When the Suez Canal was deepened in 2009, it became possible for some capesize ships to transit the canal and so change categories.
Routes
Major capesize bulk trade routes include: Brazil to China, Australia to China, South Africa to China and South Africa to Europe.[3]
Classification
After deepening of the Suez Canal, a formerly capesize bulk carrier approaches the Suez Canal Bridge.Capesize bulk carrierCape Elise of 174,124 DWT at Inchgreen quay, Greenock, Scotland, for repairs in March 2014 after being struck by a massive wave. At 289 metres long, it was the largest ship to dock at Greenock in 20 years.[4]
Ships in this class are bulk carriers, usually transporting coal, ore and other commodity raw materials. The term capesize is not applied to tankers. The average size of a capesize bulker is around 156,000 DWT, although larger ships (normally dedicated to ore transportation) have been built, up to 400,000 DWT.[5] The large dimensions and deep drafts of such vessels mean that only the largest deep-water terminals can accommodate them.[6]