier
These are vessels that are too large to pass through the locks of either the Panama or Suez Canals. As a result, these vessels must travel around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa or Cape Horn in South America to their destinations. These vessels also require deep-water ports. Only the longest ports around the world possess the infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this size. Capesize vessels are primarily used to transport iron ore or coal and, to a much lesser extent grains, primarily on long-haul routes.
Classic Panamax Bulk Carrier
This is the maximum size ship that can pass through the locks of the old Panama Canal. Locks are length (LOA) of 320.04m (1,050ft); beam of 33.53m (110ft); draft of 12.04m (41.2ft). Air draft 57.91 m (190ft) measured from the waterline to the vessel's highest point; limit also pertains to Balboa harbour. Classic Panamax vessels have a carrying capacity of 60,000-79,999 dwt. These vessels carry coal, iron ore, grains and to a lesser extent, minor bulks, including steel products, cement and fertilizers.
Handymax Bulk Carrier
These are a larger version of the Handysize vessels and popular for bulk carriers. These ships are capable of travelling to small ports with length and draught restrictions, as well as lacking the infrastructure for cargo loading and unloading.
Handysize Bulk Carrier
These are small bulk carriers that make up the majority of the world's short haul fleet. They usually have the ability to load and unload cargo via onboard cranes. The dry bulk cargo includes iron ore, coal, cement, phosphate, finished steel products, wooden logs, fertilizer, and grains to name a few.
General Cargo
General cargo ships are often equipped with their own cargo handling facilities, requiring cranes with a range of lifting capacities and outreach ratings that can be equipped to handle any type of cargo. Vessels of this type are normally equipped with hatch covers designed to bear heavy loads. Weathertightness and cargo hold humidity are important issues. For tween decks, stowing length of the equipment must be kept to a minimum.
