Cargo Ships Types: Everything You Need to Know
- Dushyant Bisht
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Key Takeaways
Cargo ships handle non-containerized and specialized cargo. The segment covers goods that do not fit standard container dimensions, including oversized equipment, vehicles, heavy machinery, and project components.
Seven cargo ship types serve distinct operational functions: general cargo ships, multipurpose ships, heavy lift ships, RoRo ships, refrigerated ships, project cargo ships, and break bulk carriers.
Cargo ships carry onboard cranes; container ships do not. This allows cargo ships to operate at ports without shore crane infrastructure.
Heavy lift ships can lift up to 3,000+ tons using specialized cranes, serving industrial and infrastructure projects that no other vessel type can accommodate.
Break bulk and specialized cargo shipping accounts for approximately 20% of global maritime trade by value, despite containerization's dominance (1).
Introduction
Container ships carry standardized boxes. Bulk carriers carry loose commodities. Cargo ships handle everything that falls between those two categories: packaged goods, oversized equipment, vehicles, industrial components, and mixed cargo requiring flexible handling.
The segment persists because significant cargo categories do not suit containerization.
This guide covers the seven cargo ship classifications, their operational distinctions, and the market conditions each serves.
Cargo Ships vs Other Ship Types
Container ships transport standardized containers, efficient but inflexible for non-standard cargo. Bulk carriers transport loose commodities in large holds. Cargo ships occupy the space between both: they carry onboard cranes, operate flexible holds, and handle diverse goods on a single voyage. The segment still represents approximately 20% of global maritime trade by value (1).
Types of Cargo Ships
General Cargo Ships
Capacity: 5,000–20,000 DWT. 3–5 cargo holds. 2–4 onboard cranes.
General cargo ships transport bagged goods, crated machinery, palletised products, and bundled materials such as steel or timber. They can carry multiple cargo types on a single voyage. Fleet numbers have declined significantly since containerization, but the type continues to serve trades where port infrastructure is limited and cargo does not justify container operations, primarily in developing markets and regional routes (2).
Multipurpose Cargo Ships
Capacity: 10,000–40,000 DWT. Heavy-duty cranes: 100–300+ ton lifting capacity. Strengthened decks. Tweendecks for flexible hold configuration.
Multipurpose ships carry containers, break bulk, project cargo, and heavy equipment, often in combination on the same voyage. They can switch between cargo types based on market demand. This flexibility commands premium charter rates. The type is widely deployed on trades connecting industrialised and developing economies where cargo diversity is high.
Heavy Lift Ships
Crane capacity: 200–3,000+ tons. Reinforced decks for concentrated loads. Sophisticated ballasting systems. Specialised rigging equipment.
Heavy lift ships transport power plant turbines, refinery modules, bridge sections, large yachts, and oversized industrial equipment. Each operation requires detailed engineering analysis and custom planning. Relatively few ships globally have this capability, resulting in high day rates (3).
RoRo Ships (Roll-on/Roll-off)
RoRo ships carry wheeled cargo. Vehicles drive directly on and off via built-in ramps. No cranes are required. The design uses multiple internal decks connected by ramps.
Cargo includes automobiles (thousands per voyage), trucks, trailers, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and military vehicles. Turnaround at port is fast, thousands of vehicles can be loaded or discharged within 24 hours.
Variants: Pure Car Carriers (PCC) transport only automobiles. Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC) handle mixed vehicle types.
Refrigerated Cargo Ships (Reefers)
Capacity: 250,000–600,000 cubic feet (measured by volume, not weight). Sophisticated refrigeration and controlled atmosphere systems.
Reefer ships transport bananas, tropical fruits, meat, dairy, and pharmaceuticals. The type increasingly competes with refrigerated container operations but remains more efficient on dedicated high-volume routes, particularly banana trades from Latin America.
Project Cargo Ships
Project cargo ships are often purpose-modified for specific operations, with semi-submersible capabilities for float-on/float-off loading, specialised cranes, and custom-configured holds.
Cargo includes oil rig components, mining equipment, power plant sections, and desalination plants. Custom engineering is required for each operation. These ships are typically time-chartered for specific projects, with high day rates reflecting operational complexity.
Break Bulk Carriers
Capacity: 10,000–40,000 DWT. Onboard cranes. Flexible hold configurations.
Break bulk carriers handle steel coils, bundled steel, timber, machinery, and bagged commodities, cargo loaded as individual pieces. Loading takes longer than container operations. The segment has contracted but demand persists for cargo that cannot be containerized or where volumes do not justify container operations.
Cargo Handling Equipment
Cargo ships are defined by their onboard cranes, ranging from lightweight units handling a few tons to heavy-lift systems exceeding 1,000 tons. This provides operational independence at ports without shore cranes. Tweendecks, removable intermediate decks within holds, allow ships to separate and optimize space for different cargo types.
When Cargo Ships Are Used Over Containers
Oversized cargo exceeding container dimensions requires cargo ships. Project cargo for industrial facilities typically requires heavy-lift or project cargo vessels. Vehicles are more efficiently handled by RoRo operations. For cargo that does not pack efficiently into containers, break bulk shipping can also be cheaper. For standard goods, containerized shipping is generally lower cost.
From the Helm: Asset Context
When evaluating cargo ship assets on Shipfinex, versatility often commands premium charter rates. Multipurpose ships and heavy lift tonnage serve specialized niches with less competition than container or bulk trades. However, operational complexity requires experienced management. Understanding cargo ship specialization's allows owners to assess whether specific assets match their risk appetite and operational knowledge.
Conclusion
Cargo ships serve the trade segments that containerization cannot cover. Each of the seven types addresses specific cargo handling requirements. The classification determines the asset's charter market, operational complexity, and infrastructure requirements.
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Disclaimer:
This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. All digital assets carry inherent risks, including potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please review the relevant offer and risk disclosures carefully before making any financial decision.
FAQS
What are the main types of cargo ships?
The main types of cargo ships include general cargo ships, multipurpose ships, heavy lift ships, RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) ships, refrigerated cargo ships (reefers), project cargo ships, and break bulk carriers. Each type is designed for specific cargo handling requirements and operational needs.
What is the difference between cargo ships and container ships?
Container ships exclusively carry standardized containers, while cargo ships handle non-containerized cargo including machinery, steel, timber, vehicles, and oversized equipment. Cargo ships typically have onboard cranes and are more versatile in handling diverse cargo types that don't fit in standard containers.
What is a general cargo ship used for?
General cargo ships transport diverse non-bulk, non-containerized cargo including bagged goods, crated machinery, bundled steel, palletized products, and equipment. They feature onboard cranes and flexible cargo holds that can accommodate various cargo types on the same voyage.
What are heavy lift ships and what do they carry?
Heavy lift ships are specialized cargo ships equipped with powerful cranes (often 200-3,000+ tons capacity) designed to transport exceptionally heavy or oversized cargo like industrial equipment, power plant components, oil rig modules, and large construction machinery that cannot be transported on standard ships.
Dushyant Bisht
Expert in Maritime Industry
Dushyant Bisht is a seasoned expert in the maritime industry, marketing and business with over a decade of hands-on experience. With a deep understanding of maritime operations and marketing strategies, Dushyant has a proven track record of navigating complex business landscapes and driving growth in the maritime sector.
Email: [email protected]
References
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2024). Review of Maritime Transport 2024. https://unctad.org
Drewry Maritime Research. (2024). Multipurpose and General Cargo Shipping Market Analysis. https://www.drewry.co.uk
Baltic and International Maritime Council. (2024). Heavy Lift and Project Cargo Shipping: Market Overview. https://www.bimco.org