Making the Most of Waterborne Dry and Liquid Bulk Carriers

Know what to look for in maritime bulk carriers for the best shipping experience
By Yvette Pryce, Freelance Writer If you're shipping liquid or dry bulk materials overseas, you'll need to charter the services of a waterborne dry and liquid bulk carrier. You can just locate a cost-effective bulk carrier that specializes in your cargo, but making the most of waterborne dry and liquid bulk carriers means doing some extra investigation.

Whether you're looking for a dry bulk carrier or bulk liquid transport, you need to take a look at the same factors. The most important considerations are the ones that will same you money, time and worry. Consider the following to make the most of maritime bulk transport:

1. Check into the specific services the bulk carriers offer, such as customs clearance or door-to-door shipping.

2. Look into the loading and unloading options that the bulk shipping company offers, and make sure you're getting the safest and most cost-effective method possible.

3. Find tools offered online by dry bulk carriers to budget your shipping.

Understand the services that the liquid or dry bulk shipping company provides

When you're shipping bulk cargo, you want to find a company that will take care of the details for you. When shipping overseas, a company that handles customs and other documentation for you makes the shipping process more streamlined for your company. Other services like door-to-door or door-to-port shipping, plus access to tracking tools, can ensure that your product gets to its destination in a timely manner.
Try:  Schumacher Cargo Logistics services include customs clearance to most destinations and online tracking. Freight Dynamics provides the same basic services, but also includes forwarding services that can take your product from port to interior points in a timely fashion.

Consider loading and unloading options for bulk shipping, if you're shipping dry bulk

When you research bulk shipping companies, find out how they will load and discharge your product. Inefficient loading and unloading can cut into your time as well as your bottom line.
Try:  Self-unloaders are the most efficient way to unload dry bulk goods, and both CSL International and Aasenchar's Selfdischargers offer the latest in self-unloading vessels.

Find online tools for more cost-effective liquid or dry bulk shipping

It's always a good idea to get an accurate quote before you select maritime bulk transport providers, but some companies provide more than that and allow you to calculate additional costs yourself, such as tariffs.
Try:  Maersk provides free and accurate quotes, but also puts some power into the customer's hands by providing tools for figuring its Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) and the Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF). A.I.F. provides news on tariff adjustments and other logistics.

• When you're using bulk shipping to move your product to a port, consider using a transloading provider. A transloader can quickly and easily move your product from land transport to ocean transport, ensuring both safety and timeliness.