High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! A bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships, causing them to grow in size and sophistication. Today`s bulkers are specially designed to maximize capacity, safety, efficiency, and to be able to withstand the rigors of their work.