Break bulk

Break bulk is a system of transporting cargo as separate pieces rather than in containers. This type of cargo is non-containerized and used for individual items that are oversized and overweight, e.g. construction equipment, oil and gas machinery, pipes, boats, turbine blades, ship propellers, generators, large engines and steel parts. 

How Break Bulk Works?

Break-bulk cargo is usually transported in bags, boxes, crates, drums or barrels, or as unit loads secured to pallets or skids. Specialist break bulk vessels come fitted with heavy-lift cranes that can manage heavy cargo safely and quicker than dockside cranes, which makes the process of loading/unloading faster and more efficient.

The term ‘break bulk’ comes from the phrase ‘breaking bulk’, where part of a ship’s cargo is extracted or unloaded. A break-in-bulk point is a place where goods are transferred from one mode of transport to another, e.g. docks where goods are transferred from ship to truck.

Enjoy seamless, cost-effective break bulk services

When you need to ship cargo that can’t be neatly stored in a container, like a vehicle, boat or construction equipment, the solution is to place your shipment on a pallet or as boxed cargo and load it direct into a ship’s hold. Industry insiders call this “break bulk” shipping.

Why trust Arneet International for this process? Because we’ll expertly handle the complexities of moving your freight around the world, so you can focus on what matters: growing your bottom line.

Why Choose us?

Whether you’re shipping thousands of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) or the occasional less than container load, when you partner with Arneet International’s sea transport (freight) team, you’ll enjoy access to: