How to Bulk Transport Liquid Overseas Safely

If you’re looking to transport bulk liquid overseas, the prospect might leave you feeling nervous. After all, bulk liquid transportation involves a lot of trust. To begin with, you must trust that the carrier has performed tank sanitization to avoid contamination, examined their flexibags for leaks, and can deliver your product in good condition and promptly.

This means you need to collaborate with a reliable and trusted partner such as Techno Group USA from the onset. If you’re venturing into liquid bulk shipping for the first time, our guide will prove invaluable.

Bulk Liquid Products

The term bulk describes non-containerized, loose products that move in mass volumes or quantities. We pack bulk products into a large container or flexibags; this procedure is straightforward than packaging products in smaller containers before we ship.

This is beneficial for moving products that aren’t meant for general consumers, for instance, ingredients for manufacturing food and raw materials. When shipping bulk liquids, we encourage communication regarding the services you require; otherwise, miscommunication could cost you money and time.

Bulk Transportation

Bulk transportation implies the process of transporting bulk liquids over a long distance. Since the liquid is packed into flexitanks for sale, we ensure our bags don’t leak because a tiny leak could lead to a considerable fluid loss over time.

By the time the carrier arrives at the intended destination, most of the shipment might be lost. Before we pump the actual product, we examine our flexibags thoroughly for any dents or damages that could yield leaks.  

If we feel there’s a need for concern, we test for leaks to avoid spillages that could cause environmental damage. For this reason, we encourage you to check with your carrier and ensure they’ve performed a recent inspection. Shippers can use various trailers for bulk shipping, ranging from flexibags to ISO containers.

Ways to Transport Bulk Liquid

We understand that bulk liquid shipping while maintaining low costs and product integrity can be a challenge. Furthermore, a wide range of options exists, so it can be difficult trying to establish the most efficient one. Here’s a look at some of the options worth considering.

ISO Tanks

If you’re transporting a huge capacity of liquid cargo, this option is ideal. This container can accommodate between 20,000 and 26,000 liters. Additionally, you can ship a broader variety of liquid cargo with this option.

It’s possible to transport non-hazardous and hazardous materials in gas, liquid, or powder form because an ISO Tank comprises anti-corrosive materials for the protection of your liquid cargo throughout transport. When using this option, it’s worth noting that you must fill it to between 80% and 95% capacity. If the tank is below 80%, liquid products can surge hazardously in transit. Furthermore, if it’s more than 95% full, it implies that there’s inadequate room for thermal expansion.

Pros

• They have a huge capacity
• You can transport hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals
• They’re reusable
• They’re appropriate for railway and auto transport

Cons

• High costs
• High reliance on cargo

IBCs

Intermediate Bulk Containers are reusable containers for transporting granular substances and bulk liquids such as food ingredients and solvents. An IBC’s shape and size facilitate easy stacking and mounting on a pallet, meaning you can move it using a pallet jack or forklift easily.

When it comes to volume, they can accommodate between 200 and 1250 liters. Also, they enable side and top discharge, meaning they’re somewhat easy to use, without having to transfer cargo to a different storage tank.

Pros

• They enable easy transportation
• Lower handling costs

Cons

• Elevated working cost
• Time-consuming refilling process

Barrels/Drums

Different types of barrels and drums exist, for instance, plastic and steel. However, they’re similar in that they need a coating or liner for hygiene as well as strapping and a pallet for safety. Since their volumes range from 20-250 liters, they’re better suited if you transport a lower capacity of liquid cargo.

You can use them to transport hazardous materials because they can be “UN Certified.” However, we find them challenging to use in terms of safety and storage.

Pros

• They can undergo certification for transporting dangerous goods
• Their uniform size makes it easy to stack them on pallets
• They allow easy transportation

Cons

• Time-consuming refilling process
• Elevated packing costs
• They need considerable storage space, especially for empties

Flexitanks

Flexitanks for sale are unique equipment generated from plastic material. Essentially, the multilayer bags can accommodate up to 25,000 liters.  Typically, we install the tanks within a typical 20 ft. container and pump our clients’ product in it from the bottom or top of the flexibag.

Like the ISO Tank, we must fill a flexibag up to 24 or 25 tonnes to maintain the maximum pressure limit. We recognize that overloading could rupture a container’s side walls while underloading makes it susceptible to leakages.

Optimizing our flexitank cargo is easy with the aid of weighing jacks. It’s worth noting that flexitanks for sale are only suitable for non-hazardous products. This means that they’re ideal for moisture and oxygen-sensitive products.

Pros

• Fast discharging or loading
• No cargo contamination
• Low storage expenses for empty tanks

Cons

• They need insurance for the intended use
• You can’t use them for hazardous goods

They aren’t ideal for railway transport because of possible damage to the rear walls from abrupt stops or heavy shaking

Bulk shipping is a specialized industry that demands product integrity and the maintenance of low costs. If you’re looking to transport bulk products, a reliable carrier is crucial. Therefore, you want to make sure you’ve researched before hiring a carrier.