The dry bulk market includes Iron ore, Coal, Grains, Steel, Cement, Fertilizers, Petcoke, Agricultural products, non-ferrous minerals and metals, collectively amounting to more than 2.6 billion tonnes of cargo being moved annually. Iron ore, Coal and Grain are the largest contributors, accounting for more than half of the trade between them.

Iron ore is shipped in Capesize vessels (over 100,000 dwt), the principal trades being from Brazil, Australia and India and to a smaller extent South Africa.

The traditional exporting countries for Coal are Australia, South Africa, Colombia, the USA, China and Russia, though in recent years Indonesia has become one of the biggest supplier. Coal is shipped mainly in Panamax vessels (60,000-80000dwt) but in the case of the Baltic and the Black Sea, due to draught restrictions in ports it is transported in Handymax (40,000-60,000dwt) or Handysize (10,000-40,000dwt) vessels.

Traditionally the producers of coarse Grains and Fertilizers are USA, Latin America and Australia but there are many smaller suppliers. Seaborne trade – always subject to weather conditions and likely to be affected by global warming – is mainly in Panamax and Handymax and, in smaller ports, Handysize.

Minor bulks are shipped worldwide in Panamax, Handymax and Handysize vessels, depending on the consignments, port limitations and routes.