Clamshell buckets are specialized tools for cranes to handle dry bulk cargo. They consist of two or more movable, hinged bucket-like jaws that form a container space. During loading, the jaws close over the material pile, capturing it within the container space. When unloading, the jaws open while suspended above the pile, allowing the material to fall out. The opening and closing of the jaws are typically controlled by the crane's hoist mechanism using cables. Clamshell bucket operations require minimal physical labor, achieve high loading and unloading efficiency, and ensure safety, making them the primary bulk cargo handling tools at ports.