Bulk Cargo: Features and Rules
Bulk Cargo: Features and Rules
In this article, we discuss which cargo is classified as bulk, as well as the features and rules of its transportation.
What Cargo is Classified as Bulk?
The list of bulk cargo includes approximately 400 items. It is a homogeneous mass of particles ranging in size from 0.05 to 0.32 mm. Due to its high flowability, transporting such cargo has its own specific requirements.
Differences Between Bulk and Loose Cargo
Bulk cargo is a general term for substances that cannot be formed or transported in closed containers. This category includes loose cargo. The main difference lies in the size. Bulk cargo includes crushed stone, coal, and grain crops such as oats and wheat.
Loose cargo includes:
- Sugar;
- Salt;
- Fine-grained cereals;
- Sand;
- Crushed stone;
- Fine gravel.
The peculiarity of transporting loose cargo is that particles can easily scatter during movement or strong winds, which is why special rules have been developed for their transportation.
Rules for Transporting Bulk Cargo
Bulk cargo is transported either by road or rail.
- General rules include:
- Loading with specialized vehicles;
- The weight of the cargo must not exceed the maximum capacity of the vehicle (as specified in the vehicle's documentation);
- Vehicles must have high sides;
- A securely fastened tarp is mandatory;
- Mass must be monitored at each stage, and loss volumes must be recorded;
- Only one type of cargo is allowed in the vehicle;
Speed limits must be strictly observed.
Trailers are loaded only up to the level of the sides. The cargo area must be clean and disinfected. Typically, specific types of vehicles are used for each type of cargo: dump trucks, grain carriers, or container carriers.
How Bulk Cargo is Transported in Covered Railcars
When transporting by rail, it is crucial to follow safety protocols and, ideally, minimize human involvement during loading and unloading.
Unlike road transport, in railcars (except for natural shrinkage), the cargo has nowhere to go. However, special attention must be paid to the railcar's airtightness.
