IndustryAtlas

SUPPLY CHAIN HANDBOOK

Logistics: general freight, shipping and specialist transport

Prepared by IndustryAtlasEditorial principles & corrections

Choose a path by cargo: containers, bulk, liquids, gases, heavy equipment or precision goods. Transport assets, storage facilities and service integration have different roles; experience with one cargo does not establish capability for every cargo.

Most recent source review:

Reading guide revised:

Why is transport mode insufficient to describe logistics capability?

Mode describes one leg; cargo characteristics shape the full delivery. Wafers require suitable clean carriers and lot information. Wind blades need supports, route planning and lifting. Liquids and gases require compatible ships, terminals and storage. Forwarders coordinate, carriers provide transport, and hubs and warehouses handle transfers. Follow cargo from factory release to usable site delivery, checking that protection and information survive every handoff.

  1. Cargo requirements and packaging → Forwarding and transport planning

    Size, mass, deadlines and cargo condition guide packaging and modes. Forwarders coordinate carriers, documentation and transfers; carriers supply actual transport capacity.

  2. Ocean or air transport → Terminals, storage and inland delivery

    Terminals unload and transfer goods; warehouses bridge transport schedules and factory needs. Containers, dry bulk, liquids and gases require compatible handling and storage facilities.

  3. Precision or oversized cargo → Usable site delivery

    Wafers require protective carriers and lot-data handoffs. Heavy cargo needs coordinated supports, routes, lifting and construction schedules. Delivery must enable the next operation, not merely reach an address.

What changes the choice?

Compare providers by cargo and handoff requirements before freight price. Containerized products, liquid bulk and oversized machinery need different protection and facilities; experience in one does not establish all capabilities.

Sources for this overview

Transport and logistics overview

Transport and specialist logistics

Freight, heavy cargo, nuclear and semiconductors

Equipment, protective carriers, terminals, warehouses, forwarders and carriers connect factories and users across industries.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-05

Explore transport and cargo needs

Role and operating requirements

Separate equipment supply, logistics coordination, carriage and handling. Blades, nuclear materials and fragile wafers add specialist requirements to shared transport networks.

Freight forwarding and coordinationOcean shipping overviewAir cargo carriageRoad and rail freightPorts and cargo terminalsWarehousing and bonded distributionLogistics tracking and coordinationHeavy transport equipmentHeavy cargo and project logisticsWind blade and staging logisticsNuclear transport packagesFresh fuel and uranium transportSpent fuel transport servicesClean wafer shipping carriersBare-die protection carriersInter-fab semiconductor logisticsPackaged IC shipping materialsContainer shippingDry bulk shippingOil and chemical tankersLNG and LPG transportLPG shippingBreakbulk and heavy-lift shippingContainer terminals and yardsDry bulk terminals and storageLiquid terminals and tank storage

Distinction: Links show service or equipment roles, not undisclosed transport contracts with individual fabs or power plants.

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Freight and logistics coordination

Freight forwarding and coordination

Booking, clearance and delivery coordination

Forwarders arrange carriers, transfers, documents and delivery; third-party logistics can also integrate warehousing and distribution.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

A shipment may combine a forwarder, airline or ocean carrier, and local delivery. Companies can span roles; check their specific service offerings.

Distinction: A forwarder need not own aircraft or ships; 3PL is not a transport mode.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Dimerco · Taiwan · Example role · Forwarding and integrated logistics

    Coordinates high-tech freight, warehousing and delivery.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • DSV · Denmark · Example role · Wind logistics coordination

    Plans multimodal transport, complex handling and spare-parts logistics.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Ocean shipping overview

Explore five cargo branches

Containers, dry bulk, oil and chemicals, liquefied gases, and breakbulk/project cargo need different vessels, terminals and delivery arrangements.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Choose a cargo branch

  • Container shipping

    Standard containers connect factories, ports and distribution centres for components, finished goods and suitable raw materials.

    Container shipping

  • Dry bulk shipping

    Large volumes of unpackaged solid cargo load directly into holds, connecting minerals, energy, building materials and agriculture.

    Dry bulk shipping

  • Oil and chemical tankers

    Dedicated cargo tanks carry crude oil, refined products or chemicals between producers, refineries, processing plants and storage terminals.

    Oil and chemical tankers

  • LNG and LPG transport

    LNG and LPG travel as liquefied gases but differ in composition, vessel design and receiving infrastructure.

    LNG and LPG transport

  • Breakbulk and heavy-lift shipping

    Wind blades, towers and large machinery need carriage, lifting and securing plans matched to individual dimensions and loading constraints.

    Breakbulk and heavy-lift shipping

Cargo, participants and handoffs

Start with how cargo is loaded, then identify cargo owners, carriers and port services. The five branches are research entry points; companies and multipurpose ships may span categories.

  • Containers connect manufacturing, retail and distribution; dry bulk connects minerals, steel, energy and agriculture.
  • Tankers, chemical carriers, LNG ships and LPG ships require cargo-specific tanks, piping and receiving facilities.
  • Wind blades are generally breakbulk or project cargo; port delivery and offshore installation are distinct services.

Container shippingDry bulk shippingOil and chemical tankersLNG and LPG transportBreakbulk and heavy-lift shipping

Distinction: LCL consolidation is container freight, not dry bulk coal or ore shipping. Nuclear fuel remains a specialist nuclear-logistics activity.

Company roles

Overview of representative roles across cargo types; open each branch for carriage and supporting services.

  • Maersk · Denmark · Example role · Container and ocean services

    Ocean and supporting logistics, without implying nuclear or wind-installation capability.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • U-Ming Marine Transport · Taiwan · Example role · Dry bulk carrier

    Carries ore, coal, grain and cement; the company also operates other vessel types.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • Frontline · Cyprus · Example role · Oil tanker operation

    Fleet includes VLCC, Suezmax and LR2/Aframax tankers.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • Stolt Tankers · Netherlands · Example role · Chemical tanker shipping

    Stolt-Nielsen group chemical and bulk-liquid tanker business.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) · Japan · Example role · LNG carrier operation

    LNG carrier ownership, management and operation.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • BW LPG · Singapore · Example role · LPG carrier operation

    Dedicated liquefied petroleum gas carriage.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • BBC Chartering · Germany · Example role · Breakbulk and heavy-lift carrier

    Published wind-equipment and other project-cargo shipments.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Air cargo carriage

Freighters, routes and airport connections

Airlines provide air capacity selected according to lead time and cargo value, with pickup, terminal handling and delivery at both ends.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

EVA Air publishes a freighter network; semiconductor logistics providers coordinate air and other modes. Dimensions, packaging and environmental requirements remain shipment-specific.

Distinction: Air is not the only inter-fab mode, and not every airline accepts every specialist cargo.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • EVA Air · Taiwan · Example role · Air cargo carrier

    Freighter network and capacity; no specific chip customer inferred.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Road and rail freight

Factory pickup and inland connections

Road links factories, warehouses and terminals; rail and other inland modes can be combined where suitable infrastructure exists.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Mode choice depends on regional infrastructure, cargo and deadlines. Container haulage differs from heavy, nuclear and precision cargo handling.

Distinction: This classifies transport modes without implying identical rail services in every country.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Maersk · Denmark · Example role · Inland intermodal service

    Combines road, rail and inland connections by region.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Ports and cargo terminals

Transfers, handling and staging

Terminals enable cargo transfer, temporary storage and staging; specialist cargo also depends on site space, handling equipment and load capacity.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

TIPC provides port infrastructure, while Mammoet-Giant documents Taiwan wind staging and handling. Port operations connect to offshore installation services.

Distinction: Port operation, terminal handling and shipping are distinct roles.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Taiwan International Ports Corporation · Taiwan · Example role · Port infrastructure and operation

    Taiwan port and associated logistics activities, distinct from carriage and lifting.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Warehousing and bonded distribution

Inventory, fulfillment and factory supply

Warehousing connects transport schedules with factory demand through inventory, bonded operations, picking and production-driven dispatch.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Dimerco documents Taiwan bonded warehousing integrated with air and ocean freight. Semiconductor storage must match product environments, lots and handoffs.

Distinction: Bonded status is a customs arrangement, not a cleanroom specification or blanket tax exemption.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Dimerco · Taiwan · Example role · Taiwan bonded warehouse and distribution

    Warehousing integrated with freight and customs.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • DHL Group · Germany · Example role · Semiconductor warehousing

    Warehousing, kitting and delivery support.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Logistics tracking and coordination

Orders, status and exception handling

Logistics information systems connect orders, shipment status and delivery milestones to support traceable handoffs and exception handling.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Maersk offers data integration and DSV booking and tracking tools. Shipment-specific environmental records supplement rather than replace protective packaging.

Distinction: Location visibility does not certify wafer yield or the absence of cargo damage.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Maersk · Denmark · Example role · Logistics data integration

    Shipment status, tracking and data exchange.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • DSV · Denmark · Example role · Booking and cargo tracking

    myDSV and data interfaces support transport management.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Wind and heavy project logistics

Heavy transport equipment

Special trailers, blade lifters and lifting gear

Special trailers and lifting gear support unusually long, heavy or shaped cargo, with distinct equipment makers and operating service providers.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Goldhofer FTV is a blade transport equipment example. Selection must match loading, turning, support and site clearances.

Distinction: A transport-equipment maker does not necessarily operate the full shipment or manufacture blades.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Goldhofer · Germany · Example role · Blade transport equipment manufacture

    FTV blade transport devices; an equipment manufacturer role.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Heavy cargo and project logistics

Route engineering, handling and coordination

Project logistics plans cargo dimensions, site constraints, transport equipment and construction schedules together for wind and industrial equipment.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

DSV coordinates transport plans and Mammoet provides engineered handling and route modeling. The shortest route may not be feasible.

Distinction: Weight is only one constraint; length, shape, supports and delivery sequence also matter.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Mammoet · Netherlands · Example role · Engineered transport and lifting

    Route assessment, specialist equipment and heavy handling.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • DSV · Denmark · Example role · Project logistics coordination

    Multimodal wind transport, handling plans and scheduling.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Wind blade and staging logistics

Long blades, fixtures and staging

Blades need suitable support and securing, route assessment and delivery to a wind farm or staging port before onshore or offshore installation.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Onshore work faces road and turning constraints; offshore work adds ports, staging, vessels and installation windows. Mammoet-Giant and Cadeler document different roles.

Distinction: Blade haulage, terminal handling and offshore installation are separate services.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Mammoet · Netherlands · Example role · Blade and turbine land transport

    Special trailers, route engineering and site handling.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • Mammoet-Giant Taiwan JV · Taiwan · Example role · Taiwan wind staging and logistics

    Published Taiwan wind staging, transport and engineering services.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Nuclear fuel transport and packages

Nuclear transport packages

Package design, verification and approval

Nuclear transport packages are designed for their contents and evaluated for applicable containment, mechanical, thermal, radiation and criticality requirements.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Orano designs, licenses and manufactures packages. Fresh fuel, uranium hexafluoride and spent fuel need different solutions; storage and transport approvals are distinct.

Distinction: Not all nuclear materials use the same large cask, and not every dry-storage package is transport-approved.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Orano · France · Example role · Nuclear package design and manufacture

    NPS covers package design, licensing, manufacture and maintenance.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Fresh fuel and uranium transport

Front-end fuel cycle and dedicated packages

Uranium materials move between conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication and reactors using arrangements matched to chemical form, enrichment and approved packaging.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Uranium hexafluoride uses compatible containers and protective packaging; fuel assemblies need structural protection and applicable nuclear transport controls. This describes civilian industry roles.

Distinction: Unused fuel is still controlled; fresh and spent fuel have different shielding and thermal requirements.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Orano · France · Example role · Front-end nuclear fuel logistics

    Specialist uranium-material and fresh-fuel delivery.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Spent fuel transport services

Shielding, containment, heat and handoffs

Spent fuel retains radioactivity and decay heat, requiring transport-approved packages matched to their contents and specialist operating services.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Transport casks must maintain shielding, containment and heat rejection. Orano offers road, rail and maritime solutions, subject to approvals and receiving facilities.

Distinction: Transport capability does not establish a final repository; storage, reprocessing and disposal are separate stages.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Orano · France · Example role · Spent fuel transport service

    Specialist transport using compatible packages and receiving facilities.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Inter-fab semiconductor logistics

Clean wafer shipping carriers

FOSB, horizontal and film-frame shippers

Shipping carriers secure wafers and preserve a local clean environment, with designs matched to intact, thinned, bumped or film-frame-mounted wafers.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

FOSBs serve compatible wafer shipments; horizontal, contactless and film-frame shippers address different fragile structures. Entegris and CK Plastics supply these products.

Distinction: FOUPs mainly serve fab handling; choose shipping carriers for the actual wafer condition rather than treating all boxes as interchangeable.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Entegris · United States · Example role · Wafer shipping carriers

    FOSB, horizontal and other wafer protection solutions.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • CK Plastics · Taiwan · Example role · FOSB and film-frame carriers

    Shipping boxes and carriers for different wafer states.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Bare-die protection carriers

Pocketed trays and device retention

Singulated bare dies need position retention and surface protection against migration, collisions and contact with fragile structures during handling.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Pocketed trays and Gel-Pak carriers are selected for die size, thickness and handling. Diced dies remaining on film frames use frame carriers instead.

Distinction: Dicing does not always mean immediate die pickup; loose dies need controlled retention.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Gel-Pak · United States · Example role · Die and precision-device carriers

    Retains dies and delicate devices during transport and handling.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Inter-fab semiconductor logistics

Wafers, dies and assembly/test handoffs

Fabrication and assembly/test may occur at different companies or in different countries, requiring product protection and matching lot and test-data handoffs.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

Whole wafers can go to an OSAT for assigned bumping, probe, singulation and packaging. Carriers and bags preserve local conditions; road, air or other modes are selected for the shipment.

How wafers reach an external assembly provider

After fabrication, products move as whole wafers, film frames or picked dies according to the contracted process split. Wafer testing can occur at different providers.

  • Identify the lot and wafer state, and transfer applicable test data and wafer maps.
  • Select compatible carriers, bags and cushioning before pickup and transport.
  • At receipt, reconcile cargo, lots and data before controlled opening and processing.

Distinction: Not every wafer is diced before shipment, and temperature or purge requirements vary by product and agreement.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Dimerco · Taiwan · Example role · Global semiconductor logistics

    Air and multimodal logistics matched to shipment needs.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • DHL Group · Germany · Example role · Semiconductor transport and warehousing

    Logistics connecting semiconductor production stages.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Packaged IC shipping materials

Trays, tape-and-reel and moisture protection

Packaged devices use suitable trays, tape-and-reel or tubes, with outer packaging selected for moisture sensitivity and electrostatic protection.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Role and operating requirements

TI documents shipping methods, and CK Plastics offers IC trays and reel boxes. Shipping protection differs from semiconductor package assembly and electrical interconnection.

Distinction: Moisture protection is device-specific; finished packages still need appropriate moisture, ESD and mechanical handling.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • CK Plastics · Taiwan · Example role · IC trays and shipping protection

    IC trays, reel boxes and tube boxes.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Container shipping and distribution

Container shipping

Liner services, FCL and LCL

Standard containers connect factories, ports and distribution centres for components, finished goods and suitable raw materials.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

Shippers or forwarders book sailings and arrange stuffing, customs, terminal delivery and destination pickup. Maersk and Yang Ming provide container carriage; terminal and inland services are separate roles.

  • FCL uses a full-container shipment; LCL consolidates multiple shippers into shared containers.
  • Typical handoffs: factory or consolidation warehouse, export terminal, carrier, import terminal and distribution warehouse.
  • Planning covers schedules, transshipment, empty boxes and pickup/return; pricing may be spot or contractual.

Distinction: Containers are not limited to consumer goods. Compatible liquids can use tank containers, which differ from loading directly into a tanker.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Maersk · Denmark · Example role · Container and integrated logistics

    Container booking with ocean and inland connections.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • Yang Ming Marine Transport · Taiwan · Example role · Container carrier

    Container transportation is its principal business.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Container terminals and yards

Lifts, stacking and intermodal handoffs

Container terminals provide vessel handling, stacking and truck or other intermodal handoffs between sailings and inland delivery.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

APM Terminals documents container lifts, weighing and truck handoffs. Yang Ming also documents terminal operations. Port authorities, terminal operators and carriers have distinct roles.

  • Quayside handling and yard planning coordinate vessel operations with pickup.
  • Terminals generally move whole boxes; LCL consolidation and deconsolidation require appropriate freight stations.

Distinction: A port with container terminals does not make every berth suitable for bulk liquids, dry bulk or large blades.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • APM Terminals · Netherlands · Example role · Container terminal operation

    Published terminal services include container lifts, weighing and truck handoffs.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • Yang Ming Marine Transport · Taiwan · Example role · Group terminal operations

    Group terminal operations alongside container carriage.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Dry bulk and commodity logistics

Dry bulk shipping

Ore, coal, grain and cement

Large volumes of unpackaged solid cargo load directly into holds, connecting minerals, energy, building materials and agriculture.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

Producers, traders or industrial users arrange vessels between export stockyards and receiving facilities. U-Ming documents iron ore, coal, grain and cement carriage.

  • Common arrangements include voyage charters, time charters and contracts of affreightment; not every cargo uses spot pricing.
  • Terminals use cargo-appropriate grabs, mechanical or pneumatic handling with stockyards, sheds and inland transport.
  • Separate ore for steel, coal for power and grain demand; handling, draft and cargo distribution affect operations.

Distinction: Dry bulk is not a catch-all for non-container cargo; wind blades belong in breakbulk and project-cargo analysis.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • U-Ming Marine Transport · Taiwan · Example role · Dry bulk carrier

    Carries ore, coal, grain and cement; the company also operates other vessel types.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Dry bulk terminals and storage

Stockyards, sheds and bulk handling

Dry bulk terminals transfer cargo between ship holds, stockyards, sheds and inland transport using commodity-specific equipment.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

HES Maasdelta documents mechanical and pneumatic handling, floating cranes and storage, linked to inland waterways, roads and rail. Weather protection, dust control and segregation vary by cargo.

  • Export mines or collection facilities connect through terminals to industrial stockyards and food processing.
  • Coal imports connect to unloading, storage and power-plant fuel supply.

Distinction: Terminal handling and ship carriage are separate services; one commodity handling system does not fit every cargo.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • HES Bulk Terminal Maasdelta · Netherlands · Example role · Dry bulk handling and storage

    HES group terminals provide bulk handling, storage and inland connections.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Tankers and liquid storage

Oil and chemical tankers

Crude oil, products and liquid chemicals

Dedicated cargo tanks carry crude oil, refined products or chemicals between producers, refineries, processing plants and storage terminals.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

This branch groups liquid bulk while distinguishing crude, product and chemical tankers. Frontline illustrates oil tankers and Stolt Tankers chemical carriage.

  • Cargo enters ship tanks directly and transfers through port piping, pumps and storage tanks.
  • Chemical cargo requires compatible tank materials or coatings, segregation, cleaning and temperature conditions.
  • Oil analysis considers refineries and trade flows; chemical shipping also depends on product-specific demand.

Distinction: An oil tanker cannot automatically carry every chemical. ISO tank containers use a container network and are not chemical tankers.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Frontline · Cyprus · Example role · Oil tanker operation

    Fleet includes VLCC, Suezmax and LR2/Aframax tankers.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • Stolt Tankers · Netherlands · Example role · Chemical tanker shipping

    Stolt-Nielsen group chemical and bulk-liquid tanker business.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Liquid terminals and tank storage

Piping, pumping and segregated storage

Liquid terminals connect oil and chemical tankers with land-based users; certain facilities also handle LPG.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

Stolthaven documents chemical, petroleum-product and other liquid storage and handling. Cargo acceptance depends on each terminal and its facilities.

  • Handoffs require compatible tanks and piping, with lot and cleaning controls.
  • LNG receiving and regasification has its own node; ordinary liquid tanks are not LNG receiving facilities.

Distinction: The LPG relationship applies only to suitably equipped facilities, not every oil-product tank.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Stolthaven Terminals · Netherlands · Example role · Liquid storage and handling

    Stolt-Nielsen terminal business; accepted cargo varies by facility.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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LNG, LPG and receiving facilities

LNG and LPG transport

Natural gas and petroleum gas

LNG and LPG travel as liquefied gases but differ in composition, vessel design and receiving infrastructure.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

LNG is primarily methane and connects liquefaction with receiving and regasification. LPG primarily contains propane and butane and serves fuel and petrochemical uses.

  • LNG shipping links export liquefaction and receiving terminals, leading into the gas-power supply chain.
  • MOL documents LNG carriage; BW LPG specialises in liquefied petroleum gas shipping.

Distinction: LNG and LPG carriers are not freely interchangeable. An LNG-fuelled container ship is not an LNG cargo carrier.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) · Japan · Example role · LNG carrier operation

    LNG carrier ownership, management and operation.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

  • BW LPG · Singapore · Example role · LPG carrier operation

    Dedicated liquefied petroleum gas carriage.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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LPG shipping

Propane, butane and gas carriers

Dedicated gas carriers move LPG between export supply, import storage and fuel or petrochemical users.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

BW LPG documents its LPG carrier operations. Storage and transfer must match the ship and terminal pressure and temperature conditions.

  • Demand includes fuel and petrochemical feedstocks; natural-gas generation is not a direct proxy.
  • Receiving facilities need LPG-compatible storage and delivery equipment.

Distinction: LPG is not another name for LNG, and not every gas carrier accepts every liquefied gas.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • BW LPG · Singapore · Example role · LPG carrier

    LPG carriage using dedicated gas carriers.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Breakbulk and wind project cargo

Breakbulk and heavy-lift shipping

Individual lifts, securing and project delivery

Wind blades, towers and large machinery need carriage, lifting and securing plans matched to individual dimensions and loading constraints.

Entry sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

Cargo, participants and handoffs

BBC Chartering documents breakbulk, heavy-lift and wind-equipment carriage. Carriers provide vessels, project forwarders coordinate transport and construction, and terminals provide staging and handling.

  • Cargo needs individual support, lifting-point, securing and loading-sequence plans.
  • Vessels may be multipurpose, heavy-lift or other suitably assessed ships.
  • After port delivery, blades connect to special haulage or offshore installation; carriage need not include construction.

Distinction: Breakbulk need not be heavy: length can be the constraint. Carrying blades does not establish offshore installation capability.

Company roles

Scope of these company examples

  • BBC Chartering · Germany · Example role · Breakbulk and heavy-lift carrier

    Published wind-equipment and other project-cargo shipments.

    Product / role source

    Sources reviewed: 2026-10-04

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Long-form guides (Chinese)

運輸供應鏈：風力葉片、核燃料與晶片，如何送到下一家公司？

從貨代、港站與倉儲，到海運五大貨型、風電重件、核燃料容器及半導體跨廠物流，分清設備、承運與專業交付角色。