Breakbulk
Last updated: June 14, 2026
- Breakbulk is cargo loaded individually — in bags, boxes, crates, drums, or bundles — rather than in containers
- Common for oversized machinery, steel products, project cargo, and construction materials
- Breakbulk is NOT the same as bulk cargo (grain, coal, ore) — the two terms are distinct in logistics
Breakbulk is cargo that is loaded individually — in bags, boxes, crates, drums, or bundles — rather than in containers. It is commonly used for oversized machinery, steel products, and project cargo that cannot fit in standard containers, and is handled piece-by-piece at the port.
Chinese: 件杂货 (Jiàn zá huò)
Breakbulk vs. Bulk vs. Containerized
A common terminology mistake: breakbulk is NOT the same as bulk cargo. Bulk cargo is loose, homogeneous material — grain, coal, iron ore, oil — poured directly into a ship's hold or tank. Breakbulk is individual pieces you can count. Containerized cargo goes in FCL or LCL containers. Historically, all non-bulk cargo was breakbulk before containerization revolutionized shipping in the 1960s-70s. Today, breakbulk represents a small but important niche for cargo that cannot be containerized.
Practical Example
A steel mill in Tangshan exports 12 steel beams (each 14m long, 4 tons) to a construction site in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. At 14m, the beams exceed even flat rack container length (12m for 40ft). They must ship as breakbulk — loaded individually into the vessel's hold using shore cranes and vessel derricks. Each beam is lifted separately, positioned on dunnage (wooden supports), and secured with lashings in the hold. The breakbulk freight rate is $85 per freight ton (the greater of weight in tons or volume in m³).
Related Terms
- OOG (Out of Gauge) — cargo exceeding standard container dimensions
- Flat Rack — container alternative for many breakbulk shipments
- RO-RO — alternative for wheeled breakbulk cargo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is breakbulk the same as bulk cargo?
No. Breakbulk is individual pieces of cargo — bags, boxes, crates, drums, bundles — that are counted and handled as separate units. Bulk cargo is loose, homogeneous material (grain, coal, ore, oil) poured directly into a ship's hold or tank. Confusing the two is a common error in logistics terminology.
What are examples of breakbulk cargo?
Common breakbulk shipments include: steel coils, pipes, and beams; large machinery and industrial equipment; construction materials (precast concrete, structural steel); timber and lumber in bundles; rubber bales; paper rolls; and bagged commodities like cement, sugar, or fertilizer. Essentially any cargo that cannot fit in a container and is loaded piece by piece.
How is breakbulk freight charged?
Breakbulk freight is typically charged based on freight tons — the greater of the cargo's weight in metric tons or its volume in cubic meters. A 15-ton machine measuring 20m³ is charged on 20 freight tons. Rates vary significantly by trade lane and cargo type. Talk to our project cargo team for rates.
Need Logistics Help?
We handle breakbulk and project cargo from all major Chinese ports. Engineering and lashing plans included.
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