In the business of shipping dry-bulk cargoes, mostly iron ore, coal and grain, there is not even the hint of a silver lining to the cloud.

ECONOMIST: Shipping

But America's grain-handling system is designed for bulk, not discretion.

ECONOMIST: Food for thought | The

The future for the other type of cargo ship bulk carriers, which transport coal, iron ore, grain and so forth is less rosy.

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It is much easier for big western companies to deal with large agri-businesses, to which they can sell fertilisers and equipment in bulk, and from which they can buy vast quantities of grain, sugar beet and sunflower seed.

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