Dry bulk shipping refers to the movement of significant commodities carried in bulk :

- the so-called major bulks,together with ships carrying steel products (coils, plates and rods),

The importance of the dry bulk industry is that without the estimated 285 million deadweight tons of dry bulk shipping, global trade, industry and ultimately our current lifestyles, could not be maintained.

The international steel industry - for example, could not function without an efficient and cost effective maritime industry transporting the raw materials - coal and iron ore, as well as the means to ship the finished product around the world.

Looking around the average home, the unseen links with the dry cargo industry are all around. Toasting a piece of bread involves metal components in the toaster - manufactured processes using ores and alumina, grain used in the bread and coal-generated electricity providing the power.

	Size (deadweight tonnes)	No. in World fleet
Handies	10 - 49,999 dwt	2756
Panamax	50 - 79,999 dwt	1393
Capesize	80,000+ dwt	622