Capesize

Capesize ships are the largest dry cargo ships with ball mark dimension:[i] about 170,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) capacity, 290 m long, 45 m beam (wide), 18m draught (under water depth).

[1] They are too large to transit the Suez Canal (Suezmax limits) or Panama Canal (Neopanamax limits),[2] and so have to pass either Cape Agulhas or Cape Horn to traverse between oceans.

[3] Ships in this class are bulk carriers, usually transporting coal, ore and other commodity raw materials.

[5] The large dimensions and deep drafts of such vessels mean that only the largest deep-water terminals can accommodate them.

[6] Subcategories of capesize vessels include very large ore carriers (VLOC) and very large bulk carriers (VLBC) of above 200,000 DWT.

MV Berge Athene , a capesize bulk carrier of 225,200 DWT, built in 1979
After deepening of the Suez Canal , a formerly capesize bulk carrier approaches the Suez Canal Bridge .
Capesize bulk carrier Cape 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 ]