bulk freight
Loose commodity transport
Bulk freight is cargo transported in large, unpackaged quantities—grain, coal, ore, oil, or similar commodities loaded directly into ships, railcars, or trucks.
The term distinguishes loose materials from containerized or packaged goods: Bulk freight rates fell as demand for iron ore declined.
The infrastructure for handling bulk freight includes specialized terminals, conveyors, and vessels designed for specific cargo types.
- loading docksRaised platforms for freight transfer
- grainsSmall hard seeds
- coalCombustible sedimentary rock
- iron oreExtractable metallic mineral deposit
- tanker trucksVehicles transporting bulk liquids
cement · wood chips · industrial goods · sand · tramp steamer · weigh stations · sugar · salt · conveyor belts · dump trucks · bill of lading · crude oil · pipelines · fertilizers · grain silos · raw materials · storage facilities · tonnage