Main types of cargo Transported by sea

The logistics and shipping industries use the term cargo for commercially valued goods for trading. In this blog, we are going to explain the main types of cargo.

What is the cargo?

Cargo is a name for goods or products that are transported from one place to another place by using air, sea, and land. We can simply say as a carriage of commercial goods into a vehicle like a ship, airplane, train, truck, etc. consider cargo.

It may be product or material, work-in-progress goods so on. Especially when transporting animals by vehicle, ship, or airplane it’s called livestock cargo.

Types of cargo transporting by sea

Next, I would like to explain the types of cargo, which is transported by sea,

1. Containerized cargo

This type of cargo transported in a container is called containerized cargo. Most of the time containerized cargo uses multimodal transportation. It means using two or more modes of transportation.

For example, a container is transported to the port by truck and loaded to ship for transport then unloading the port of destination. After that carry to doorstep by truck.

For further details of containerization, you can read a blog of Do you know the Secrets of cargo containerization in 2023

2. Bulk cargo

Bulk cargo is products that are transported in large quantities without packaging.

Bulk cargo is divided into 2 categories. As a dry bulk and liquid bulk cargo

Dry Bulk Cargo

Transport large quantities of unprocessed cargo materials. There is no package. when loading and unloading cargo from the vessel done by hold of the ship.

Construction material-sand, cement
Food-Sugar, salt, Grain (wheat, rice, dhal, maize, barley)
bulk forest products-paper pulp, papers, reels of papers, timber, newsprints
Fertilizer
Clinker
Wood chips

Liquid Bulk Cargo

A large amount of Liquid product transported is called liquid bulk cargo. It is transported in a free-flowing liquid form.

Crude oil, vegetable oil, chemicals
Liquid gas-natural gas, liquid petroleum gas
Palm oil, petrol, diesel, kerosene

3. Break Bulk

called general cargo. handle in separate pieces. Loaded individually or more. It may unpack. Large heavy items are shipped as a break bulk cargo. May be transported large construction projects or for industrial purposes. It is called project cargo.

wind turbine blades
large generators
Pipes
bundles of steel rods

4. Roll-On Roll-Off

Commonly named use as Ro-Ro
It means basically this type of cargo use rolling principle to load and unloading process of the cargo.
Vehicles

Bus, van, car, etc all kinds of vehicles

5. Refrigerated cargo

they are packed and frozen foods, it is perishable in nature. This type of cargo handling is a higher risk and difficult.in case of mistake or temperature changes matter effect to waste of reefer cargo due to perishable or cannot be used. Because need to control, the temperature according to relevant instructions.

For transport, this kind of cargo use a ship called a reefer ship.

meat
fish
vegetables
fruits

6. Livestock

Livestock meaning is transporting live animals from one place to another place.

7. Dangerous cargo

Dangerous cargo is also known as Hazardous or hazmat cargo.

Dangerous cargo can be defined as a material or substance which can be poising and effecting an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of the people as well as damaging property, vessel, or environment. That goods are in transporting and storage of the goods.

8. Bonded cargo

Bonded cargo is imported cargo stored without paying duty. When an importer needs to clear goods, he can release goods in small quantities for paying duty for that amount of goods only. Likewise, importers can release the cargo more times.

It is beneficial to importers because no need to pay the whole duty at one time. And also, it is no need to keep the warehouse. He can release the cargo when he needs it. So, warehouse cost also saving.

what is Bonded warehouse: Everything you need to know

9. Project cargo

This type of cargo is transported for special projects. For example, importing items for construction projects. It is different from other cargo sometimes it could be containerized due to the size of the product. In this case, use special-purpose containers or special methods for shipping.

10. Special-purpose cargo

Special purpose cargo is different from generally transported goods. It is transported for a special purpose. It may be bulk commodities like heavy equipment, machinery