Bulk Liquid Transportation: What Is It and How It Works

Bulk liquids are one type of goods that the truckers in my freight brokerage like to avoid if possible. I don't recommend bulk liquid transportation for beginners because it's complex and needs extra skill, equipment, and precaution from the trucker. But there are also many advantages to it. 

So what is bulk liquid transportation, and how does it work?

Bulk liquid transportation is the shipping of large liquid quantities through commercial transportation. There are many kinds of goods that can be transported from area to area. These include solids, gases, and even liquids. When goods are transported in large volumes, this is called bulk transportation. 

Bulk liquids are transported with the use of specialized tanker trucks that can hold the liquids safely. But that's not all there is to know about bulk liquid transportation.

I have worked in the trucking industry for 15 years, and I would be happy to share everything I learned about bulk liquid transportation.

What is a Bulk Liquid?

A bulk liquid is any liquid substance that undergoes commercial transportation. These are in large quantities, which is why the word "bulk" is used.

Bulk containers or tankers can be very big in size. The smallest ones can hold 5,000 gallons of liquid, and the biggest ones can hold 11,600 gallons.

There are still weight capacities, however, which are set by the Federal Highway Administration. The largest weight a truck can carry on a public road is restricted to only 80,000 pounds, including the vehicle.

Bulk liquid transportation often involves the following items:

• Chemicals
• Petroleum
• Mineral oil
• Syrups
• Alcohol like wine and beer
• Fruit juice

Bulk liquid transportation is often used in the food processing industry. It can also be used in agriculture, manufacturing, and more. 

This type of freight trucking is essential, especially in the US. It aids in boosting the economy because it exports and imports goods to different places.

How Does Bulk Liquid Transport Work?

Solids or dry bulk are much easier to handle than liquid bulk. That's why I completely understand truckers who like to avoid this type of cargo.

Liquids are more likely to spill. This makes the transportation process more difficult than with non-liquids. That, and truckers will likely be transporting the liquid for several hundred miles.

The liquid is not packed within a container before it gets loaded onto the truck. Usually, the liquid is simply poured directly into the tank on the back of the truck. Truck drivers must make sure there's no leakage of any sort before getting on the road.

A small hole can lead to a big loss. I never had this problem in my company. But I know colleagues who had this issue, and they all say it's not an easy problem to deal with.

Even small leaks require the assistance of a professional chemical cleanup team due to the potential danger of the products being hauled. 

Here is how the transportation process works:

1. Inspections are a must. This happens before liquids get pumped into the tanker truck. Any cracks or dents could cause potential leakage during travel. Any damage or dirt on the inside of the tanker barrel can cause contamination or loss of product, which can ruin a trucking company's image and disappoint clients. Nobody wants that to happen.

2. To test if the tank truck can carry the liquid, it will be pressurized. This ensures that the tanker is safe and durable to withstand the chemical loading process. It will need to be since the transportation could take a day or more and the road conditions could be unpredictable. 

3. After ensuring the tanker is durable enough, the liquid will be pumped in. Loading sites utilize onboard pumps, air compressors, or gravity to load a tanker truck. The loading process can take between 1-4 hours to complete. 

Although not mentioned, it is important that a driver should be very careful. Handling liquids is a heavier responsibility than dry bulk goods.

A sudden turn could cause the liquid to slosh, which can change the direction of the whole container causing deadly rollovers. This puts the driver and everyone on the road in danger.

What is the Best Way to Transport Liquid?

There are different available options when it comes to bulk liquid transportation. Each one has its own capacity and limit. This includes what kind of liquids it can handle. 

Here are the most efficient methods of transporting liquid goods:

ISO Tank

These are the standard containers made of a stainless steel exterior with an interior layer made of protective materials. The materials are what protect the stainless steel from corrosion and damage.

ISO tanks can handle hazardous and non-hazardous liquids. They can hold petroleum, fuels, oils, and other dangerous chemicals.

They have many benefits because of their versatility. They can hold up to 11,000 gallons of liquid, and their lowest capacity is 5,000 gallons.

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC)

These are reusable containers that are significantly smaller than an ISO Tank. They are also industrial grade, which means they can withstand and hold plenty of liquids. These can be hazardous or non-hazardous. Chemicals, solvents, and food are examples of what these can store.

They are called intermediate because their capacity is halfway between that of a drum and an ISO tank. An IBC can hold at least 200 to 1,250 liters. They are known to be very easy to use and to transfer.

Drums and Barrels

These containers come in several kinds. These can be found in steel, plastic, and even fiber. Each kind has to be lined with a special coating to ensure any transported food is hygienic and safe. They can also store several hazardous materials if certified.

Drums can hold at least 20 liters. They have a limit of 250 liters because of their size. A downside to these is the high potential to be mishandled because of their relatively small size. 

Flexitanks

These are collapsible types of containers made of several polyethylene layers. Flexitanks can only hold non-hazardous liquids because of how they're built. You should never overload a Flexitank because it will get destroyed. Underloading them can also cause leaks.

A single Flexitank can handle 25,000 liters. There are also plenty of other sizes that Flexitanks come in. They are very handy but can only be used one time.

Best Bulk Liquid Transport Services

Bulk liquid transportation provides drivers with a big responsibility. It all lies in delivering the cargo safely and steadily. It isn't a job to be taken lightly. That also applies to the companies clients can choose for the transportation of bulk liquids. 

Here are some of the best known in the industry.

1. Foodliner

Foodliner is one of the largest food-grade bulk carriers in the country. This company prides itself on being a reliable and professional liquid bulk carrier. They have over 800 tractors, 1,600 trailers, and 120 leased operators. The company is perfect for liquid transportation of goods such as milk, juices, and more.

2. UWL

UWL provides bulk liquid transportation, not only within the US but worldwide too. The company is able to provide all 4 methods of transportation, from ISO Tanks to Flexitanks. UWL is the best choice for people who want to ship internationally.

3. Liquid Trucking

The company is founded on the premise of agricultural-based transportation. Since liquid fertilizer's growth in popularity, the company has expanded to meet the demand. Liquid Trucking is an eco-friendly and sustainable company. However, they also delve into the transportation of hazardous liquids at times.

Despite the provisions of each company, certain bulk liquids can still carry specific requirements for legal over-the-road transport. The most heavily regulated products are those being used for consumption by pets or for medical drugs. 

There are regulations set by the Food and Drug Administration that everyone needs to abide by. These not only include food but hazardous materials as well. 

Many companies can be trusted with the task of transporting bulk liquids, and these are only a few among the rest. 

Sources:

Federal Highway Administration. Letter to Chairman Bill Shuster. https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/policy/rpt_congress/truck_sw_laws/index.htm

Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for Industry: Sanitary Transportation of Food. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-sanitary-transportation-food 

Foodliner. Food-Grade Liquid Bulk Transportation. https://foodliner.com/ 

Liquid Trucking. What We Transport. https://liquidtrucking.com/

U.S. Department of Transportation. Bulk Packaging. https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/registration/definition-registration-terms

U.S. Department of Transportation. How to Comply with Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials/how-comply-federal-hazardous-materials-regulations 

UWL. Bulk Liquid Logistics. https://www.shipuwl.com/