ABSTRACT
Major dry bulk commodities include iron ore, coal, and grains. They are not homogeneous as there are several grades of coal used for making steel (coking coal) and energy generation. The offshore handling of dry bulk cargo takes place which ranges from simple floating cranes to floating transfer stations with large offshore storage. Minor bulks include cargoes such as fertilizers, bulky agricultural products, cement, sand, petroleum coke, and metal scrap. Liquid bulk terminals are equipped to handle cargoes in liquid and gaseous forms, such as crude oil, oil products, LNG, and LPG. There are several types of roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) terminals, each focused on specific market segments. The short-distance RoRo services market can involve accompanied transport, where truck-trailer combinations go onboard with drivers, or unaccompanied transport, where trailers make the crossing without drivers. Break-bulk cargo is handled by cranes on the quay, floating cranes, or the ship’s own cargo gear.
