Vessel Info

The Kamsarmax was designed to meet the specified requirements making it the largest vessel that can enter the world's largest Bauxite port, Port Kamsar in the Republic of Guinea. Generally larger than 80,000 dwt, these vessels are often considered a sub-set of the "Panamax" family which would fall under Post-Panamax size. The Kamsarmax can navigate the Panama Canal (thus landing it in the Panamax family) however, it would not do so as efficiently as its smaller cousin, the Panamax. Most Kamsarmax bulk carriers are likely primarily devoted to the bauxite trade, there are those Kamsarmax vessels out there that will carry mostly agricultural products, coal, cement, iron ore or fertilizers.

Hudson introduces the Hudsonmax class bulk carrier to take advantage of recent developments in shipbuilding to optimize their fleet for future market conditions. Hudsonmax vessels generally run between 61000 to 65000 mts in deadweight and are the newest class of vessels, expected to replace the Supramax class and encroaching on the Panamax class. Hudsonmaxes are fuel efficient, with a new streamlined hull and more efficient engines that use about 20% less fuel than a standard Supramax. The shallow draft design offers a cubic capacity comparable to a larger Panamax while equipped with large cranes, grabs, and other specialized equipment for use with Hudson’s C.O.S.T.© principles. Hudsonmaxes use the latest shipbuilding techniques to offer near-Panamax load sizes while utilizing Supramax berth restrictions to bring more efficiency and great reach to the Hudson fleet. Click here to view a Hudson technical team inspecting a Hudsonmax prototype.

Vessels such as the Supramax generally run between 50000 to 60000 mts in deadweight and are generally purposed for medium or large ports/berth that may not be able to accommodate a larger vessel due to length or draft restrictions, or those that lack transshipment infrastructure. The Supramax can call up river easier than its bigger brother the Panamax and is generally considered to be more agile, allowing access to tighter spaces. Some Supramaxs are geared, allowing use of grabs in line with Hudson's C.O.S.T.© principles.

This vessel class is generally considered to be a bulk carrier with a capacity between 35000 and 50000 deadweight. Handymaxes are better suited for smaller ports with more severe restrictions. Often considered the workhorse of the dry bulk market, these vessels are built to call berths which require a sub-200m overall length. Though smaller than other vessels, the Handymax is often more efficient at sea, using less fuel to travel an equal distance, giving it an advantage when smaller cargo totals require movement.

Although all the above are generally accepted in the shipping community as descriptions for these vessel sizes, there is no official definition of exact tonnages. That said, the Handysize usually refers to a dry bulk vessel with a deadweight between 15000 and 35000. Handysize is the most common of the vessel size, with nearly 2000 units in service totally 43 million tons. Vessels of this type are very flexible because their size allows them to enter smaller ports, and in most case they are fitted with cranes on board, allowing them to load and discharge at ports which lack cranes or other cargo handling systems.