7 different types of shipping cargo

Cargo refers to the goods that are transported from one location to another by any mode of transportation like air, water, rail, or road. The ocean cargo companies in India transport goods all over the world. In this post, we shall talk about the different types of cargo that are transported through oceans.

Types of Cargo:

1. Container Cargo: It is the cargo where different fixed-size shipping containers are used and transported through intermodal modes of transportation. Usually, electronics, toys, and clothes are transported in this cargo.

2. Liquid bulk cargo: The name speaks for itself, it contains goods that are liquid in nature and are transported in bulk. A specific tanker or a ship is designed to carry liquids or gases such as crude oil, vegetable oil, alcoholic beverages, citrus juices, petrol, LPG, and chemicals such as ammonia and chloride.

3. Dry Bulk: It is a commodity cargo that is transported unpackaged in bulk. Granular materials like sand and cement grains, iron ores, coal, and even edible stuff like salt and sugar make up dry bulk cargo.

4. Break Bulk: Break bulk cargo, also referred to as general cargo, consists of goods that need to be loaded individually and not in bulk. Break bulk cargo refers to goods that cannot fit into standard-sized shipping containers or cargo bins and must instead be transported in bags, boxes, crates, barrels, and other handling equipment such as wood, paper, steel rolls, and so on. At times, this cargo type includes massive and heavy objects for industrial or construction projects; it may then be named "project cargo." For instance, wind turbine blades, large generators, pipes, bundles of steel rods, etc.

5. Livestock: Livestock cargo contains animals that are still alive. This type of cargo shipment needs intensive care and maintenance throughout the whole transit time. It's important to take care of their health and nutrient requirements and keep the environment clean and well-ventilated during transportation.
6. Ro-ro: It stands for "roll on/roll off." Any cargo which can be rolled on or rolled off the vessel falls into this category. It may be self-driven like cars, motorbikes, buses, tractors, JCBs, or wheels, or loaded onto a roll-trailer like a container or generator, or even towed onto the vessel.

Even if the vessel has built-in ramps, terminals may be equipped with a ramp to make loading and unloading even easier. Terminals usually also have storage or waiting area.

7. Refrigerated Cargo: As the name suggests, refrigerated cargo, also known as a reefer vessel, is a shipping container with built-in temperature control features. Perishable goods like meat, fish, dry vegetables and fruits are the most common items we see in refrigerated cargo.

Also read: Future of Project Cargo in India