Big bag (FIBC – flexible intermediate bulk container)
A large sack made of woven polypropylene that usually carries 500–1,500 kg of granules, powder or flakes and is lifted by forklift on its loops. Its safe working load (SWL) and safety factor (5:1 single-trip, 6:1 multi-trip) are specified under ISO 21898. For combustible powders use Type B, C or D bags against static electricity; food and pharma need food-grade bags with liners. It cuts packaging and handling cost compared with 25 kg bags.
Related terms
Container types (20’, 40’, 40’HC, reefer, open top)
A 20-foot container (about 33 m³, payload around 25–28 t) suits heavy, dense cargo such as metals, minerals and bagged chemicals; a 40-foot (67 m³) and 40-foot high cube (40’HC, 76 m³, ~26 t) suit light but bulky goods such as plastic granules, fibres and foam. In practice road weight limits are often more restrictive than container capacity. Reefers are used for the cold chain, open-tops and flat racks for machinery and oversized items, and tank containers for liquids.
Bulk cargo (dry and liquid bulk)
Cargo loaded directly into a ship’s hold or tanks without packaging: grain, coal, iron ore, scrap, fertiliser and cement are dry bulk; crude oil, fuels, vegetable oils and chemicals are liquid bulk. Ship sizes are classed as Handysize (15–35k dwt), Supramax/Ultramax (50–64k), Panamax/Kamsarmax (65–82k) and Capesize (over 100k dwt). Quantity is determined by draft survey or weighbridge and quality by sampling at loading and discharge.
Explained in the trade handbook
More in Shipping & logistics
- Bill of lading (B/L) (B/L)
- Bunker adjustment factor (BAF)
- Cargo insurance (marine cargo insurance)
- Charter party (C/P) (C/P)
- Demurrage and detention
- Draft survey
- Flexitank
- Freight (freight rate)
- Freight forwarder
- Full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL)
- General average (GA)
- Institute Cargo Clauses (A), (B), (C) (ICC (A)(B)(C))