| Bulk (grains, energy, minerals) | Containerized | |
| Driving Force | Cost / Volume | Time / Flexibility |
| Mode of shipment | Large output | Small shipments |
| Flows | Specialized | Mixed |
| Terminals | Dedicated | General Container |
| Markets | Mass | Niche (spot) |
| Seasonality | From low (energy) to high (agriculture) | Low |
Comparison Between Bulk and Containerized Commodity Transportation
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