September 28, 2020
Understanding the Processes of Bulk Liquid Transport
Bulk liquid transport is more than moving bulk materials, such as food and liquids, from one place to another. It’s a complicated process involving a lot of planning, care, and the right team to ensure that liquid bulk transportation companies get products where they need to go, safely, and according to legal regulations.
Bulk Liquid Transport Requires a Team of Skilled Professionals
Bulk transportation requires more than a skilled driver to move products from point A to point B. The shipper, receiver, and carrier all have specific responsibilities to attend to, requiring teams on all ends be capable of proper planning and have outstanding communication skills. This will ensure the job gets done right and promptly.
Those involved in the include:
- A liquid bulk transportation company with the right vehicle – The company that ships the goods.
- The Logistics Team – Team members that load the products onto the carrier/vehicle and monitor/direct the shipment on where to go and when.
- A Receiver – The individual/company that is receiving goods.
- The Shipper – The individual/company that is sending goods.
Without constant communication and proper planning, bulk liquid food grade transportation can quickly become a disaster.
3 Primary Steps in the Bulk Liquid Transport Process
With the right team at the ready, you can start delving into the bulk liquid transport process. Understanding these processes is vital when choosing who to work with because it helps you make an informed decision.
1. Loading
Loading a carrier takes a lot of planning to ensure that products get where they need to go safely and according to regulation. This is crucial when it comes to bulk liquid food grade transportation.
The loading process involves several steps:
- When the carrier vehicle arrives, the team needs to ensure the loading dock is clean and free of all debris and potential contamination.
- In bulk liquid transport, when loading your product, you can use one of two methods: air pressure or roper pump. With both techniques, a hose and pump are hooked up to the access point where the loader will pressurize the hoses to confirm there are no leaks. Then the valve can be opened, and the pump turned on.
- Once the vehicle is loaded, the team will go through a post-load check to ensure everything was done right; there are no leaks and no chances of contamination.
2. Offloading
Once the shipment has arrived at the receiving location, it will go through an offloading process. Depending on the offloading method chosen by the receiver, the process can look remarkably similar to the initial loading process.
The offloading process follows this pattern:
- Upon arrival, the receiver should attain a sample of the product to ensure it is the right product and in good condition.
- To ensure there is no risk of cross-contamination, the best way to offload bulk liquids is to use gravity to move the product from the carrier to the new container.
- Should gravity not be a viable option, then a pump and compressor setup can be used.
3. Care/Maintenance
Proper tanker care and maintenance are crucial in bulk liquid food grade transportation as it’s essential to the health and wellbeing of those loading, offloading, storing, and consuming of the products. Without the right care and maintenance, carrier vessels face:
- Reduced product integrity
- Bacteria growth
- Failed inspections
- Potential cross-contamination
Choose Kan-Haul for Your Bulk Liquid Transport Needs
Here at Kan-Haul, we understand all the moving processes involved in bulk liquid transportation. With approximately 30 years in the business, we know what it takes to get your products transported safely and according to regulations.
Curious how we can help with your bulk liquid food grade transportation needs? Then contact us today or call us at (800) 959-9501 for more information.