Break Bulk Shipping

What is Break Bulk Shipping? 

When products are transported separately rather than packaged or consolidated into containers or other conventional units, it’s known as break bulk shipping. A shipping agency in Dubai uses this method for shipping items and cargo that are too big, heavy, or strangely shaped and cannot fit inside a typical shipping container. Due to its versatility and flexibility in transporting a wide range of cargo, break bulk shipping is very popular in Dubai. In this post, we’ll look into Break bulk freight in further detail.

Types and examples of Break Bulk Cargo:

We can divide bulky, heavy, and big freight into three types.

  1. Project cargo: Project cargo is considered the most complex and hardest cargo to ship by a shipping agency in Dubai, as it requires detailed shipment plans, and can be very expensive if anything goes wrong. Industries like mining, construction, aerospace, defense and military, engineering, automobile, etc. ship project cargo.
  1. Heavy lift cargo: Cargo that weighs between 1 and 1000 tones and is too big or heavy to be divided into smaller sections is referred to as heavy lift cargo. Some examples of heavy-lift cargo are turbines, boilers, generators, towers, satellites, reactors, etc.
  1. Out-of-gauge cargo: OOG shipments are too big to fit inside a typical shipping container. Large automobiles such as luxury buses, truck cabs, and car trailers; construction equipment such as cranes and bulldozers; aviation parts; unique and sizable pieces of art (sculptures), etc. are a few examples of out-of-gauge cargo. 

Benefits break bulk shipping offers to a in Dubai: 

  • Moving oversized and overweight items: Break Bulk shipping is the most effective method of shipping goods that are too big or irregularly shaped and heavy to fit in a cargo bin or container.
  • Faster handling: Breakbulk shipments can be loaded and unloaded straight onto and off the vessel, which reduces transit times.
  • Flexibility: Break Bulk shipping provides more loading flexibility by enabling the loading of individual items without requiring their consolidation into standard containers. This makes it possible to move a wide range of goods with ease.
  • Cost-effective: Compared to container shipping, it’s a cost-effective option to ship goods to a shipping agency in Dubai. 
  • Less complicated documentation: Breakbulk transportation requires only one bill of lading for the entire shipment. 

Types of Cargo that Break Bulk Shipping Transports:

Break Bulk Shipping Transports
  1. Grain and Farming Products like oats, rice, wheat, sugar, cotton, legume seeds, etc.
  2. Raw materials and metals like iron, coal, copper, etc.
  3. Goods like vegetable oils and other liquid food items that don’t require container packaging to be delivered in large quantities.
  4. Timber and wood products like sawn timber, wooden planks, etc.
  5. Heavy and large machinery for industrial use, vehicles, etc.

Why is Oceanic Breakbulk Preferred by a Shipping Agency in Dubai? 

The majority of large break bulk shipments utilize RO/RO, which saves money on things like storage, extra labor, equipment rental, and container rental. Additionally, RO/RO liner services make use of a regularly scheduled schedule, which reduces last-minute cancellations and postponements. If your delivery route is complicated, a transshipment will guarantee that your cargo arrives at its destination within a fair amount of time.

Key Points About Break Bulk Shipping on RoRo Vessels:

  • Safety and securing: When transporting break bulk cargo, RoRo ships have sections specifically designed for its safe fastening and securing. To secure the cargo, ropes, chains, and straps are used. 
  • Special equipment: To enable fast and efficient loading and unloading of break bulk cargo, special equipment like cranes, ramps, etc. are provided by RoRo vessels. 
  • Environment monitoring: Temperature and humidity levels within the ship’s holds are tracked to guarantee the break bulk cargo’s safety and quality during the transit.
  • Planning Logistics: Efficient logistics planning for the loading and unloading procedures guarantees cargo delivery on schedule with few problems or delays.

Types of shipping methods used in break bulk shipping: 

  • Manual loading: Skilled workers use specialized equipment like cranes, winches, and ropes to manually load and unload cargo onto a ship. Light-weight and small goods are commonly shipped by this method.
  • Ropes and special ropes: To safely tie and fasten items during loading and unloading,  ropes and specialty ropes are used. For huge and oddly shaped goods, this strategy is frequently used.
  • Use of pallets and wooden boards: Wooden boards and pallets are used sometimes to load and unload goods.
  • Use of straps and iron shackles: More safety measures need to be exercised for loading and unloading heavy goods. To tie goods firmly and securely during transit, straps and iron shackles are used.  
Manual loading

Risks of Bulk Cargo Transport: 

  1. Structural damage and damage to goods: There is a possibility that bulk carriers can break in two and sink due to structural damage during loading and unloading when loading heavy bulk cargo at high rates. Also, rough handling or strong vibrations can cause damage to goods. Both these possibilities can result in significant financial losses for owners. 
  1. Delivery delays: Adverse weather conditions, incorrect documentation, labor issues, technical issues, etc. can cause delays in the delivery of goods.
  1. Maritime accidents: Inadequate training of the ship operators, improper loading, mechanical failures, collisions, etc. can lead to maritime accidents.
  1. Oxygen depletion: Cargo that is self-heating has the potential to release large amounts of carbon monoxide and exhaust oxygen. Anyone visiting the cargo area as well as crew members may be at risk from this.
  1. Liquefaction and chemical hazards: Ship stability can be compromised by cargo liquefaction, which may result in a capsize. Explosions and fires can result from leakage of hazardous chemicals. 
  1. Logistical challenges: Several logistical challenges break bulk cargo poses, like the risk of theft and damage as the cargo is more exposed, regulation of local and international compliances for shipping heavy or large-sized goods, the requirement of specialized equipment for loading and unloading, etc. 

How to reduce risks in Break Bulk shipping: 

  • If personnel Air freight service in Dubai are trained properly in lashing techniques, weight distribution, inspecting errors before shipping, etc. the risks in Break bulk shipping can be reduced significantly. 
  • To shield cargo from environmental factors including dampness, sea, high temperatures, and harsh handling, use specialized packaging.
  • For break bulk shipping, pick a dependable and suitable mode of transportation, and make sure the carriers have the required licenses and certificates.
  • Make sure you have insurance to cover any potential damage, delays, or other disruptions, as well as thorough risk management measures for emergencies.
  • Make clear communication with your partner your priority for proper coordination and exchange of information during shipment procedures. 

Ship your break bulk cargo with the best sea freight company in Dubai: 

With over 36 years of expertise, AKL Global is the best sea freight company in Dubai, UAE. Their sea freight services in Dubai provide a safe and affordable choice for larger shipments. They have established themselves as the leading provider of shipping and logistics services because of their outstanding reputation, strategic location, efficient operations, and superior services.