Most steel products are typically transported via sea, land, or air transportation, with the majority of shipments departing from Tianjin ports.
For sea transportation, there are two main methods: container shipping or bulk shipping.
Land transportation is typically either by rail or truck, depending on the destination and the transportation company used.
| Container | Bulk carriers | |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo Loading Method | load cargo into standardized containers which are then lifted onto the ship, truck, or train using cranes or handling equipment. |
load bulk cargo directly onto the ship, without standard packaging containers. |
| Transportation Efficiency |
Containerization offers higher efficiency as cargoes can be easily loaded and unloaded using handling equipment at a faster pace. |
Due to the complex loading and unloading process, bulk carriers have lower transportation efficiency compared to container ships. |
| Cargo Safety | Containerized cargoes are relatively safer during transportation as they are sealed inside the containers and less prone to external environmental and physical impacts. |
Bulk cargo on bulk carriers, however, is exposed on deck and more susceptible to the influence of maritime and weather conditions. |
