Break Bulk

In port operations, break bulk refers to the moment cargo discharge officially begins, which is an important operational milestone for calculating laytime, demurrage, and dispatch under many charter parties. The term is also commonly used to describe the handling of non-containerized general cargo, such as machinery, steel, timber, pipes, project cargo, and bagged goods that are loaded and discharged individually rather than in containers. The intended meaning is usually determined by the context in which the term is used.