Maritime glossary
Handysize
A small, flexible dry bulk carrier of roughly 10,000 to 40,000 DWT, often fitted with its own cranes.
Definition
Handysize is the smallest mainstream dry bulk class, about 10,000 to 40,000 DWT. Geared with its own cranes and modest in draught, a Handysize can call at smaller, shallower ports that larger bulkers cannot reach, and carries minor bulks like grain, cement, steel, and fertiliser as well as the major commodities. The closely related Handymax and Supramax classes sit just above it.
How Vessel Hunter uses Handysize
Handysize tonnage spreads across thousands of small ports, which is exactly where Vessel Hunter’s approaching-ports inbox earns its keep for local agents and suppliers.
Related terms
- Supramax
A geared dry bulk carrier of roughly 50,000 to 60,000 DWT, between Handymax and Panamax.
- Capesize
A large dry bulk carrier above roughly 150,000 DWT, too big for the Suez and Panama canals.
- Bulk Carrier
A single-deck ship built to carry unpackaged dry bulk cargo like grain, coal, ore, and cement in large holds.
- General Cargo Ship
A flexible ship that carries packaged, palletised, or break-bulk cargo, often with its own cranes.
The bigger picture
Handysize is one piece of the commercial maritime picture Vessel Hunter pulls together for shipyards, suppliers, service providers, and port agents. Every vessel record bundles AIS, ownership, inspections, dry-dock history, casualty record, classification status, and a verified contact for the operator decision-maker behind the ship, so the team that reaches out first wins the work.
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