Dry Bulk Commodity

What Is a Dry Bulk Commodity?

A dry bulk commodity is a raw material that is shipped in large unpackaged parcels. Dry bulk consists of mostly unprocessed materials that are destined to be used in the global manufacturing and production process. The commodities, which can include grain, metal, and energy materials, are transported long distances in bulk by sea in large cargo vessels by companies that specialize in dry bulk delivery.

Understanding Dry Bulk Commodities

The weight for dry bulk is measured in an industry convention known as tons of deadweight (dwt). Some of the industry's larger transportation vessels can carry megatonnes (MT) of deadweight. This industry weight measurement convention developed over time because of the unpackaged nature of the commodities being transported.

The transport of dry bulk commodities is highly regulated due to the effects that an in-transport accident can have on the environment. Since these commodities are unpackaged, a spill puts them right into the environment and renders them extremely difficult to clean up, leading to the destruction of the environment and possible endangerment of people and wildlife.

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is probably the most common index used to measure changes in the cost to transport various dry bulk commodities around the world. Calculated by the London-based Baltic Exchange, it is a composite of the Capesize, Panamax, and Supramax averages. BDI is derived by contacting various shipping brokers to assess price levels for various routes, products to transport, and times to delivery.

A change in the Baltic Dry Index can give investors insight into global supply and demand trends. A rise in the index might suggest that demand for dry bulk materials is improving.

A change in BDI is also considered a leading indicator of future economic growth because dry bulk goods are raw, pre-production material and not typically an area of speculation. In other words, changes in the index reflect true supply and demand for dry bulk commodities from producers and not the day-to-day buying and selling on the part of speculators.

Type of Dry Bulk Commodities

Dry bulk commodities are usually divided into two categories: major bulks and minor bulks. Some examples of major dry bulk commodities include iron ore, coal, and grain. These major bulks account for nearly two-thirds of global dry bulk trade. Minor bulks include steel products, sugars, cement, and cover the remaining one-third of global dry bulk trade.

Coal, along with iron ore, is one of the most traded dry bulk commodities by volume in the world. Countries most involved in the import of coal for their primary energy and electricity needs are India, China, and Japan. Grain is another major cargo in terms of seaborne dry bulk trade and accounts for a chunk of the total dry bulk trade worldwide.