Capesize
The largest standard dry-bulk carrier, too big for the Panama and Suez canals and so routed around the Capes.
- Category
- Vessel Size and Tonnage
- Deadweight
- over 100,000 DWT, often 180,000 DWT and above
- Dictionary entry
- Capesize
- Last reviewed
How it works
Capesize vessels are the largest standard dry-bulk carriers, historically too large for the Suez and Panama canals, hence they sail around the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn.
They dominate the long-haul iron-ore and coal trades, especially Brazil and Australia to Asia, and their freight is the most volatile and closely watched signal in the dry-bulk market.
Where it shows up on The Maritime
Also known as: cape, capesize bulker.
The short dictionary definition is at Dictionary entry: Capesize. This page is the explainer.
Related terms
Panamax
A ship sized to the dimensional limits of the original Panama Canal locks; in dry bulk, the class just below Kamsarmax.
Kamsarmax
A dry-bulk carrier sized to the maximum length that can load at the port of Kamsar in Guinea, one step above the classic Panamax.
Deadweight Tonnage (DWT)
The total weight a ship can carry (cargo plus fuel, stores, crew and water) at her load line, in metric tonnes.
Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)
A crude oil tanker in the largest actively traded class: the backbone of long-haul Middle East to Asia oil transport.
More vessel size and tonnage terms
A plain-English reference definition: our own explanation of a standard shipping concept, not a licensed source or legal advice. See the full glossary or the broader maritime dictionary.
Last reviewed: .