Final answer:
Bulk carriers are specialized ships designed for transporting loose cargo in large quantities, differing from container ships that carry containerized goods along fixed routes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bulk carriers are primarily used to transport loose cargo such as grains, coal, ore, steel coils, and cement, which require specialized handling equipment and storage facilities. Unlike container ships that convey goods in containers or roll-on/roll-off ships designed for wheeled cargo like motor vehicles, bulk carriers are optimized for transporting unpackaged bulk cargo in large quantities.
The shipping industry, as part of global trade, utilizes different types of vessels to move various goods across the world. Container ships, on the other hand, are structured to carry containerized cargo, operating along regular shipping routes and making frequent stops to load and unload containers. Bulk carriers, also known as bulkers, provide flexibility in the shipping industry due to their ability to respond swiftly to market demands, altering their destination ports as needed, which contrasts with the more fixed itineraries of container ships.