Shipping bulk volumes of chemicals around the country is no simple feat. While safely transporting large quantities of potentially hazardous chemical products or solutions, the most important things you need to know are the local, state and federal regulations.
When it comes to shipping chemical products, knowledge is key. Start by learning how the overall process works, what regulations exist and how the best chemical fulfillment companies get the job done correctly, and the transport process becomes much easier.
Bulk trucks or tankers are semi-truck cabs and trailers that carry various chemical products and solutions around the country. There are a few different types of bulk trucks that chemical transportation companies use for specific solutions:
All three of these transportation types allow for secure storage and shipment of your chemical products in large quantities, which reduces the time it takes for your products to get to market.
If the thought of transporting large quantities of your own product across the country leaves you stumped, you can always work instead with a third party transport company to get the job done. Companies that specialize in chemical warehousing, transport and fulfillment can assist in meeting shipping deadlines and getting your product distributed with little stress on your end.
How do they do it? There is a standard process companies (like Royal Chemical) use to determine what kind of tanker or trailer you need, the route the truck will take and how to handle the little details you may have missed.
The following six-step process shows how the process works, from transmitting product information to the chemical transport company to weighing your product and setting out on the road.
One of the first things you will discuss with your chemical transport company are the specifics of your product. Have this information ready:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all employees who handle hazmat chemicals in the workplace to have access to a chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS). That means your organization must provide the SDS to the transportation company of your choice so that the driver knows what chemical they’re transporting and any potential hazards it may pose.
Information the shipping company uses includes:
This information is vital when choosing the right type of tanker, trailer and shipping containers (if needed). It also helps the transportation company create an efficient and accurate shipping route and timeline to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding logistical expectations.
If your chemical is a hazardous material, then the transportation company must take extra measures to ensure the shipment’s safety and meet local, state and federal hazmat transport regulations.
Multiple government institutions, including OSHA, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have regulations for shipping chemicals. Here are some of the regulations you and your shipping company must take into consideration:
Other factors to consider when working with a shipping company include:
Before loading the tanker with your product, the driver must weigh the truck first. They can do so on-site at the pickup location, if available, or they may need to stop at a weighing station en route. Once the solution is loaded into the tanker, the driver weighs the truck again to find the difference in weight, which is the weight of your product being hauled.
This information is vital for drivers because they must follow weight restrictions when accessing certain roads and to make sure all of your product is transported where it needs to go safely and without breaking any laws.
It’s important to note that this whole process is collaborative since you know your product and chemical shipping companies know how to get products where they need to go. After your chemical transport company of choice has the information about your product, you should work together to determine other logistical elements, like shipping costs, timelines and storage.
You want to choose a chemical transport company with the experience, equipment, licenses and insurance coverage needed to get the job done. Here are the features and qualities you should look for in a chemical transportation company so you know you’re getting the best service possible:
The experienced team at Royal Chemical is well-equipped to manage hauling logistics and heavy lifting so you can free up time, energy and space to focus on your business. We can help you assess your chemical transport needs and identify the most effective solutions for your organization.
For questions on bulk chemical transport or information on Royal Chemical’s bulk transport services, contact our team today and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Let’s get started safely and efficiently shipping your product where it needs to go!