November/December 2016
Flexitanks & Bulk Liners
BULKDISTRIBUTOR
COA Code of Practice – No tilt needed
V5 launched
H
T
he new Version (V5) of the COA
Flexitank Code of Practice for a single
use flexitank system has been published by
the Container Owners Association (COA). It
is available in English and Chinese
language.
The earlier version, PAS1008:2014, has
undergone extensive review. Acknowledgement
is given to Andrew Sangster (Braid) and Sergio
Parenzee (Trans Ocean) of the COA Flexitanks
division, as the technical authors, and the other
organisations that were involved as members of
the steering group.
As a result of the review, the standard is reissued as PAS 1008:2016.
The Code of Practice, for a single use flexitank
system, forms part of the COA shipping line
(carrier) risk assessment process. The Code, V5
includes amendments to include reference to
the newly published standard PAS 1008:2016.
There are also some editorial changes.
It requires flexitank manufacturers to comply
with the Code and ensure a safe and reliable
flexitank system.
Compliance with the Code requires that each
manufacturer undergo four quality
management audits for each type of flexitank
manufactured. The four audits are:
• ISO 9001 quality management
• Installation, operating and training
instruction manual
• Material test
• Rail impact test.
Audits for ISO 9001, Installation/training and
material tests are valid for three years, the rail
impact test five years.
Material tests and rail impact tests are
completed to PAS 1008:2016. To allow for a
transition period to repeat any existing test not
completed in accordance with PAS 1008:2016,
the existing test will remain valid until December
2017 except where there is a variation in design
as defined by PAS 1008:2016.
In the rail impact test, use of constraining
equipment (internal side and end wall
reinforcement bars) not permitted for the
purpose of the test. There are controls, such as
recorded mass of the flexitank and restraining
bulkhead, and use of 30,480kg rated container.
Rail impact tests are required to be carried out
at a COA nominated test centre. There are
currently four test centres: TüV Süd Rail (Görlitz,
Germany), TCCI/AAR (Pueblo, Colorado, USA),
BJTU (Beijing China) and CRCC (Beijing China).
The two test centres in China are newly
appointed.
As with both previously appointed test centres
in Germany and the USA, a COA representative
will attend the initial tests.
Members arranging a rail impact test should
contact the COA technical secretary to arrange
for an association representative attendance.
The attendance fee will form part of the test
cost.
Material tests and rail impact tests are carried
out to the provisions of the code, Specification
for the performance testing of a single use
flexitank.
PAS 1008:2016 is available from
http://shop.bsigroup.com
ouston-based Bulk-Flow has recently
developed a liner capable of discharging
its bulk contents without the need for tilting
the container.
The firm says the liner is most suitable for those
hard-to-flow solids with high angle of repose which
tend to compact during unloading. Bulk-Flow claims
it is an ideal solution for locations without tilting
capacity on 40ft and 45ft and 53ft containers.
Meanwhile, the high demand for container bags
and big bags in Europe has led the company to
expand operations in the region.
Oswaldo Mino, Bulk-Flow’s executive director, said:
“The recently installed plant in Barcelona has
allowed us to decrease delivery times to companies
that are beginning to use this bulk load method
with our bags. Having a production plant closer to
the consumer has opened the doors for us in the
European market and, in barely 18 months, we have
exceeded our sales expectations. We are convinced
that the technical support and assessment in bulk
Bulk-Flow says the liner is most suitable for hard-toflow solids which tend to compact during unloading
17
loading and unloading systems for containers has
also contributed to Bulk-Flow’s rapid entry into the
market.”
The facilities in Barcelona include offices for the
commercial, logistics and technical departments,
along with a production plant that is already
working at full capacity, and a development centre
for new products. The needs of European clients are
handled at this location where new technologies
and raw materials are tested to facilitate transport
processes for various products.
For instance, there is the recent development of a
45ft container bag without adhesive belts. It has
been proven that although these have high
performance, they are also difficult to remove and
later impair the transport of merchandise that is
loaded on wooden pallets because the adhesive
tape sticks to the pallet and, in many cases, breaks
them. Bulk-Flow’s technical team was contacted by
a client and developed a bag capable of fulfilling the
same function in record time and without adhesive
tapes.