A
bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or
bulker is a
merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged
bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its
cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fuelled the development of these ships, causing them to grow in size and sophistication. Today's bulkers are specially designed to maximize capacity, safety, efficiency, and durability.