The technical requirements applicable to tank containers are far more demanding than those for drums, road tankers and railway tanks, as they include load and impact tests that are not applicable to other means of transport. This makes the tank container much stronger and safer than any other mode of transport. As a consequence the World is a safer place.
When tank containers are compared to other modes of bulk transport it is clear that they are the preferred mode. Compare tank containers to other modes:
| |
Tank Containers |
Drums |
Flexibags |
IBCs/Totes |
| Re-usability |
Nearly unlimited re-usability. When changing products tanks may require passivation if at all. Only limitation is the segregation between gas and liquid tanks and food grade and chemical tanks. |
Limited ability to re-use. Often shipped once only. |
Generally only used for single trips but flexibags can be cleaned and reused. Commonly requires shipping back to an overseas cleaning location. Cannot interchange between hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals. |
Stainless IBC’s have nearly unlimited re-usability. When changing products stainless IBC’s may require passivation if at all. Only limitation is the segregation between food grade and chemical tanks. |
| Ability to clean |
Cleaning facilities exist around the world. |
Limited ability to clean and almost no financial incentive to do so. |
Usually has to be shipped back to the origin location for cleaning. |
Cleaning abilities exist around the world. |
| Protection against leaks |
Three closures are required on all tank containers. Three failures must happen for a tank to leak. |
Punctures can happen. The steel on most drums is relatively thin. Drums have a single closure. |
Rips and tears are common and lead to leaks. |
|
| Ability to safely transport hazardous products |
Different models of tank containers constructed to handle different types of hazardous products. |
|
Not allowed |
Different models of IBCs constructed to handle different types of hazardous products. |
| Permitted on all modes of transport |
Permitted for transport via truck, rail, barge and ship |
Permitted for transport via truck, rail, barge and ship |
Some railroads have banned the transport of flexibags. |
Permitted for transport via truck, rail, barge and ship |
| Quantity shipped in a 20 foot container |
Up to 26000 liters/6868 gallons. |
78 drums can be loaded in 20 foot container. 78 x 55 gallon capacity = 4290 gallons. |
|
Up to 20 IBC’s in a 20 foot container x 350 gallons each = 7000 gallons |
| Useable life |
Up to 35 years |
5 years depending on use. |
3 years |
Stainless - Up to 35 years Plastic – 5 to 7 years |
| End of useable life |
Stainless and carbon steel barrels and frames have significant financial value. Scrapping the tanks so that the steel can be re-used is the most common practice. |
If properly handled drums can be scrapped but there is limited financial incentive to do so. |
Flexibags can be recycled but there is a cost to have them recycled. No financial incentive. |
Steel IBC’s can be scrapped and the steel has value for re-use. Plastic IBC’s have limited value at the end of their life. |
Tank trailers and railcars offer similar environmental benefits but these assets are limited by their ability to travel only within continents and countries. On the other hand, the tank container is truly a global transportation vehicle.
Recently the International Tank Container Organization (ITCO) engaged a UK consultancy to compare the carbon foot print created by tank containers to other modes of transport. The study found that tank containers, from original construction through years of use, to the end of its useful life had the smallest carbon footprint versus alternative modes
