According to an update from the Metal Bulletin, the recent container shortage and rise in freight rates have led to a revived interest in breakbulk transportation for metal cargoes.
Metal Bulletin says “Producers and physical traders of metals, agricultural, chemical and timber products have been starting to book shipments in breakbulk vessels, which cost far less and don’t require vast amounts of equipment in port.”
“On the metals front, the main markets making the switch so far are steel and aluminium, although it is an option suitable for all non-ferrous primary metals and concentrate plus most value-added products.
Aluminium shipments are already being loaded onto breakbulk vessels in Malaysia and the Middle East, market participants say; there is already a backlog developing because loading takes longer.”
