breakbulk
Non-containerized freight shipping
Breakbulk refers to cargo that is loaded and unloaded piece by piece rather than in standardized shipping containers.
Before containerization transformed global shipping in the mid-20th century, most cargo moved this way—crates, barrels, bags, and bundles handled individually by longshoremen.
The term persists for goods too large or awkward for containers: breakbulk cargo like steel beams and heavy machinery.
As a verb, to breakbulk is to divide a large shipment into smaller lots for distribution.
Receptacle for contents
- stevedoreShip cargo handler
- longshoremanHarbor freight worker
- dockMooring structure at water's edge
- wharfShip docking structure
pier · crane · derrick · hatch · hold · stowage · loading · unloading
Flat freight platforms
- cratesSturdy shipping containers
- barrelsCylindrical storage vessels
- drumsStruck membrane instruments
- bagsFlexible carrying containers
bales · sacks · bundles · cartons · boxes · coils · steel · lumber
Seafaring cultural inheritance
- dockworkerPort cargo loader
- hookCurved catching device
- cargo netWoven restraint for shipments
- tallymanOne who counts items
checker · union · waterfront · tramp steamer · clipper · merchant marine
Treatment or management
- storageSpace for keeping goods
- warehousingStoring goods commercially
- inventoryCatalog of held assets
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
deconsolidation · transshipment · multimodal · customs · documentation · bill of lading · tariff · demurrage
vessel
Receptacle for contents
- stevedoreShip cargo handler
- longshoremanHarbor freight worker
- dockMooring structure at water's edge
wharf · pier · crane · derrick · hatch · hold · stowage · loading · unloading · manifest
pallets
Flat freight platforms
bags · bales · sacks · bundles · cartons · boxes · coils · steel · lumber · machinery
maritime heritage
Seafaring cultural inheritance
- dockworkerPort cargo loader
- hookCurved catching device
- cargo netWoven restraint for shipments
tallyman · checker · union · waterfront · tramp steamer · clipper · merchant marine
handling
Treatment or management
- storageSpace for keeping goods
- warehousingStoring goods commercially
- inventoryCatalog of held assets
consolidation · deconsolidation · transshipment · multimodal · customs · documentation · bill of lading · tariff · demurrage · drayage
breakbulkcontainerized
Placed in standardized units
container shipping · containerization · intermodal · palletized · roll-on/roll-off
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