What cargo size suits a handysize?

Typically parcels of about 10,000 to 35,000 mt, but the stowage factor and the ports matter as much as the weight. The intake is worked out first, then the ships.

Are handysize bulk carriers geared?

Most are, with their own cranes, which lets them work ports without shore equipment. Your broker confirms the cranes, and grabs if they are needed, for your ports.

Is a handysize more expensive per tonne than a supramax?

For the same voyage it can be, because a larger ship spreads its costs over more cargo. A handysize comes out ahead when the parcel or the ports call for a smaller ship.

Handysize · about 15,000 to 40,000 dwt

Charter a Handysize vessel for your cargo.

For parcels of roughly 10,000 to 35,000 mt, and ports the bigger ships cannot reach. CharterDeck's AI checks your stem against each handysize's intake, draft and cranes, weighs its open position against your laycan and compares the voyage economics; your broker then negotiates with the owners.

Send your cargo Talk to a broker

Smaller ports in reach: Shallower draft opens river ports and smaller terminals to your cargo.
Her own cranes: Usually geared, so she can work berths without shore equipment.
Broker-led charter: Your broker checks the fit with the owner and negotiates the terms.

How AI finds the right handysize

Handysize ships differ a lot within the class, and small differences in draft, cranes or cubic capacity decide whether one can do your cargo. CharterDeck's AI compares them on exactly those details:

Checks your quantity and tolerance against each ship's intake at the drafts both ports allow
Confirms the ship's cranes, and grabs if needed, where the berth has no shore equipment
Compares grain or bale capacity with your stowage factor, so a light cargo is not short-loaded
Screens length and beam against the limits of small ports and river berths
Ranks the ships by open position and voyage cost against your laycan

When a handysize fits

A handysize is often the right ship when the parcel is too small to fill a larger bulk carrier economically, when a port's draft or berth length rules out bigger ships, or when cargo has to be worked with the ship's own cranes. Handysize ships carry a wide spread of minor bulks and steel products, and many grain, fertilizer and cement parcels.

Access against scale

What a handysize gains in access it gives up in scale: for the same voyage, the freight per tonne can be higher than on a larger ship. The comparison favours her when the parcel size or the ports call for a smaller ship.

Handysize or handymax?

Handymax ships, roughly 40,000 to 50,000 dwt and usually geared, sit between handysize and supramax. When a parcel falls between the classes, both are looked at, and the one that fits the stem and the ports is proposed.

Smaller parcel or a restricted port? Send the cargo and get handysize ships that fit it.

Send your cargo

Where the ship is matters

Handysize ships trade many regional routes, so each ship's open position and the ballast leg to your load port can change the comparison as much as the rate does.

Cargoes that often suit a handysize

Grain parcels up to about 35,000 mt
Fertilizers, in bulk or bagged
Cement and clinker for smaller receiving ports
Scrap, where the grade mix suits the holds
Steel products and minor bulks

What moves the freight

Parcel size against the ship's intake
Draft and berth limits that rule out larger ships
Whether the ship's cranes do the loading or discharge
Ballast from the ship's open position
Port time at smaller terminals
The handysize market at the time

How a handysize charter runs with CharterDeck

You send the requirement, in a minute with the form or as you would circulate it
Our AI structures it, screens suitable ships and compares the voyage economics
Your broker reviews the shortlist with you and checks every point the AI has flagged
Your broker works the owners and negotiates freight and terms
The recap is issued from the agreed terms, and the voyage is followed to discharge

Questions, answered

What cargo size suits a handysize?: Typically parcels of about 10,000 to 35,000 mt, but the stowage factor and the ports matter as much as the weight. The intake is worked out first, then the ships.
Are handysize bulk carriers geared?: Most are, with their own cranes, which lets them work ports without shore equipment. Your broker confirms the cranes, and grabs if they are needed, for your ports.
Is a handysize more expensive per tonne than a supramax?: For the same voyage it can be, because a larger ship spreads its costs over more cargo. A handysize comes out ahead when the parcel or the ports call for a smaller ship.