Niche service targets bulk fluids

In addition to providing all the facilities of a major container depot, SA Transport Investments (Sati) is now busy promoting another new, niche service – a full temperature-controlled heating system for Flexitanks and Tankcontainers transporting bulk fluids. “There’s a problem,” MD Mark Holbrook told FTW. “Certain bulk fluid products – such as any oils or fruit products, like glucose – cool down on their transport leg, and the fluid becomes viscous. “At the time of loading many products are still warm, which assists in the loading process. On arrival in Durban the product is at ambient temperature and very viscous. Some receivers are unable to off-load the product in this state and this is where Sati offers a heating facility to heat the product and load to road tankers for ease of off-loading at clients’ premises. “If you’re trying to transfer the fluid in its thick state, that’ll take you eightto- nine hours. With the heating system applied to the container, the whole job only takes two-to-three hours – a third of the time.” The company also arranges to strip and dispose of the dunnage and bulk bag and turn the empty container into the shipping line’s nominated depot.