Short answers, pulled from the story.
Bulk cargo refers to product cargo transported unpackaged in large quantities as either liquid or granular particulate matter. These items are usually dropped or poured into a ship's hold using a spout or shovel bucket.
Ports like Port Hedland Australia handle massive volumes of raw materials. Rotterdam and Vancouver also serve as critical hubs for global trade involving these shipments.
The most famous index is the Baltic Dry Indices commonly called BDI which derives from four separate components: Capesize Panamax Supramax and Handysize. Analysts use BDI as a bellwether for the global economy to indicate increases or decreases in raw commodity imports and exports by countries.
Dry bulk covers solid forms carried in large quantities including bauxite sand gravel copper limestone and salt. Coal and cokes remain essential fuels for many industries while agricultural products range from alfalfa pellets to raw sugar and seeds.
Modern tank cars carry all types of liquid and gaseous commodities through specialized vessels that move these goods across oceans and rivers. Hazardous chemicals in liquid form require closed tanks for safe transport with safety protocols preventing spills during loading and unloading operations.