SD 1.3.3 Bulk Carriers

Bulk Carriers
Manuel Ventura
manuel.ventura@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Ship Design
Lectures of Master Course in Naval Architecture
and Ocean Engineering
2018
Contents
• Definition
• Types of bulk carriers
• Typical ship sizes
• Types of Cargo
• Typical Hull Configurations
• Cement Carriers
• Ships for the Great Lakes
• Bulk Loading/Unloading Terminal Equipment
• Annex A. IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers

• Annex B. Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers
• Annex C. Loading Conditions on Bulk-Carriers
M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 2
1
Bulk Carriers
Definition
• Ships for the carriage of homogeneous cargo, in bulk (not
unitized), with vertical loading/unloading through hatches
with large dimensions.
• Bulk carriers were remotely originated in the ships for bulk

cargo that appeared in Great Lakes of the EUA for the
carriage of iron ore. Even in 1900 these ships attained
lengths of about 150 m.
• The current configuration dates from the years 1960s.
Types of Bulk Carriers
• Bulk Carrier (Graneleiro) – with/without equipment for self

loading/unloading
• Ore Carrier (Mineraleiro) – with stowage factors of about

0.34 – 0.51 m3/t
• Cement Carrier (Cimenteiro) - with stowage factors of

about 0.79 – 0.83 m3/t
• Great Lakes – ships that operate in the region of the Great

Lakes, between the EUA and Canada, that are limited by the
maximum width of the St. Lawrence Canal (22.80 m);
characterized by being self-unloaders (buckets/conveyors),
having a large number of cargo holds and hatches and with a
deadweight ranging about 26,000 – 38,000 t
2
Combined Carriers
• OBO Ships (ore/bulk/oil), for the carriage of solid and liquid

bulk cargo
• ConBulkers (container/bulk), for the carriage of containers

and bulk cargo, generally provided with wide hatches and
lifting equipment
Typical Sizes
• Small – DW < 10,000 t
• Handysize – 10,000 t < DW < 35,000 t
• Handymax – 35,000 t < DW < 50,000 t
• Supramax – 50,000 t ≤ DW < 60,000 t
• Panamax – B ≤ 32.24 m, 60,000 < DW < 80,000 t
• Capesize – ships larger than Panamax or Suezmax (they can

not cross the canals), and that use the route of Cape Horn
or the route of the Cape of Good Hope to sail between
oceans, with 80,000 t < DW < 200,000 t
• Very Large Bulk Carrier – DW > 200,000 t
3
Special Sub-Classes
• Kamsarmax: ~82,000 dwt Panamax with increased

LOA = 229 m (for Port Kamsar in Equatorial Guinea)
• Dunkirkmax: ~175,000 dwt large Capesize with max

LOA = 289 m and max. B = 45 m (for the French port’s
eastern harbour lock at Dunkirk)
• Newcastlemax: ~185,000 dwt large Capesize with max.

beam B = 47 m (for use of the Australian port of Newcastle)
• Setouchmax: ~205,000 dwt large Capesize (VLBC)

with low design draught of 16.10 m and max. LOA = 299.9 m
(for ports in Setouch Sea in Japan)
• Valemax: ~400,000 dwt very large ore carriers

(VLOC) owned by the Brazilian mining company Vale SA.
Hull Structures – Class Notations
Harmonized Notation from IACS (Jan. 2002)
Recognizes three categories of bulk carriers:

• BC-I: bulk carriers designed to carry dry bulk cargoes with a
density < 1.0 ton/m3.
• BC-II: BC-I, plus carriage of cargoes with density ≥ 1.0 ton/m3
(with all cargo holds loaded).
• BC-III: BC-II, plus carriage of cargoes with density ≥ 1.0
ton/m3 (with specified holds empty at full draught).
4
Typical Prices of New Ships
Price
[Million US$]
Handysize
Handymax 18.5 (*)
Supramax
Panamax 21.0 (*)

Sources:
(*) Fearnleys Nov. 2002
Capesize 35.0 (*)
(**) Fearnleys 2016
Valemax 85.0 (**)
Types of Grain Cargo
5
Types and Properties of Grain Cargo
Spec.Weight Angle of Repose

Cereals
[t/m3] [degrees]
Cevada (barley) 0.645 46

Milho (corn) 0.710 15 - 26
Linhaça (linseed) 0.645 21
Aveia (oats) 0.516 21
Arroz (rice) 0.773 20
Centeio (rye) 0.750 32
Sem. de Açafrão (safflower seed) 0.530 28
Sorgo (sorghum) 0.735 31
Soja (soybeams) 0.722 22
Trigo (wheat) 0.800 23
Angle of Repose
• The angle of repose, is the maximum slope angle of the surface

formed when free-flowing grain comes to rest
• The angle of repose can vary greatly and depends on things like:
– size and shape of kernels
– moisture content
– fines and foreign material content
– presence of mold
– filling or emptying method
• For example, the angle of repose for dry corn can range from 15 to
26 degrees, however, the standard angle of repose for healthy dry
corn is about 23 degrees
6
Types of Ore
Spec.Weight Stowage Factor

[t/m3] [ft3/LT]
Minério de ferro (iron ore) 2.392-2.990 12-15
Grenalha de ferro 0.598-2.392 15-60
Carvão (coal) 0.747-0.854 42-48

Carvão mineral (anthracite) 1.554
Fosfatos (phosphates) 1.055-1.121 32-34
Bauxite (bauxite) 1.025-1.281 28-35
Areia (sand) 1.40 ~ 1.60
Notes:
1 LT (long ton) = 2240 lb = 1.016 t 1 T (short ton) = 2000 lb = 0.907 t
1 lb (pound) = 0.454 kg 1 t (metric) = 1,000 kg
Typical Hull Configurations
7
Typical General Arrangement
NOTE
Typically bulk carriers have an odd number (número ímpar) of cargo holds.
Typical Geometry of the Midship Section
Notes:
• Breadth of the hatches 
40% - 50% Breadth of the
ship
• Angle of the wing-tank
with the horizontal  30 >
angle of rest of the cargo
• Angle of the hopper-tank
with the horizontal  45-
50
NOTE:
When computing the volume of a cargo
hold do NOT FORGET to include the
volume of the hatch coaming.
8
Double-Bottom Tunnel (1)
• Generally in the double bottom is created one longitudinal

tunnel, a dry space for the passage of the main pipes of the
ballast and bilge systems
• In this case, the valves of the branch pipes are generally
also located inside the tunnel
• This tunnel can be either symmetrical or unsymmetrical in
relation to the centreline
NOTE:
Whenever the vertical keel is replaced by 2 longitudinal girders to
create a tunnel, these shall not be more than 3 meters apart (IACS)
Double-Bottom Tunnel (2)
• Symmetrical pipe tunnel
9
Cargo Area - Typical Cross Sections
Ore Carriers - Typical Sections
• Notes:
– Increased height of double-bottom in comparison to bulk carriers
– Section of the cargo hold
• Objective:
– Raise the position of the centre of gravity of the cargo
10
Hold/Ballast Tank for Emergency Ballast
• The central cargo hold of bulk carriers can be used to carry

additional ballast, in bad weather conditions
• This double functionality has implications at the level of the

structural dimensioning of the:
– Double-bottom
– Bulkheads (AFT and FWD)
– Hatch covers
• Another implication is the need to have the ballast system

piping with suctions on the cargo hold (not only bilge)
Corrugated Bulkheads (1)
• Generally the boundaries of

the cargo holds (with the
exceptions of the forward
bulkhead of the engine room
and the collision bulkhead) are
corrugated bulkheads
• The corrugated bulkhead are
typically composed by three
main parts:
– Lower stool
– Corrugated panel
– Upper stools
11
Corrugated Bulkheads (2)
• The stool spaces are

generally void spaces
• On the top of the lower
stool inclined plates are
located to facilitate the
flow of the cargo grain to
the bottom
• The corrugations are
often used to locate the
vertical access ladders to
the bottom of the cargo
hold
Access Ladders to Cargo Holds
• According to the IACS Common Rules for Bulkcarriers

(2012)
Hold Height Access Ladders

Vertical distance > 6.0 m an inclined ladder or series of inclined
between the upper ladders at one end of the cargo hold,
surface of adjacent except the uppermost 2.5 m of a
decks or between deck cargo space measured clear of
and the bottom of the overhead obstructions and the lowest
cargo space 6 m may have vertical ladders,
provided that the vertical extent of
the inclined ladder or ladders
connecting the vertical ladders is not
less than 2.5 m.
< 6.0 m either a vertical ladder or an inclined
ladder
12
Loading/Unloading Bulkcarriers (1)
• The IMSBC Code (International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes

Code), became mandatory from 1 January 2010.
• It includes both the BLU Manual and BLU Code
• The BLU Code (Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and
Unloading of Bulk Carriers) is intended for use by bulk
carrier ships.
• The BLU Manual (Manual on Loading and Unloading of Solid
Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives) is for use by
terminal operators, representatives or others who may be
involved in training relevant personnel.
Loading/Unloading Bulkcarriers (2)
• The BLU Code refers to the appendices within the Code and
the BLU Manual refers to annexes.
• Both manuals should be consulted to ensure safety of
operations during loading/unloading of bulk carriers.
13
BLU Code
PROCEDURES BETWEEN SHIP AND SHORE PRIOR TO THE

SHIP’S ARRIVAL:
• Loading plan stating the quantity of cargo required, stowage
by hatches, loading order and the quantity to be loaded in
each pour, provided the ship has sufficient information to be
able to prepare such a plan;
• Arrival and proposed departure draughts;
• Time required for de-ballasting
BLU Code
INFORMATION GIVEN BY THE TERMINAL TO THE SHIP

• name of the berth at which loading or unloading will take
place and the estimated times for berthing and completion
of loading or unloading
• characteristics of the loading or unloading equipment
• minimum depth of water alongside the berth and in approach
or departure channels
• mooring lines required
14
Bulk Carrier Ships
Bulk Carriers
Ships Gear less
Ships Geared
15
Very Large Ore Carrier
Vale Brasil
Loa 362.0 m
B 65.0 m
D 30.4 m
T 23.0 m
DW 402,347 t
Cargo Holds 7
Cargo Vol. 219,980 m3
Vs 15.0 knots
MCR 29,260 kW
Built in 2011 by Daewoo shipyards, is currently
the largest bulk/ore carrier in the world.
Cement Carriers
16
Cement Carriers (1)
• The modern cement carriers are specialized ships that carry

only this type of cargo
• Although still classified as bulk carriers, in their current
configuration they are ships totally closed, more similar to
tankers
Cement Carriers (2)
• They have complex

cargo handling
systems composed
by:
– A pneumatic
system
– A system of
conveyors and very
often
– A tower on the
main deck FWD
17
Cement Carriers (3)
• Can be classified in:

– Short sea (3,000 – 5,000 tdw)
– Deep sea
• The deep sea ships have DW ~ 20,000 t, a size imposed
– By the cargo loading ports
– By the storage facilities available at the discharge terminals
Cement Carriers (4)
• The cargo, although reasonably inert, is quite demanding and

require conditions of absolute dryness inside the holds,
which are totally enclosed
• Stability must be taking into consideration because the
cargo behaves almost as a liquid, sliding to one side with the
heeling of the ship.
• The cement powder is a serious problem that requires a
cautious handling to avoid the passage of the cement in the
air.
• The air exiting the cargo holds during loading is filtered and
recirculated
18
Cement Carriers (5)
• Mechanical systems are used to distribute the cargo inside

the holds to guarantee that they can be completely filled
• Mechanical conveyors are one possible alternative to

pneumatic blowers.
• Some systems have the capacity to load a ship at a rate of

1,500 t/h and of unloading it with a slightly lower rate.
• The ship’s cargo area is totally closed and capable of

loading/unloading in any weather conditions
Ships for the Great Lakes
19
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway
The St. Lawrence seaway is a geographical area between the USA and Canada.
It provides communication between lake Michigan and the Atlantic Ocean
Ships for the Great Lakes (1)
Typical Characteristics:
• Generally Self-Unloaders
• High number of cargo holds (11 ~ 15)
Physical restriction:
B < 22.80 m (St. Lawrence Seaway )
20
Ships for the Great Lakes (2)
Typical characteristics:
– Second superstructure forward
– Very simplified hull forms
– Almost round bow, no bulb
Cargo Hatchcovers
21
Hatch Covers Side-Rolling Type
• Bulk carriers are

generally equipped
with side-rolling type
hatch covers
• Advantages of this
type of covers:
• Hatch opening
totally accessible
• Small interval
between cargo
hatches
• Hydraulically driven
Bulk Loading/Unloading Terminal Equipment
22
Loading/Unloading Terminal Equipment
Bibliography
 IMO (1977), “Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading
of Bulk Carriers”, Resolution A.862 (20). (BLU Code)
 IMO (2005), “Manual on Loading and Unloading of Solid Bulk
Cargoes for Terminal Representatives”, MSC Circ.1160.
 Isbester, J. (1993), “Bulk Carrier Practice”, The Nautical Institute,
London.
• ISO 15401:2000 - Ships and marine technology – Bulk carriers –
Construction quality of hull structure
• ISO 15402:2000 - Ships and marine technology – Bulk carriers –
Repair quality of hull structure.
• BIMCO/MARTECMA Bulk Carrier Newbuilding Specification Guide.
23
Annex A. IACS Common Structural Rules for
Bulk Carriers
Typical Midship Section
Notes:
• Additional thickness in the top of
double-bottom plates for cargoes
unloaded by mechanical grabs.
• Double bottom structure with a

web frame spacing (S)
S < 3.5 m or S < 4s
• Classification HC (heavy cargo) for

heavier cargo in alternate holds
24
Typical Corrugated Bulkhead
Scantlings of the Corrugated Plate (1)
The plates of the corrugated bulkheads are computed as a stiffened

panel where the stiffener spacing, s, is determined from the geometry
of the corrugation, by the expression:
s = MAX(a,c)
25
The inertia of the corrugation, in [cm3], is computed by the expression:
The inertia of the corrugated

plates, in [cm3], shall not be less
than :
• The values of the span (l) used

to compute the corrugation are
represented in the figure
26
Number of Watertight Transv. Bulkheads
• All ships shall have at least the following transverse

bulkheads:
– Collision
– Aft peak
– Two bulkheads defining the boundaries of the engine room, in
ships with engine room amidships
– A bulkheads forward of the engine room when this is aft
– In ships with an electric propulsion system, both the generators
room and the engine room shall be bounded by watertight
transverse bulkheads
Additional Bulkheads
• In ships that do not have to comply with specific

compartment rules, there shall be a number of transverse
bulkheads not less than the values of the following table:
27
Double Hull - IACS Unified Requirements
• The definition of bulk carriers with double-hull in which

concerns the application of the Unified Requirements S17,
S18 and S20 has been under discussion in IACS, and the
following was decided:
– Minimum width of the double-hull ≥ 760 mm, for the ship to be
considered as double-hull.
– The width shall also be enough to allow the access and
inspection.
– Hybrid bulkers, with some holds single skin and others with
double skin, shall be considered as single skin ships.
Double Hull Structure (proposal)
28
Double Hull Structure
Some Ships with Double Hull
BCT70 (Bulk) BCT85 (OBO)
Length, overall [m] 228.60 246.00

Length, between PP. [m] 224.60 240.00
Breadth, molded [m] 32.24 32.24
Depth [m] 19.00 19.00
Draught, design [m] 12.50 12.50
Draught, max. [m] 14.10 14.10
Deadweight, at design draught [t] 63,000 66,000
Deadweight, at max. Draught [t] 74,000 77,500
Cargo Capacity (grain) [m3] 85,000 89,800
No. Cargo holds 9 9
Speed, service [knots] 13.8 13.6
Potência propulsora (MCR) [BHP] 10,900 10,900
29
General Arrangement of Double-Hull
Ship with 18.500 tdw
25,000 DW Bulk Carrier
30
25,000 DWT Bulk Carrier
Annex B. International Grain Code
SOLAS Chapter VI Part C. Carriage of Grain
31
International Grain Code
• The previously designated “International Grain Code”,

adopted by the MSC Resolution 23 (59), 1991 has been later
introduced in the SOLAS Convention Chapter VI- Carriage
of cargoes, Part B - Special provisions for bulk cargoes
other than grain
• IMO codes on trimming bulk cargoes require the cargo, with
particular attention to cargoes that may liquefy, to be
trimmed reasonable level to the boundaries of the
compartment to minimize the risk of bulk material shift.
• The very high loading rates, up to 16,000 t/hour, make the
loading task one that needs careful attention.
Heeling Moment due to Sliding of the

Grain
• The stability must be checked taking into consideration the

effects of the heeling moment die to the sliding of the grain in
accordance with SOLAS Chapter VI- Carriage of cargoes, Part B -
Special provisions for bulk cargoes other than grain of
32
Annex C. Additional Safety Measures for
Bulk Carriers
SOLAS Chapter XII
Bilge of the Compartments
SOLAS Chap.XII requires for bulk carriers:

• Installation of water level indicators in cargo holds, ballast
tanks and void spaces, equipped with alarms for max. levels
(Regulation 12)
• The means to drain and pump bilge water from void spaces
and from ballast tanks which have a part forward of the
collision bulkhead, shall be able to be activated from a
closed space and always accessible (Regulation 13)
33
New Bulk Carriers
Bow height &
Reserve buoyancy
Fore castle
Free-fall Lifeboat Fore Deck Fitting
Immersion suits
Hatch cover &
its Securing mechanism
Means of access Water level detectors
Double Side Skin & Harmonised notation & Water level detectors
Structural requirements in Design loading condition Pumping arrangement
flooding condition
In red: for New Bulk Carriers only
In black: for New & Existing Bulk Carriers
Bibliography
• IACS (2006), “Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers”
34
Annex C. Loading Conditions on Bulk-Carriers
IMO MSC.1159 - Guidelines on the Provision of

Stability-Related Information For Bulk Carriers
Required Loading Conditions
1. Lightship
2. Docking
3. Fully loaded departure, with cargo homogeneously distributed
throughout all cargo spaces and with full stores and fuel
4. Fully loaded arrival, with cargo homogeneously distributed
throughout all cargo spaces and with 10% stores and fuel remaining
5. Ballast departure, without cargo but with full stores and fuel;
6. Ballast arrival, without cargo but with 10% stores and fuel
remaining
7. Other departure and arrival conditions typical of the ship’s
intended service, such as:
– Alternate hold loading, ore loading, deep ballast, etc. as applicable; and
– Where appropriate, other conditions used for ballast water exchange.
35
Relevant Standards
• ISO 15401:2000 - Ships and marine technology -- Bulk carriers --

Construction quality of hull structure
• ISO 15402:2000 - Ships and marine technology -- Bulk carriers --
Repair quality of hull structure
Links
• http://www.jbprules.com
• http://www.intercargo.org
• http://www.shipstructure.org/derby.shtml
36

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What are the different types of bulk carriers?

What are the different types of bulk carriers?

What are the typical sizes of bulk carriers?

What are the typical sizes of bulk carriers?

Bulk Carriers

• Annex A. IACS Common Structural Rules for Bulk Carriers

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 2

• Bulk carriers were remotely originated in the ships for bulk

• The current configuration dates from the years 1960s.

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 3

Types of Bulk Carriers

• Bulk Carrier (Graneleiro) – with/without equipment for self

• Ore Carrier (Mineraleiro) – with stowage factors of about

• Cement Carrier (Cimenteiro) - with stowage factors of

• Great Lakes – ships that operate in the region of the Great

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 4

• OBO Ships (ore/bulk/oil), for the carriage of solid and liquid

• ConBulkers (container/bulk), for the carriage of containers

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 5

• Small – DW < 10,000 t

• Handysize – 10,000 t < DW < 35,000 t

• Handymax – 35,000 t < DW < 50,000 t

• Supramax – 50,000 t ≤ DW < 60,000 t

• Panamax – B ≤ 32.24 m, 60,000 < DW < 80,000 t

• Capesize – ships larger than Panamax or Suezmax (they can

• Very Large Bulk Carrier – DW > 200,000 t

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 6

• Kamsarmax: ~82,000 dwt Panamax with increased

• Dunkirkmax: ~175,000 dwt large Capesize with max

• Newcastlemax: ~185,000 dwt large Capesize with max.

• Setouchmax: ~205,000 dwt large Capesize (VLBC)

• Valemax: ~400,000 dwt very large ore carriers

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 7

Hull Structures – Class Notations

Harmonized Notation from IACS (Jan. 2002)

Recognizes three categories of bulk carriers:

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 8

Handymax 18.5 (*)

Panamax 21.0 (*)

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 9

Types of Grain Cargo

Spec.Weight Angle of Repose

Cevada (barley) 0.645 46

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 11

• The angle of repose, is the maximum slope angle of the surface

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 12

Spec.Weight Stowage Factor

Minério de ferro (iron ore) 2.392-2.990 12-15

Grenalha de ferro 0.598-2.392 15-60

Carvão (coal) 0.747-0.854 42-48

Bauxite (bauxite) 1.025-1.281 28-35

Areia (sand) 1.40 ~ 1.60

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 13

Typical Hull Configurations

Typical Geometry of the Midship Section

• Generally in the double bottom is created one longitudinal

M.Ventura (2018) Bulk Carriers 17

Double-Bottom Tunnel (2)

• Symmetrical pipe tunnel