The term ‘dry bulk cargo’ can be used to describe a number of different raw materials, yet all share some key characteristics. A dry bulk cargo is usually:
Dry bulk cargo is split into two main groups: major bulks and minor bulks. There are three major dry bulk trades:
Combined, these account for around 67% of the world’s total dry bulk commodity trading. The remaining 33% is referred to as minor dry bulk trades, such as:
Let’s look at some of these dry bulk trades in more detail.
Iron ore is the raw material used to make iron. Found in the earth’s crust, there are, in fact, a number of different iron ores, including:
Iron ore is refined (this involves removing the oxygen from it) and turned into iron, which is then used in many industries across the globe.
Coal is typically mined using large machines, in one of two ways:
After extracting the coal from the ground, it is sent to a plant for cleaning and processing. Considered a fossil fuel, coal is mainly used to generate electric power, however it does have a number of other uses. For example, it can be used to produce cement, medicines, tars and heating. Furthermore, a specific type of coal (metallurgical coal) can also be used for making steel.
Grain (also known as cereals) is the name given to a group of commodities that includes wheat, oats, rice, and corn, which all come from harvesting the seeds of grasses. While cereals are produced in a number of countries, China is the biggest producer and is responsible for a quarter of the global grain output. Internationally, grains are the most important staple food, which explains why this dry bulk cargo is in such high demand. However, this high demand is not without its risks as grain is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous dry bulk cargoes to transport.
Typically, sand is mined through an open pit but it can also be extracted from beaches and inland dunes, or dredged from sea beds and riverbeds. It is a valuable dry bulk commodity as it has a number of commercial uses, including:
Scrap metal refers to metal which is left over from a manufacturing process, or has been discarded by consumers, but which can be recycled and has monetary value. It may include large items like machinery parts and building supplies, as well as smaller items such as tin cans and metal drillings. There are two main types of scrap metal:
The transportation of scrap metal involves a number of potential hazards, such as:
Bauxite is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. It can be found in many countries, with large deposits in West Africa, Australia, South America and India, as well as smaller deposits in the Caribbean and Southern Europe. Brownish-yellow in colour, it is generally found close to the earth’s surface with layers varying from under 1 metre to over 40 metres. After being mined, bauxite is used to make alumina (aluminum oxide) which, in turn, is used to create aluminium metal. Bauxite can also be used for the manufacture of other industrial products including abrasives, cement and chemicals.
