Dry Bulk Brokers

Bulkargo’s dry bulk brokers source tonnage, negotiate freight, and run post-fixture demurrage on cargoes from mini-bulker to Capesize. The desk works one broker per fixture, from the first inquiry through to settlement.

What our dry bulk brokers do

The desk sources vessels against your cargo, negotiates freight and the surrounding commercial terms, and reviews the charter party before signature. Since 2022 it has fixed cement, quicklime, bitumen, and mining ores and earths, alongside the major and minor bulk basket.

The same broker stays on the file after the fixture is signed: vessel nomination, notice of readiness tendering, hold cleanliness inspection, statement-of-facts review, and laytime and demurrage calculation once the cargo is discharged. There is no handoff to a separate operations desk between negotiation and settlement.

How a dry bulk fixture runs

A fixture moves through the same sequence regardless of cargo or vessel class. Market timing runs underneath all of it: the desk tracks the Baltic Dry Index and its segment sub-indices (BCI for Capesize, BPI for Panamax, BSI for Supramax and Ultramax, BHSI for Handysize) to advise on whether to fix now or hold for a session.

What it costs

Voyage rates are quoted per tonne. Time charter rates are quoted per day. Indicative ranges in normal market conditions: Capesize voyage rates run from a few USD per tonne on short hauls up to USD 25 or more per tonne on the Brazil to China iron ore route. Panamax time charter typically sits in the USD 12,000 to USD 30,000 per day band. Handysize and Supramax rates fall below that band, and Capesize daily rates can move materially higher in a firm market.

Brokerage commission is paid by the vessel owner out of freight. There is no direct cost to the cargo owner for using a broker. A bulk shipping rate calculator is available if you want an indicative freight number before you send an inquiry.

What we need from you to start

At inquiry stage we need the cargo type and approximate tonnage, the stowage factor if the cargo is non-standard, load and discharge ports, and the laycan window. A 7 to 14 day laycan window is normal. From there we work through charter type preference, hold cleanliness or gear requirements, draft or age restrictions, and budget expectations if you have one.

For a recurring programme, add the annual or seasonal volume forecast, the port pairs, and any existing COA terms. We handle the rest once we have cargo, ports, and laycan: charter party drafting and review, fixture recap, bill of lading instructions, statement of facts review, and certificates the trade requires (certificate of origin, phytosanitary or quality certificates, DG declaration on IMDG cargo, sanctions and compliance attestations).

Cargo we place

The desk covers major bulks, minor bulks, industrial cargo, and specialty commodities. A dry cargo shipbroker who only works one segment of this basket works a narrower book than a desk that covers all four.

Why work with an independent dry bulk broker

We are an independent broker. We do not own vessels, so the tonnage we recommend is the tonnage that fits your cargo.

We run a full-service desk. The broker who takes your inquiry is the broker who runs the demurrage calculation at the end.

We work the desk seven days. Prompt market opportunities, tight laycans, and weather-driven dislocations do not wait for a business week, and the desk is built to answer on a Sunday as readily as a Tuesday.

Frequently asked questions