Break Bulk
Break Bulk (or break-bulk cargo) is cargo that is shipped as separate, individually handled pieces — crates, cartons, drums, bags, bundles, reels, vehicles and machinery — loaded and discharged one unit at a time, rather than packed in containers or poured as free-flowing bulk. It is the oldest form of general cargo shipping, handled with the ship's or terminal's cranes, slings and forklifts.
Although containerisation has absorbed most general cargo, break-bulk remains essential for goods that are too large, heavy or awkward to containerise — project cargo, steel, timber, generators, turbines and industrial plant. Break-bulk shipping is slower and more labour-intensive to load and secure, needs careful stowage and lashing, and is priced per freight ton (weight or measure, whichever is greater). It overlaps with flat-rack and heavy-lift shipping for out-of-gauge loads.
Not everything fits in a box. Turbines, steel coils, rolling stock and project plant still move as break-bulk, and that cargo needs specialist stowage, lashing and heavy-lift handling that containerised shipping does not. Understanding break-bulk — and when it beats a flat-rack or a container — is essential for anyone moving industrial and project cargo.
How is break-bulk different from bulk cargo?
Bulk cargo is homogeneous and free-flowing (grain, ore, oil) loaded loose; break-bulk is discrete pieces (crates, machinery) handled individually.
Why use break-bulk instead of containers?
For cargo too large, heavy or awkward to containerise — project cargo, steel, timber and industrial plant.