If you're just getting started in important and exporting, then you'll need to know how you can ship any bulk liquid safely. There's hundreds of different liquids that you may be moving, so what's the best way to ship them? Here's what you need to know.
Pick The Right Tank Type
When it comes to bulk liquid shipping, you'll want to use a tank that works best for your needs. There are lots of different options out there, so you have plenty of choice. Drums and barrels are often popular options for shipping, as are ISO tanks for larger amounts of liquids. Which one should you choose?
As you're looking into shipping bulk liquids safely, then you'll want to take a look at the Flexibag. These are often referred to as Flexitanks as well, and they're becoming a highly popular way to ship bulk liquids around the country and abroad.
Flexitanks for sale are different than normal tanks as they are essentially large polyurethane bags, that can hold up to 24,000 liters depending on the bags you get. They offer a lot of benefits, including:
- The flexitank reservoir can be filled up directly in the shipping container
- Are a one use only item so don't need to be cleaned
- Take up much less space in storage
- Can be used with a wide variety of bulk liquids
- Are approved by the FDA
These are just a few benefits, but you can see why the Flexibag is now becoming one of the most popular ways to ship bulk liquids. They make it a lot easier to ship liquids safely, so you'll want to consider these when looking at picking tanks.
Check Your Tank Is Compatible With Your Bulk Liquid
One important thing you should be considering when shipping any bulk liquid is how compatible the two are together. Not all tanks will be compatible with every liquid, so you will need to do your research. If you don't, you run the risk of things like contamination and possible leaks.
This is another reasons why flexitanks for sale are becoming so popular. They're approved for use with such a wide range of liquids, such as water, sulphates, oils, and much more besides. They're also the only tank type to be approved by the FDA, something you'll want to know if you're considering shipping out food grade liquids.
Ensure That Tanks Are Cleaned
One of the most important things that you should do when shipping bulk liquids is have the tanks cleaned once you've used them to make a shipment. It is vital this is done well, as if there's even a trace amount of a different liquid in the tank, then it leads to the risk of cross contamination. This risk is lessened when you use tanks such as drums and IBCs, as they are designed to be used with liners.
If you want to be totally sure there's no risk of contamination, then you'll want to make the switch to the Flexibag. These are designed to be one use only, and once they reach their destination they're recycled, rather than cleaned and used again. That ensures that you'll never have to worry about that risk, and you'll be able to save costs on cleaning, too.
Inspect Containers Before Shipping
Here's another important step that you can't afford to miss. Every time you're about to make a shipment, you'll need to inspect the tanks you're using to ensure that they're in good condition. A tank that's not in top condition is a liability, as it could lead to leaks and other issues when they're on the road.
The same goes for containers too. You'll need to check these too ensure there's no issues with them, so they won't affect your tanks when you're shipping bulk liquids. If you're using a flexitank reservoir, for example, then you'll need to check that there are no sharp edges, nails, or anything else sticking out that could puncture the tank. If you find anything, you'll need to hammer nails down or tape over rough surfaces. Then, you'll use a cardboard liner before you insert your Flexibag before shipping.
Train Up Staff Before Shipping
Before you get started with shipping any bulk liquid, you'll need to look at getting your staff trained in using the tank you've selected. There are different ways of using each tank, and of course if they're used incorrectly then they can cause issues later on.
For example, drums will need to be filled individually, stacked onto pallets and wrapped, before being lifted into the shipping container. Again, this is where many companies are making the switch to flexitanks for sale, as they're a lot easier to fill and empty. The tank is put in the container empty, and then filled with a pump from there. The same goes for emptying them, as they are emptied directly from the container.
Whichever tank type you're using, you'll want to consider how easy they are to use. A flexitank reservoir will be simpler than using an ISO tank for example, and so less mistakes can be made during the filling and shipping process.
These are some of the main ways you can ensure you're shipping bulk liquids safely. When you follow these tips, you'll be able to avoid most common issues that shipping companies come across, and ensure that your bulk liquids make it to their destination safely.