Supramax / Ultramax
Mid-size geared bulkers ~50,000-65,000 DWT; Ultramax is the slightly-larger evolution at ~63,000-65,000 DWT.
In practice
Mid-size dry bulk; flexible cargo range from grain to project cargo. Common officer-progression vessel between Handysize and Panamax.
Regulatory detail & full definition
Supramax is a geared dry-bulk carrier of roughly 50,000 to 60,000 deadweight tonnes, an enlargement of the earlier Handymax class and today one of the most numerous bulker types afloat. A typical Supramax carries its own cargo gear — commonly four cranes of around 30 tonnes each — so it can load and discharge grain, coal, ores, steels and minor bulks at ports without shore cranes. Its combination of size, flexibility and self-sufficiency makes it a mainstay of tramp trading; the slightly larger Ultramax (about 60,000–65,000 DWT) is the modern evolution of the same concept.
Related
Source: Industry usage; Baltic Exchange BSI
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade.