Drums are used to transport small quantities, these being transported in a container, on a pallet or sometimes on the deck of the vessel.

Drums can be divided into three groups, (1) steel or iron drums, (2) HDPE drums and (3) Kraft drums. The steel, iron or HDPE drums are either of the bung- or removable-head type; the difference being that the top of the bung type doesn’t come off, while the top of the other is removable. Therefore the bung-types are used for fluids and the removable-head is used for solids. All types of drums have a label as containers do.

Steel or iron drums

The bung-type steel or iron drum is relatively secure, because it is strongly made of metal and welded shut which makes it good for transporting fluids. For certain fluids transport in steel or iron drums is mandatory. The removable-head drum is less secure because the top can be knocked off.

HDPE drums

The HPDE drums (High Density Poly Ethylene) are like the steel or iron drums though plastic, making it possible to transport chemicals, which would react with steel or iron. A weakness of these drums (especially the removable head type) is that they can become insecure when struck by another object.

Kraft drums

Kraft drums are mostly made of rounds of paper though they may be reinforced by an aluminium weave. Having no resistance to fluids. Kraft drums are used to transport powders such as those of agri-food and pesticides. Again, Kraft drums are insecure when accidentally exposed to water, though they are cheaper than the steel, iron or HDPE alternatives.