Dry Bulk container
Also known as: BU · 20BU · 20' Bulk · Bulk container · Bulker · Liner bag
A dry bulk container is a 20' container with loading hatches in the roof and a discharge hatch at the bottom of the door end. It carries free-flowing dry goods without bags.
Specifications
Typical figures — exact figures vary by shipping line and manufacturer.
| Internal length | 5,930 mm |
|---|---|
| Internal width | 2,350 mm |
| Internal height | 2,390 mm |
| Door opening width | 2,340 mm |
| Door opening height | 2,280 mm |
| Tare weight | 2,450 kg |
| Max payload | 28,030 kg |
| Capacity | 33 m³ |
Typical cargo
Free-flowing dry goods: grain, malt, plastic granules, sugar, flour, animal feed, and some minerals.
In plain words
The goods are blown or poured in through the roof hatches. At destination, the container is tipped up on a special chassis or tipping platform, and the cargo flows out through the discharge hatch. This saves the cost of bags and the time of handling them.
Dedicated bulk containers are not common. A frequent alternative is a standard 20' dry container fitted with a liner bag (a large plastic inner bag) and a bulkhead at the doors. Both options need cleaning between loads, especially for food-grade cargo, and the receiver needs the right equipment to unload.
Example from real shipping
A malt producer ships 24 tonnes of malt to a brewery. Instead of 960 bags, the malt is blown into a liner bag inside a 20' container. At the brewery, the container is tipped on a tilting chassis, and the malt flows straight into a silo in about an hour.
Related terms
- FlexitankA flexitank is not a container. It is a large, single-use plastic bag that is placed inside a standard 20' dry container to carry non-hazardous liquids in bulk.
- ISO Tank containerAn ISO tank is a steel tank fixed inside a 20-foot container frame. It carries liquids, gases, and powders in bulk, and it moves by ship, truck, and train like a normal container.
- 20' DVA 20' DV is the standard 20-foot closed steel container for general dry cargo. It is the smallest common ocean container.
- Container typesA side-by-side comparison of the common shipping container types: sizes, weights, capacity, pallet places, and typical cargo.
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Request a QuoteThis glossary is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, fees, and practice can differ by carrier, port, and country.