A new Stop Loss publication regarding the use of flexitanks for transporting bulk liquid cargoes.
The publication, titled Flexitanks in the Supply Chain – Defining Safe Operations, focuses on the use of flexitanks for transporting bulk liquid cargoes, aiming to identify associated risks, highlight best practices, and provide practical guidance for stakeholders involved in the procurement, fitting, packing, unpacking, and handling of cargoes in flexitanks.
Additionally, it highlights challenges posed by multi-modal transport, which demands awareness and expertise at intermodal terminals to handle flexitank operations effectively.
What is a flexitank?
In essence a flexitank is a large single use bladder with valves designed to fit inside a general-purpose freight container. The flexitank operates as part of a system which includes the container, flexitank, its fittings and restraining system. While there are potential advantages, the use of flexitanks as a form of packaging to contain and transport liquids does introduce additional considerations and risks at various stages of the supply chain.
Risk mitigation
The guide also addresses specific risks related to different types of liquids transported in flexitanks, such as fruit juices, molasses, edible oils, and pharmaceuticals. Each commodity has unique considerations regarding the materials used for the flexitank, valve configurations, and potential leakage issues. According to the publication, essentials of risk mitigation include:
- Ensure that the cargo is safe for transport in a flexitank and fully complies with regulations. Some non-regulated cargoes may still be hazardous; always check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to verify that the cargo is safe for transport in flexitanks and compatible with the flexitank material.
- Confirm that the flexitank manufacturer has achieved COA Quality Conformance (CQC) and that the flexitank system is listed on the COA Flexitank Quality List (FQL).
- Ensure the CTU is safe and fit for purpose, free from structural deficiencies.
- Verify that the interior of the CTU is undamaged and will not puncture the flexitank.
- Always install all parts of the flexitank system following the manufacturer’s installation instructions and using trained personnel.
- Fill the flexitank at a flow rate that prevents failure or damage to the CTU.
- Avoid underfilling or overfilling; fill to within ±3% of the flexitank’s volumetric capacity, and do not exceed the volume or mass capacity of the CTU as indicated on the door.
- Minimize sudden acceleration during transport, including shunting, heavy braking, sudden lane changes, and repeated bends.
- Load onto ships in positions where the CTU and flexitank are unlikely to be affected by significant heat or acceleration.
- Ensure that flexitanks carrying marine pollutants are not loaded on deck.
- Avoid loading flexitanks with viscous cargo into holds, where any leakage could block bilge pumps.
- Take immediate action if a CTU shows signs of a leaking flexitank.
- Fully comply with incident management recommendations provided by PAS 1008 and the COA’s Code of Practice.
The increasing popularity of flexitanks among shippers for their benefits in transporting bulk liquids. The global demand for flexitanks is rising, making the publication of these safety guidelines timely to ensure the integrity of the shipping process. Flexitanks, which are large single-use bladders designed to fit inside standard freight containers, require careful consideration of the entire system, including the container, fittings, and restraining equipment.
As informed, the publication is intended to be used alongside the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) and the COA’s Flexitank Code of Practice.
To remind, earlier this month, the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) also published a comprehensive best practice guide for the safe use of flexitanks for the transport of liquid cargoes.