“The tank wash can be the eyes of the carrier,” said Pete Nativo of Transport Service Co, noting that facilities may be the first to determine a problem is present with a product or the tank integrity.
The subject was discussed by members of a panel that included Nativo, Greg Winters of PSC Environmental, Ed Matlage of Miller Transporters Inc, Travis O'Banion of Trimac Transportation Inc, and Charlie Stock of Tank Trailer Cleaning Inc and council chairman.
Coordination between carrier and tank wash is essential for both to perform their services in a timely manner, the panel noted. Communication with carrier dispatchers is especially important because they typically are the people handling the transaction and can alert managers if further decisions are required.
For example, problems can arise when grinders are used on some tanks to remove resin. The grinding can damage tank integrity. Coordinating such procedures with a carrier's dispatcher before they are applied would eliminate the problem.
O'Banion recommended having a cost model for tank cleaning services that can be presented to carriers so that they are aware of what will be required up front.
Matlage noted that carriers review various considerations when choosing a tank wash, particularly because of the logistics required in the transportation of products.