A bulk commodity is generally referred to a substance such as coal, iron and grain, which is generally traded in large quantities. It has an unusual character which makes it easy for transportation. A transport system is generally planned to ensure that all its parts work together efficiently and in a minimum possible time. Water transport is one of the most important transportation chain which helps to move bulk commodities from one place to another place between producers and consumers. Cargo moves through the entire system as a series of distinct shipments. Storage areas in different locations act as a buffer to allow for time differences in the arrival and departure of particular commodity.

In general, a bulk transport system consists of a sea voyage and two land journeys which might be done through train, conveyor, lorry, and pipeline. There are four storage areas mainly - loading port, discharging port, destination, and handling operations as the cargo moves through the entire system. Ships are considered to be the part of bulk transport systems and are used by cargo shippers. For instance, the transport system places restraint on the size of ship. Depth of water and the berth length at both ports i.e. loading and unloading port, determines the maximum size of the ship which can be used to transport a particular commodity from one place to another.

The key aim is to move the cargo as efficiently and cheaply in a minimum possible time whether the transport system is for a coal mine and a power station or chemical plant and fertilizer industry. Every commodity and a particular industry has definite specific transport requirements and no single system is best suitable for each and every situation. The vital principle of bulk transport is that unit costs can be decreased with the increasing size of cargo. In heavier and bigger ships, unit costs are low, in addition to cargo handling and storage charges are cheaper for high volumes. Thus, the bulk trades are continually under economic pressure to increase the cargo consignment size.

Delivery frequency of commodities from one place to another is very important from the shipper’s point of view and larger ships require less number of trips to deliver the same volume. Cargo handling, does not change with change in voyage distance, and so it becomes less important in the unit cost. There are numerous participants in bulk transport system. Cargo owners stood at first position in the businesses of bulk cargo transportation on a periodic basis. Their business varies very much from one customer to another customer. In industries such as paper, steel, pulp and oil refineries, cost-effective transportation of raw materials is very essential. They require the cheapest possible transport, whose most important objective is to reduce the transportation cost.

Market Dynamics

Some of the factors driving the growth of liquid and bulk transportation vessels market include high requirement of commodities such as crude oil and natural gas in emerging economies of Asia-Pacific such as India and China and Middle East. Thus, in order to bridge the demand and supply gap, liquid and bulk transportation vessels are highly required. High operational costs and maintenance of transportation vessels can obstruct the growth of liquid and bulk transportation vessels market. Large number of opportunities are present for liquid and bulk  transportation vessel manufacturers as new avenues for business are coming up with increase in number of imports and exports.

Market Classification

The global liquid and bulk transportation vessels market can be segmented based on cargo type, fleet type, application, and geography. Based on cargo type, the market is segmented into dry cargo, liquid cargo, gaseous cargo. Depending on the fleet type, the market segments include open fleet, covered fleet, and tanks. Based on the applications of bulk transportation vessels, the market is segmented into coal & petroleum (crude and refined); agricultural products; metal ores, metals & fabricated metal products; food products and beverages; secondary raw materials & wastes; chemicals; rubber & plastic; nuclear fuel; others. Geographically, the market is bifurcated into major regional markets as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa (MEA).

Report Coverage

Market Participants

Some of thekey market players of liquid and bulk transportation vessels include Gulf Agency Company, NYK Line, Cosco Dalian Ocean Shipping Company, Seacor Ocean Transport Inc., Shipping Corporation Of India, Odfjell Tankers AS, Agmark Logistics, Inc, Blt Chembulk Group, Toll Holdings Limited, and Shahi Shipping Ltd among others.

Market Segmentation

Market by Cargo Type

·         Dry cargo

·         Liquid cargo

·         Gaseous cargo

Market by Fleet Type

·         Open fleet

·         Covered fleet

·         Tanks

Market by Application

·         Coal & petroleum (crude and refined)

·         Agricultural products

·         Metal ores, metals & fabricated metal products

·         Food products and beverages

·         Secondary raw materials & wastes

·         Chemicals

·         Rubber & plastic

·         Nuclear fuel

·         Others

Market by Geography

·         North America

o   US

o   Canada

o   Mexico

·         Europe

o   UK

o   Germany

o   France

o   Rest of Europe

·         Asia-Pacific

o   China

o   Japan

o   India

o   Philippines

o   Rest of Asia-Pacific

·         Latin America

o    Brazil

o   Chile

o   Rest of Latin America

·         Middle East and Africa (MEA)

o   South Africa

o   Saudi Arabia

o   Rest of MEA