GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND CONVENTIONS FOR SMOOTH OPERATIONS IN TANK CONTAINER DEPOTS

GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND CONVENTIONS FOR SMOOTH OPERATIONS IN TANK CONTAINER DEPOTS

Amid the continually advancing IT-enabled corporate world of the times today, efficiency, uprightness and free exchange of communication supported by exemplary leadership will prove to be the hallmarks of prosperous organizations. Businesses are increasingly being powered by information technology and the digital solutions it presents. The extent of the digitally connected world’s influence on us is so well pronounced that our outmoded ways of working by wading through voluminous documentation are making way for new means that generate speed, openness, competence and success, attaining higher levels of customer satisfaction.

The global ISO Tank Container market, according to QY Research, was valued at $790m in 2018. By 2025, this is expected to reach $1580m at a CAGR of 9%. This growth is dictated by the rising demand for crude oil, liquid hydrocarbons, petrochemicals and polymer resins. Shippers recognize the advantages of using tank containers in favor of drums and parcel containers, hence the global tank container fleet continues to expand. Such a rapid growth in the tank container fleet places tremendous strain on tank container depots to expand capacity and automate their in-house work processes.

Let’s look at some key principles that can help tank container depots stay profitable, maintain a competitive edge and boost customer satisfaction.

Repair standards

The perfect method to deal with repairs is to restore the damaged component or part in a way that it meets the original product specification. On the contrary, if the depot employs different repair standards to fulfil a client’s specific need, the work turns unproductive and wasteful. In the tank container logistics process, repair and maintenance costs play a significant role in profitability. While the depot capacities are going up, the IT infrastructure, health and safety regulations are also becoming more severe. So handling non-standard repair requirements adds to the already over-burdened commitments. In such scenarios, the standardization of manifold steps and rudiments in repair and maintenance will bring about seamless processes and better cost-controls. Best practices demand timely planning, free flow of communication, consistent and precise instructions and explicit contracts.

Quality Assurance

Repaired tank containers must satisfy the quality standards agreed upon. This should be further validated by the depot’s quality assurance team. The QA system should match recognized standards and obtain independent audits and endorsements Client quality assurance must be performed by the depot’s own engineers or third party surveyors. 

Replacement of components

The industry standard procedures state that the replacement parts must use “like for like” components, which suggests that only spares that meet similar specifications and grade as that of the original must be used. Replacement of spare parts with inferior substitutes affects safety and voids the original manufacturer’s warranty.

Periodic inspections

Clients must keep a record of the last and next inspection due for each tank container in their fleet, and ensure that the tests are conducted in time before the expiry date. The depots must repair the tank container and ensure it is fit before a surveyor’s visit. Such diligence eliminates the possibility of a failed test and the resulting costs.

Examinations to comply with the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972 (CSC)

This falls within the IMDG regulations, which state that containers, including tank containers, must periodically be inspected to comply with the safety requirements of the CSC initiative. Tank container depots must implement CSC examinations during periodic inspections and tests mandated by IMDG, ADR/RID, CFR49 and other regulations. This qualifies the CSC examination date to be displayed on the test certificate.

Tank Container Depot Operators face ordeals in their daily operations because, while they are focused on attaining productivity, they must also maintain excellent operational efficiency. Proven software solutions in Tank Container Depot Operations incorporate speedy Gate-in Process with pre-intimation registration feature, M&R, Tank Inventory Tracking, Leak Test Reports, Cleaning Certificates and Activity-wise Customer Billing with features to generate business-critical management reports.

Constant engagement with leaders in the shipping industry and technology expertise make iInterchange Systems the perfect partner to satisfy the software needs of container depots and ocean carriers.

Tank Container Depot Operators benefit by using iTankDepo, the all-in-one software solution that addresses critical tasks with superior operational efficiency. iInterchange Systems is a part of the VS&B Containers group, and offers iTankDepo by licensing and on the “cloud” via subscription model.

Note:

Facts and figures stated in the blog are gathered from reliable sources on the internet.