break bulk

In the past, shipping was “break bulk cargo” handled manually by longshore workers.

Until the late 1990s, fresh produce was shipped on break bulk ships—general cargo vessels with big refrigerated spaces—from the production site to a single destination.

When ships moored, hordes of longshoremen unloaded “break bulk” cargo crammed into the hold.

Workers will still handle U.S. mail, military cargo, perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables, and “break bulk” goods such as cars, wood products and steel, according to a strike-preparations from the ILA.

Workers will still handle U.S. mail, military cargo, perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as “break bulk” goods such as cars, wood products and steel, according to a strike-preparations memo from the ILA.