Look around you. Chances are that much of what you see – from the paint on the wall to the adhesive under your carpet – started its journey inside of a liquid bulk tank. In another article, we introduced you to these tankers along with some of the other equipment involved in bulk liquid transportation.
In this article, we focus on the processes employed by bulk liquid tanker carriers to get product into and out of these tanks and into your supply chain.
During the planning stage, you’ll want to put your service partner (i.e., your bulk liquid tanker carrier or bulk freight 3PL provider) in touch with at least one person at the pickup site – and one at the delivery site – who understands all the necessary requirements. Your partner will reach out to those contacts to confirm key details about procedures and equipment.
It is also important to schedule someone to supervise the loading and unloading processes.
Prior to loading, you must first make sure the driver knows what the product will be loaded out of (e.g., a tank, a series of drums, or other containers) and has the right equipment on hand to do the job. Next, the trailer must be inspected to ensure that it is clean, dry, and odor-free.
Bulk Connection’s recent video on tanker loading shows these processes in action – from pre-inspection through hose connection and safety checks – giving shippers a visual look at how product integrity is maintained from start to finish.
In some cases, additional steps are taken to protect the product during transport. For instance, temperature-sensitive materials like waxes, resins, and certain chemicals may require heating coils or in-transit heat systems to keep the product at a specified temperature throughout the journey.
When it is time for unloading, the receiver should first take a sample to confirm that the truck has brought the right product and that the product is in good condition. As the driver attaches the hoses, the receiver should double check to make sure the product will be flowing into the right tank or other container.
There are two primary methods for unloading a trailer: compressor and pump – and there’s an important difference between the two. When unloading with a compressor, the dome must be closed. But when unloading with a pump, the dome must be open; otherwise, the vacuum set up by the pump could collapse the trailer walls, ruining a piece of equipment worth over $100,000.
As for the trailers, some unload at the center; others from the rear. This difference can be important. If your truck is parked on a surface that pitches upward and you’re unloading from the rear, some of the liquid will stay stuck in the front end of the trailer. That leftover bit, called the “heel,” can prove expensive: if you can’t get it out, you’ll need to dispose of it elsewhere. To avoid waste, make sure the mechanism for unloading fits the environment where you’ll be using it.
Beyond mechanical considerations, unloading procedures also involve close attention to safety and documentation. Drivers and receivers should confirm the product’s batch number, verify seals, and record any observations about the unloading process. These details are critical in industries such as chemicals, food, and beverage, where traceability and compliance are paramount.
One of the biggest differences between liquid bulk and other kinds of freight is the need to wash the trailer. It’s a vital – though inconvenient – part of bulk liquid shipping that prevents cross-contact of products and contamination.
The cost of washing the trailer may appear on your freight bill as a separate charge. For some products, bulk liquid tanker carriers will apply a standard washing charge. For others, the carrier will pass along the actual dollar amount that the wash station charges. To avoid surprises, ask about this charge when you book the load.
When a driver arrives to pick up a load, you should not only inspect the tank but also ask the driver for a washout slip from the wash station. This document tells you exactly how the equipment was washed, letting you know if it was done correctly.
This tank washing requirement adds extra time to every shipment. After dropping a load, the driver might have to travel an hour or more — maybe even to another state — to reach a suitable tank wash station.
This is often because not every washing facility is designed to clean every liquid bulk tank. Some handle chemicals only, while others are designed only for food-grade loads. The wash station may use detergent, steam, or a caustic wash to clean the tank, depending on the last product hauled. Along with the trailer, the station also washes pumps and hoses.
To make this process easier for shippers, Bulk Connection developed our Tank Wash Finder Tool – an online tool that enables truckers, carriers, and other transportation professionals to quickly access detailed information for over 400 tank wash facilities in North America.
This tool is regularly updated and allows users to quickly locate the nearest certified wash station that meets their product’s specific needs.
For most manufacturers, chemical producers, and food ingredient shippers, managing these intricate processes in-house is simply not practical. That’s where a bulk freight 3PL like Bulk Connection adds tremendous value.
From selecting the right carrier and equipment to confirming wash certifications and ensuring drivers have the proper PPE and unloading gear, Bulk Connection acts as your logistics safety net for liquid bulk shipping. Our experts have decades of experience moving bulk liquids while maintaining compliance, product quality, and on-time delivery.
By centralizing these responsibilities, a bulk freight 3PL helps shippers avoid costly mistakes, prevent contamination events, and keep their products – and their reputations – safe.
Understanding the processes of bulk liquid tanker carriers isn’t just about the tanks and valves – it’s about precision, preparation, and partnership. From proper loading and unloading to certified tank washes and documentation, every step plays a role in ensuring product integrity and supply chain success.
When you partner with Bulk Connection, you gain more than access to our network of carriers (one of the largest networks in North America). You gain the confidence that every detail – from temperature control to tank cleanliness to safety compliance – is handled by experts who’ve been doing this for nearly 40 years.
To learn more, contact Bulk Connection today to speak directly with a bulk freight expert.