Over the past couple of years the Containers Owners Association (COA) has been managing, via a series of meetings open to all flexitank manufacturers and operators (a Flexitank Working Group WG) with the purpose of issuing industry standards for the safe and reliable operation of flexitanks.
Efforts to develop such a standard did prove to be lengthy and complicated, with not all parties initially agreeing to the parameters. However, now a recognised independent body will now be appointed to assist in the compilation and approval of the standard and will also supervise and approve flexitank and container testing, which will form an integral and central part of a formal certification programme.
The long awaited good news for all flexitank industry leaders and participants is that at the end of April, the COA published its “Flexitank Code of Practice”, which will be formally adopted from 1 January 2010.
The Code will permit flexitank manufacturers and operators to test their products according to criteria acceptable to container operators and other container owners. The recommended code is divided into five sections concentrating on: Container selection for flexitank/container combination; test criteria for flexitank/container combination and for flexitank materials; container and flexitank marking; incident management and insurance; and training. In addition the code give details of COA Rail impact flexitank/container combination testing procedures. For a full summary download the pdf from the right hand link.
Why is this positive for TransOcean and the liquid bulk transport industry?
“We feel this is a very positive move and all the work that has gone into setting a standard code will benefit the whole industry by raising levels of professionalism and safety and should lead to more constructive dialogue and improved relationships with carriers, as well as rail operators and hauliers”. Alec McAndrew (Head of Engineering and Design)