What is breakbulk and what are its advantages?

Not every product that is shipped has an ideal size. These types of products cannot be shipped in a container and thus must be packed in a special way. These types of goods are also called breakbulk. Common goods that are breakbulk packed are: reels and coils, steel girders, heavy or oversized goods.

What is breakbulk?
Breakbulk (also called general cargo/breakbulk cargo) are goods that, due to their special dimensions, do not fit into a standard container and are therefore declared and shipped individually. Normally, products are declared by weight or quantity. Breakbulk is a term derived from ocean freight. These breakbulk products cannot be shipped in a shipping container due to their dimensions, so they are shipped in crates or boxes.

Advantages of breakbulk
Because the goods go directly on the boat, the products do not have to be disassembled. This saves time and therefore money. Also, by packing breakbulk, large and heavy products can be transported simultaneously and do not have to be transported in multiple shipments. Because the goods are breakbulk packed, the goods can arrive at smaller ports.

Breakbulk is available at most ports around the world and requires little to no deconsolidation or reconsolidation. When loading and unloading goods at a port, equipment is already on the ship, saving time in transporting products.

Breakbulk terminal
Many breakbulk products are shipped in the Port of Rotterdam. Should you be interested in shipping your breakbulk products? Our specialists in the special services department can take care of our customers with all special shipments such as breakbulk. Rotra offers 1 contact person from quotation to invoice, specialist knowledge and 24/7 guidance and monitoring. More info? Get in touch.