Sri Lanka's bulk and conventional cargo landscape: Current state and future potential

CONVENTIONAL and break-bulk shipping refers to cargo that cannot be containerised due to size, shape, or handling complexities. These types of cargo are typically oversized, awkwardly shaped, or require special handling, making them unsuitable for standard containers. In such cases, using conventional or break-bulk vessels allows for greater flexibility and cost-efficiency, particularly when transporting large volumes of a single type of cargo.

- BY CEYLON ASSOCIATION OF SHIPPING AGENTS

Break-bulk cargo can generally be categorised into two main forms: liquid bulk and dry bulk.

Liquid Bulk includes commodities such as crude oil, petroleum products, and other liquid chemicals. These are typically transported using tankers or specialised liquid cargo carriers.

Dry Bulk covers materials like iron ore, steel, fertiliser, grain, and other dry commodities. These are transported in bulk carriers designed for such goods.

In addition to these, there are general-purpose vessels, which are closely related to conventional vessels. These ships are highly versatile and can carry a mix of cargo types—including containers, vehicles, package cargo and machinery within a single voyage. This flexibility makes them a valuable asset in global trade, especially for routes or shipments that require diverse cargo handling.

Just as container vessels have evolved, the conventional and break-bulk carriers have also developed and continue to play a significant role in global logistics trade offering customers tailored logistics solutions and economy of scale, which is paramount importance to the industry.

A strategic overview of Sri Lanka's major ports and their cargo operations

Sri Lanka's port infrastructure can be strategically positioned classified into five primary ports: Colombo, Trincomalee, Galle, Kankesanthurai (KKS), and Hambantota. While Colombo remains the epicentre of maritime activity, each port plays a distinct role in handling various types of cargo, from conventional and break-bulk to bulk and Ro/Ro (roll-on/roll-off) operations.

Colombo Port