| Photo of the month – March 2022 |
[German version] |
| We are pleased to bring you two columns. |
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| The long and winding road to safe transport | Flexitank leaks |
Flexitank leaks:
Figure 1 [CINS]
This image is also from a monthly CINS report. For this month, the Flexitank leaks listed were reported. But they represent only the tip of the iceberg, as only a few members of CINS send in detailed reports.
Figure 2 [CINS]
The slight bulging on the sides of the container shown in the photo above suggest that the Flexitank may have been damaged when the container was set down (the Flexitank “burst”). This Flexitank was filled with latex, which solidifies in contact with air. The problems start when this container is, for instance, stowed in a ship’s hold during rainy weather and subsequently leaks. The latex can get into the bilges and wells of the vessel, where it will trigger an alarm. The crew would assume that the alarm was caused by rainwater and start up the bilge pumps. “Misunderstandings” such as this have in the past led to a few days of repairs in the shipyard after the latex solidified in the bilge pump system (pipework and pump).
The link below contains useful information for assessing transport operations using Flexitanks in containers.
Your load securing columnists as always wish you a safe and secure journey!
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