For dry cargoes with a high weight to cost ratio such as coal, grain and ore, economies of scale produced the modern bulk carrier. These vessels are divided into several separate holds covered by hatches. In port, cargo is loaded by conveyor and spouts, or by crane and grab. Some bulk carriers are geared (usually a crane is located between each hatch) to allow the loading and unloading of cargo at berths without the need for shore equipment.
For unloading, cranes with grabs are the norm, although specialized equipment may be used for certain cargoes. When vessels unload using cranes and grabs, personnel and vehicles are often placed inside the holds to assist the process. Cargo is usually unloaded into hopper barges, then transferred by conveyor to silos or open storage. Smaller vessels can often discharge cargo directly into road vehicles.