What does "break-bulk" refer to in transportation operations?

"Break-bulk" refers to the separation of a single bulk load into smaller individual shipments. This process is crucial in transportation operations as it allows for the distribution of goods that are not suitable for shipping as a single bulk item. Instead of moving large loads to a single destination, break-bulking enables a carrier to divide the shipment into manageable quantities that can be sent to various locations.

For example, a shipping container filled with bulk goods, such as raw materials or production components, may need to be split up so that different parts can be delivered to different customers or destinations. This not only improves efficiency but also adapts to the needs of the supply chain, where different clients may require different amounts of a product.

The other options describe different aspects of shipping and logistics, but they do not capture the specific action of dividing a bulk load into smaller shipments, which is essential for effective distribution in transportation operations.