3.1 A bulk carrier is a cargo ship designed and
built for carriage of dry bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, ore, etc.
The cargo hold structure with topside tanks at both shoulders and
double bottoms with hoppers at both wings has been designed as the
best structure for dry bulk cargo transportation. The shape of topside
tanks provides sufficient stability to prevent dangerous cargo shift,
and bilge hoppers contribute to convenience in collecting the cargoes
on discharge.
3.2 In addition to light bulk cargoes, coal and
ore are the main cargoes carried. Coal and light bulk cargoes are
stowed in every cargo hold. Iron ore, however, is usually shipped
in alternate cargo holds because of its high specific gravity. This
is done for the purpose of avoiding excessively stiff ship motion
and also for the convenience of loading facilities.
3.3 On designing a bulk carrier, loading patterns
and sequences reflecting the specific gravities of intended cargoes
and ballasting patterns in various operation modes are taken into
consideration. These design considerations are described in loading
and operation manuals which provide ship officers with basic loading
patterns, strength features and limitations of the ship.