Handysize bulk-carrier

Although there is no official definition in terms of exact tonnages, Handysize most usually refers to a dry bulk vessel (or, less commonly, to a product tanker) with deadweight of up to 50,000 tonnes. This allows the ships to enter smaller ports to pick up cargoes. Vessels of a deadweight of above 35,000 tonnes are referred to as Handymax bulkers (typically 35,000 - 50,000 tons deadweight); there is no well-defined or widely accepted size sector below 15,000 tons. Handysize is also sometimes used to refer to the span of up to 60,000 tons, with Handymax being a subclassification, rather than a larger category. Handysize is numerically the most common size of bulk carrier, with nearly 2000 units in service totalling about 43 million tons. Handysize ships are very flexible because their size allows them to enter smaller ports, and in most cases they are 'geared' - i.e. fitted with cranes - which means that they can load and discharge cargoes at ports which lack cranes or other cargo handling systems. Compared to larger bulk carriers, handysizes carry a wider variety of cargo types. These include steel products, grain, metal ores, phosphate, cement, logs, woodchips and other types of so-called 'break bulk cargo'. [Handysize. Wikipedia]