What does 'bulk cargo' refer to?

Bulk cargo refers to large quantities of unpackaged goods that are transported in a vessel's hold rather than in labeled containers, packages, or crates. This category of cargo typically includes bulk solids, liquids, or gases that can be loaded directly into the ship's cargo hold or a tank.

The correct understanding of bulk cargo aligns with the definition of 'liquid cargo typically carried in tanks.' This encompasses various types of liquids such as crude oil, chemicals, and agricultural products like molasses that are transported in bulk quantities. The nature of bulk cargo is such that it usually involves commodities like grains, coal, or other bulk solids as well.

In contrast, the idea of autonomous cargo does not accurately capture the nature of bulk cargo, as it does not involve the unmanned transport of goods. Highly regulated hazardous materials could be transported as bulk cargo, but not all bulk cargo is hazardous, and thus this choice does not encompass the full definition. Finally, containers filled with miscellaneous items refer to general cargo transport rather than bulk cargo, which is characterized by the lack of packaging for the goods.