벌크선(bulk carrier)이란?

벌크선(bulk carrier)은 대형 화물선의 한 종류로서, 주로 무엇인가를 쏟아 부어서 적재할 수 있는 느슨한 형태의 대량 화물(예: 석탄, 철광석, 곡물, 설탕 등)을 운송하는 데 사용됩니다. 벌크선은 화물을 창고와 같은 대형 홀드(hold)에 적재하며, 크레인이나 컨베이어 벨트 등의 장치를 사용하여 화물을 적재하고 양하하는 작업을 수행합니다.

벌크선은 용량에 따라 다양한 크기로 구분됩니다. 대표적인 벌크선의 종류로는:
1. 핸디사이즈 벌크선 (Handysize): 15,000 ~ 35,000 DWT(Deadweight tonnage, 적재 용량)의 용량을 가진 벌크선
2. 핸디맥스 벌크선 (Handymax): 35,000 ~ 50,000 DWT의 용량을 가진 벌크선
3. 팬라맥스 벌크선 (Panamax): 50,000 ~ 80,000 DWT의 용량을 가진 벌크선, 파나마 운하를 통과할 수 있는 최대 크기
4. 케이프사이즈 벌크선 (Capesize): 80,000 DWT 이상의 용량을 가진 벌크선, 파나마 운하를 통과할 수 없어 케이프 혼루스와 케이프 굿 호프를 우회해야 함

벌크선은 세계의 대량화물 운송에서 중요한 역할을 담당하며, 세계 경제 및 국제 무역에 큰 영향을 미치는 핵심 요소 중 하나입니다.
 
A bulk carrier is a type of large cargo ship, used primarily to transport loose, bulk cargo (such as coal, iron ore, grain, sugar, etc.) that can be loaded by pouring something into it. Bulk carriers load cargo into large holds, such as warehouses, and use devices such as cranes and conveyor belts to load and unload cargo.

Bulk carriers are categorized into different sizes based on their capacity. Some common types of bulk carriers include
1. handysize bulk carriers (Handysize): Bulk carriers with a capacity of 15,000 to 35,000 deadweight tons (DWT).
2. Handymax bulk carriers (Handymax): Bulk carriers with a capacity of 35,000 to 50,000 DWT
3. Panamax bulk carriers (Panamax): Bulk carriers with a capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 DWT, the largest size to transit the Panama Canal
4. Capesize bulk carriers (Capesize): Bulk carriers with a capacity of 80,000 DWT or more, which cannot transit the Panama Canal and must bypass Cape Hornus and Cape Good Hope.

Bulk carriers play an important role in the world's bulk cargo transportation, and are one of the key factors that greatly influence the global economy and international trade.