Translation guide
Goods transported unpackaged in large quantities, typically in a ship's hold or a truck. In Japanese, the term depends on the type of cargo and context.
Unpackaged dry or liquid goods shipped in large volumes.
Standard term for bulk cargo in shipping and logistics. Literally 'loose-loaded cargo'.
この港ではばら積み貨物を主に扱っています。
This port mainly handles bulk cargo.
Loanword from English 'bulk cargo', common in business and technical contexts.
バルク貨物の運賃が上昇している。
Freight rates for bulk cargo are rising.
Shorter, more casual term for bulk cargo, often used in shipping contexts.
ばら荷を船に積み込む。
Load bulk cargo onto the ship.
Solid granular or lump materials shipped in bulk.
Technical term for dry bulk cargo.
乾燥ばら積み貨物には穀物や鉱石が含まれる。
Dry bulk cargo includes grain and ore.
Loanword from 'dry bulk', used in international trade.
ドライバルクの需要が増えている。
Demand for dry bulk is increasing.
Liquids transported in tankers or tank containers.
Technical term for liquid bulk cargo.
液体ばら積み貨物はタンカーで運ばれる。
Liquid bulk cargo is transported by tanker.
Loanword from 'liquid bulk', used in logistics.
リキッドバルクの取り扱いには注意が必要だ。
Handling liquid bulk requires caution.
ばら積み貨物 is the native Japanese term and is more common in formal or traditional shipping contexts. バルク貨物 is a direct loanword and is often used in international business or when emphasizing the English concept. Both are widely understood.
In everyday conversation, you might simply say ばら荷 or even バラ (bara) among industry insiders. For official documents, use ばら積み貨物.