Key Trades

A large variety of cargoes are carried on bulk carriers, but as a rule, the larger the vessel, the fewer commodities are commonly loaded.

For example, Capesize ships carry mostly iron ore, coal, bauxite and sometimes grain. Panamax sizes, in addition to these cargoes are also sometimes employed for the carriage of metcoke, petcoke, fertilisers, sulphur, salt, bauxite, alumina and steel slabs.

The smaller Handysize to Supramax sizes, in addition to the above, are also often employed in carrying cargoes such as steel products, scrap and sugar. The largest trade routes for the major bulk cargoes are commonly:

Iron Ore

Australia to the Far East and to Europe

India to the Far East

South Africa to the Far East and to Europe

Brazil to the Far East, Europe and to Argentina 

Chile to the Far East

Norway to Europe

Black Sea to the Far East

Coal

Australia to the Far East and Europe, with some cargoes also to Brazil and Argentina

Australia to India and South Africa to India

Indonesia to the Far East and to Europe

South Africa to the Far East and to Europe

Colombia to Europe

USA East Coast to the Far East and to Europe

West Coast of Canada to Far East

Wheat

North America to Far East, Middle East and Europe

Australia to the Far East and Middle East

East Coast South America to the Far East and Europe with some cargoes also to the Middle East

UK/Continent to the Middle East, North Africa

Black Sea to the Middle East

Soya Beans

USA (Gulf/Mississippi) to Far East, Middle East and Europe

US West Coast to Far East

Brazil to Far East and Europe

Argentina to Far East and Europe

Crude Oil

Middle East to Far East, North West Europe, USA, Indian sub-Continent, South Africa, Brazil, Red Sea, Mediterranean and Australasia

Red Sea to Far East, USA, North West Europe and Mediterranean

West Africa to Far East, North West Europe, Mediterranean, Indian sub-Continent, USA and South America

North Africa to Mediterranean, North West, USA and Far East

North Sea to USA and Far East

Baltic Sea to UK/Continent, Mediterranean, USA and Far East

Black Sea to UK/Continent, Mediterranean, USA and Far East

East Coast Mexico to USA, Europe and South America

Caribbean to USA, Europe, South America, Indian sub-Continent and Far East

South America to USA, Europe and Far East

Indonesia/Malaysia to Far East and Australasia

US Gulf to China

US Gulf to Mediterranean

Dirty Products

Middle East to Far East

North West Europe to Far East and USA

Mexico and Caribbean to USA, North West Europe and Far East

Baltic Sea to UK/Continent, Mediterranean, USA and Far East

Singapore to Far East

Inter-regional trade within Europe/Mediterranean

Inter-regional trade within South East Asia and Far East

Clean Products

Middle East to USA, Mediterranean, Europe and Far East

North West Europe to USA, Mediterranean, West Africa and Far East

Mediterranean to North West Europe, USA and Far East

US Gulf to South America and Europe

Caribbean to USA and Europe

Indian sub-Continent to USA, Mediterranean, Europe and Far East

North East Asia to US West Coast and West Coast South America

Singapore to Worldwide destinations

Inter-regional trade within Europe/Mediterranean

Inter-regional trade within Middle East and Indian sub-Continent

Inter-regional trade within South East Asia and Far East

Container ships predominantly carry finished goods covering diverse products such as electronics, clothing, fresh food items (in refrigerated containers), toys, furniture, logs etc but will also carry scrap and wastepaper.
 

Main East/West trades:

Asia / North America

Asia / North Europe

Asia / Mediterranean

Asia / Middle East

North Europe / North America

Main North/South Trades:

Asia / EC South America

North Europe and Mediterranean / EC South America

US / EC South America
 

There is also a sizeable Intraregional market, particularly Intra-Asia

Typically, ships of the following capacities will operate on specific tradelanes:

18,000+ TEU  Predominantly on the Asia/Europe Trade, though some on Asia/US

13,000+ TEU  Also predominantly on Asia/Europe but also Asia/US tradelanes

10,000+ TEU  Found mostly on Europe/Latam  and Asia/US trades

8,000+ TEU   Mostly split between Asia/US, Europe/US and Europe/Latam trades

5,200+ TEU   Found mainly on Europe/US but also Europe/Latam

4,000+ TEU   Can be seen on Europe/US and Europe/Latam trades

3,000+ TEU   Usually the Europe/Latam, also Europe/US

LPG Trades:

Major flows of LPG on VLGC's (in estimated order of volume):

AG to destinations East: of which majority is to Singapore / Japan range, and increasingly to India (occasionally Australia)

USA to destinations East; US Gulf, US East Coast, or US West Coast (smaller volumes) to Singapore / Japan range (occasionally to India, and to Australia)

USA to destinations West; US Gulf or US East coast to South America (or Central America), North West Europe or Mediterranean (incl Morocco)

West Africa to destinations East; majority to Singapore / Japan range (and less often West Africa to Mediterranean or North West Europe or South America)

North West Europe (usually Kaarsto, Norway):  to North West Europe or Mediterranean (and sometimes to East, Singapore/Japan range)

Australia (Westernport, and Dampier mainly) to East, Singapore / Japan range (occasionally Australian coastal)

LNG trades:

The largest global LNG trade flows continues to be the Intra - Asia-Pacific trades

The main flows are as follows:

Australia – Japan as well as large flows to South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand

Australia – China

Middle East (predominantly Qatar) to Asia / Asia-Pacific – this was previously the second largest trade but decreasing prices moved a considerable amount of the trade flow to Europe instead

Africa – Europe and also Africa – Asia

North America mainly to Europe, but also to Asia-Pacific

Russia mainly to Europe and Asia-Pacific