DRY BULK FLEET INTELLIGENCE
Bulk Carriers
Global Dry Bulk Fleet
Capesize behemoths to coastal Handysize vessels — complete dry bulk fleet classification, cargo intelligence, trading routes, and live tracking for 12,180 bulk carriers.
VESSEL SIZE CLASSIFICATION
Bulk Carrier Size Categories
| Class | DWT Range |
|---|---|
Capesize ~290 m | > 100,000 DWT |
Post-Panamax ~250 m | 80,000–100,000 DWT |
Panamax ~225 m | 65,000–79,999 DWT |
Supramax ~200 m | 50,000–64,999 DWT |
Handymax ~185 m | 40,000–49,999 DWT |
Handysize < 180 m | 10,000–39,999 DWT |
Too large for Panama or Suez — routes via Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn
Fits new Panama Canal locks (Neopanamax) but not original locks
Sized for original Panama Canal; dominant grain carrier class
Usually geared (cranes on board); Ultramax (60–64k DWT) is most modern variant
Self-geared vessels able to call smaller ports without shore cranes
Highly versatile; call at ports with draft restrictions or limited infrastructure
CARGO INTELLIGENCE
Key Dry Bulk Cargoes
| Commodity | Annual Volume |
|---|---|
| Iron Ore | 1,540M t/yr |
| Coal | 1,210M t/yr |
| Grain | 630M t/yr |
| Bauxite | 180M t/yr |
| Fertilizer | 240M t/yr |
| Minor Bulk | 1,620M t/yr |
LIVE FLEET DATA
Recently Tracked Bulk Carriers
| IMO | Vessel Name | Class | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9612472 | CAPE LION | Capesize | Underway |
| 9724183 | STAR GRIETA | Panamax | Berthed |
| 9803611 | ULTRAMAX SPIRIT | Supramax (Ultramax) | Underway |
| 9654920 | PACIFIC HARVEST | Post-Panamax | At Anchor |
| 9771053 | THOR FREJA | Handymax | Underway |
Sample data for illustration. Live AIS tracking available via HeyMariner vessel search.
DRY BULK MARKET
Dry Bulk Shipping Fundamentals
Dry bulk carriers are the workhorses of global commodity trade, moving the raw materials that power industry worldwide.
Geared vs Gearless
Many Supramax and Handysize vessels carry their own cranes (geared), allowing cargo operations at ports with no shore infrastructure. Capesize vessels are typically gearless.
Major Trade Routes
The largest trade flows are Australian iron ore to China, Brazilian iron ore to Asia, and US/Australian coal to Asia — all requiring large Capesize tonnage.
Port Time & Delays
Bulk carriers often spend significant time at anchor awaiting berths, particularly at major Chinese iron ore terminals. Port congestion directly impacts fleet utilisation.
Freight Rate Volatility
Dry bulk rates are highly cyclical, driven by Chinese steel demand, weather events affecting harvest outputs, and the supply of new vessel deliveries from shipyards.
IMO 2030 Targets
Bulk carriers face decarbonisation requirements under the IMO CII rating system. Wind-assisted propulsion, LNG dual-fuel, and ammonia-ready designs are emerging.
Self-Discharging Vessels
Specialized self-unloading bulk carriers are common in the Great Lakes and cement trades, using belt conveyors to discharge cargo without shore cranes.