1- Rigid (ISO)

Due to their ability to safely handle a huge spectrum of products, from extremely hazardous liquids to compressed liquified gases, the 20' ISO tank is the undisputed workhorse in the intermodal tank industry. 

There are several types of ISO tanks: 

• IMO 1 = For hazardous products

• IMO 2 = For non-hazardous materials
• IMO 5 = For compressed liquified gases 

Strictly dedicated IMO 1 or IMO 2 tanks for compatible edible products are used as food grade tanks. In addition, Flexitank has designed special ISO tanks for specific services. Specially designed tanks for aviation gasoline and Toluene Diisocyanate are two such examples. Most tanks are also equipped with heating capabilities. ISO tank barrels are typically constructed from stainless steel, except for the IMO 5's, which are all steel.

2-  Flexible

This equipment consists of a pillow type tank inside a 20' dry container, typically in the 21,000/25,000 liter range, which could be constructed from a nylon/polyurethane composite material (thermoplastic) or from rubber (elastomer). There are disposable versions of the thermoplastic tank but generally they are extensively re-used. Although they can be washed, dedicated service is highly recommended.

Flexible tanks cannot be used to transport hazardous materials.

Shippers are usually skeptical about using flexible tanks for permissible products, especially if they are potentially deleterious to the environment.

Flexitank recommends flexible tanks for products sensitive to air exposure, such as latex, and for long routes where the lower capital costs result in substantial savings.

Intermediate Bulk Containers (Tote Tanks)

IBC's are gaining enormous popularity in industrialized nations due to the many benefits they offer over drums:

• Reduced packaging and distribution cost.

• Increased productivity.

• Lower product losses.

• Lesser environmental impact and safety risks.

Flexitank is actively promoting a combination of intermodal tank transportation and localized IBC's to replace drum distribution in the off-shore markets. Through it's local agencies, Flexitank would deploy a number of IBC's in the country, which could be rotated between warehouse and receiving consumer or, be permanently positioned at the latter (to be refilled by a roving tanker).

Flexitank has long and short lived IBC's, depending on the initial investment justified, which range in capacity from 220 gallons/833 liters (4 drums) to 550 gallons/2,082 liters (10 drums). Even highly hazardous materials could be handled in IBC's. They could be purchased, leased or operated on behalf of the customer.

BULK STORAGE

The conversion from drums to intermodal tanks is often impaired by the lack of bulk storage facilities at the receiving end. Whether temporarily or permanently, Flexitank may be of assistance with flexible or rigid tanks which could rapidly provide the needed storage capacity.

Marine Bulk Parcel Transportation / Distribution Management

Large volume products (>2,000 metric tons/year) to a single international destination usually move through marine bulk. This system requires bulk liquid shore terminals at the export and import locations, and a vessel equipped with tanks and pumps to transport the marine part of the process. The terminals can use multiple tank trucks or rail tanks to manage moderate parcels; larger moves normally require shore storage tanks to avoid expensive vessel demurrage. 

Many shore terminals are within bonded areas, where a product may be stored without paying import duties to the host country for a period of time. This arrangement could be an ideal distribution channel.  

Customers have local inventories without the investment usually associated with them. They gradually "nationalize" the product as needed. Given the extremely high interest rates in Latin America and Caribbean countries vs. North America, the in-bond program could become a strategic marketing tool. Suppliers avoid the need to establish a local company and its corresponding overhead and tax implications.

Flexitank, Inc. can manage the entire process:  

• Feeding and contracting the export terminal.
• Chartering marine tankers.
• Contracting the import terminal.  
• Surveyor certifications (quality/quantity).
• Supervising an in-bond distribution program.
• Offshore inventory insurance.

Flexitank uses terminals which have been previously evaluated by the company for safety and compliance with environmentally sound practices.

Transmodal Product Transfer Stations

The preservation of product integrity is always a focal concern in transfer operations.

Product transfer stations are operated to reduced inland transportation costs and /or to maximize payloads in intermodals tanks.

Rail tanks could be an ideal method to reach export locations when:

• The product source location is relatively far from the port location (greater than 800 Km.)
• Product volumes are in the range of 80 MT per month or per move.
• The rail system is reliable.

The above conditions will generally favor the rail tank option over sending the intermodal tank to the product source or using tank trucks to deliver the product to the port area.

When over-the-road weight restrictions are more severe at the source or intermediate locations than the export jurisdiction, product transfers close to the port can help reduce the overall unit freight cost.

In conjunction with Westway Terminals, Flexitank can provide product transfer services from rail tanks or tank trucks to intermodal tanks at the following U.S. locations:

• Jacksonville, Florida
• Pt. Allen (Baton Rouge), Louisiana
• Brownsville, Texas

All transfer stations are operated in strict compliance with all jurisdictional regulations.   In addition transfer services may be subcontracted at Puerto Cabello (Venezuela), Cartagena (Colombia) and other locations.

The preservation of product integrity is always a focal concern in transfer operations. The Westway/Flexitank process scope can go to great lengths in addressing this issue to the customer's satisfaction. Even large volumes of food-grade products are being handled this way.

Online Shipment Tracking

Flexitank offers an easy to use Internet tracking system that allows you to get the latest information about your shipments. The information available through this service is updated daily. Please, contact your sales representative for more information.