ISO Tank Containers:

Usage, Components,
and Safety
Written by Kevin S. Balaban, Global Industrial Sales Manager

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 1

ISO tank containers are manufactured to the International Organization for
Standardization requirements for physical dimensions and universal feature
set to carry liquids, hazardous and non-hazardous.

According to QY Research, the value of global ISO Tank Container market

was $790m in 2018 and they expect it to reach $1580m by the end of 2025,
growing at a CAGR of 9.0 percent during 2019-2025. Growing usage of
ISO tank containers with its increased efficiency for efficient bulk liquid
transportation is becoming a preferred choice for shipping.

At APC, we strive to be a world-class coatings solution provider, and with that

role comes the commitment to stay on top of the global ISO tank container
market and its value-added, tank lining. This article covers ISO specifications,
components of an ISO container, and why an ISO tank container with its
appropriate lining is suitable to handle the needs of the transportation
industry.

Let’s dive in...

In this article we will discuss:

• ISO Tank Containers: Concept, Certification, & Quality Management

Principles
• History of the ISO Container
• ISO Tank Linings
• Why ISO Tank Containers are Preferred to Carry Bulk Liquids
• Bulk Liquids Transported in ISO Tanks
• Challenges Faced by ISO Tanks

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 2

ISO Tank Containers: Concept, Certification,
& Quality Management Principles

While the concept of intermodal transportation started in England, most of

the ISO tanks in use today are made in China or Germany. This way they are
filled close to the source and then shipped around the world. A great deal of the
liquid chemicals shipped in ISO tanks come from the EU or China to the US
with much less going the other way. ISO tanks made of stainless steel normally
will have a useful life of at least two years carrying corrosive chemicals, but as
the usage patterns have changed the shells of the tanks have been made of a
thinner and thinner material which predicts a shorter life.

ISO tanks reduce shipping and handling costs because they allow smaller
than shiploads or truckloads of liquids to be packaged and easily carried by
truck to the railway, from the train to ship deck and in some cases ISO tanks
will be sent by air. The concept of having all the containers the same size, with
mechanically stable frames around them, common connections, and methods
for locking them securely in place - means cranes and other material handling
devices are built to quickly connect to the tank and securely move it from
vehicle to vehicle.

Likewise, ISO tanks can be stacked. There are railcars now that allow two ISO
tanks to ride on the well of the railcar with another two tanks stacked on top
of them. This ease of movement especially for thousands of gallons of liquid
is a huge time saver. The older standard sized methods would have been skid
mounted IBC (intermediate bulk container) tanks at around 300 gallons each
or 55-gallon drums versus around 4,000 gallons for an ISO tank.

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 3

What Does ISO Certification Mean?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was created in 1947

to promote industrial and commercial standards.

According to Don Keehan, APC chairman, “ISO certification is recognized

throughout the world as a commitment to continuous improvement in
all areas of operations. Achieving ISO certification clearly illustrates our
continuing high standards to produce quality products for our customers
throughout the world.”

For organizations, the standard helps to ensure business processes meet

the needs of their customers and all regulatory agencies. ISO International
Standards ensure products and services are reliable with good quality and
ease of use.

For ISO tank containers, the tanks are manufactured according to

international regulations and need to be inspected and certified. All ISO
containers need to conform to regulations such as size, strength, and
durability and prepared for its main purpose.

According to Lloyd’s Register, “The inspection and certification must be done before
a new container is put into service. The next inspection comes no more than five
years after the date of construction, as long as the container has been in use for
at least two years. After that, the CSC (Convention for Safe containers) states ISO
containers should be inspected roughly every two years (no more than 30 months).”

ISO containers include a container safety certificate (CSC) issued by the

manufacturer.

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 4

 History of an ISO Tank Container

The first standard box container was developed by Malcom McLean. He was
known as a transport entrepreneur who developed the modern intermodal
shipping container, revolutionizing transport and international trade in the
late 1920’s. In the mid 1950’s the container was made as a standard box
container, so it could be used as the outer packaging to the then traditional
methods of unloading the contents from a truck, into a ship, and then
into another truck for final delivery. This enabled a more flexible mode of
transportation, thus improving the handling and storage methods as well as
eliminating the added cost of truck transportation. Present day the container
dimensions have standardized to an international standard size of 20’ long, 8’
wide and 8’6” high - the ISO (International Standards Organization) Frame.

A corner casting is fitted at each corner of the container. This allows the
container to sit on a railcar, a chassis, be handled by a spreader or transported
by ship. The ISO is locked in position by a twist lock twist into the corner
casting, preventing it to move during shipment. The 1960’s brought us to
where we are present day – a circular vessel mounted in a rectangular steel
framework.

The ISO Tank Container’s development has allowed the carriage of all types
of products ranging from, but not limited to, portable (food grade) liquids,
nonhazardous, and hazardous aqueous materials, including corrosives,
explosives, toxics, and flammables. Utilizing a Tank Container helps eliminate
the risks in transferring solutions (liquids) from one vessel to another. This

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 5

provides a cost effective, secure and extremely safe viable mode of shipment.
Upon the Tank Container being discharged, it is taken to an acceptable
cleaning terminal, thoroughly cleaned for that cargo, allowing it to carry its
next load.

Tank Container Specification and Safety Features

From M&S Logistics, the container specifications are as follows: a cylindrical

pressure vessel, surrounded by a 20’ x 8’ x 8.6’ steel framework (the overall
international standard dimensions of a container).

Innova Industries shares an ISO tank container walkthrough below:

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 6

 Industries, Innova. “ISO Tank Container Walkthrough.” YouTube, YouTube, 4 Dec. 2013,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pglMQQDnAlg&t=2s.

ISO Tank Linings

Protective tank linings are engineered to extend the life of the ISO tank
especially when carrying corrosive liquids. These are the same linings used in
ship holds, rail cars and over-the-road tank trailers.

The tank liner is resistant to the corrosive effects of the chemicals normally
shipped. While many liquid chemicals and some solids are shipped in ISO
tanks the most damaging to the tanks are Sulfuric and Hydrochloric acids.
While these and similarly aggressive chemicals are very common, any liquid

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 7

and some solids are shipped in the ISO tank.

Protective coating of an ISO tank is most often done by the original

manufacturer, since they can do it most efficiently. The value and lifespan
of the tank are enhanced with a protective coating which means the same
container can carry more shipments.

Beyond a longer life span, the right protective coating inside the tank allows
a wide variety of cargo to be shipped in the tank. Usually a coated tank can be
pressure washed with plain water and is ready for the next load without fear
of contamination. By having the right protective coating inside, the life of ISO
tanks has been extended to 8 years. The initial investment pays off in longer
life-span and more loads carried in the same tank. Many of these tanks are
rented or leased.

Selecting the right lining depends on the chemical cargoes anticipated to be

carried.

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 8

 Why ISO Tank Containers are Preferred to
Carry Bulk Liquids

Tank containers provide an efficient solution for bulk liquid transport.

Here’s why...

1. They are cost-effective. ISO tank containers are easily moved to and from
ship to rail to trucks and with standard handling equipment. This lowers
handling and storage costs. This can be 30% lower shipping cost versus an
over-the-road tanker.

2. It enhances the safety by assuring secure containment of the cargo and

shipping hazardous cargo by rail and ship and not on public roads.

3. ISO tank containers can maintain a specific temperature for temperature

sensitive cargo.

4. The tank containers are highly reliable. Most are manufactured from
stainless steel which has natural corrosion resistance (and tank linings elevate
this). The containers can withstand variations in pressure and temperature.

5. ISO tanks can be stacked which increases the ease of handling and storage.

6. ISO tank containers are environmentally friendly. It has a long lifespan and
leaves a carbon footprint that is almost 50% less than that of an equivalent
drummed shipment on certain long-haul routes.

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 9

7. They do not require additional packaging materials for the cargo.

Sources: 1. https://www.bulktransporter.com/cargo-tankstrailers/top-benefits-iso-tank-containers-
chemical-hauling 2. https://www.slideshare.net/svlrindia/introduction-of-iso-tank-containers 3. https://
rabinmarine.com/en/2017/07/25/iso-tank/

Stephen T. Hamilton, Managing Director, of ChemLogix Global, explains how

ISO tank containers revolutionized the way to handle, store, and transport
liquid products globally in the video below:

CLX Logistics, BulkTainer ISO tanks, via YouTube

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 10

 Bulk Liquids Transported in ISO Tanks

According to Vintage Road Haulage, the bulk liquids that can be transported
in an ISO tank include:

• All types of water

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Sulphuric Acid
• Nitric Acid
• Mining chemicals
• Food products
• Solvents
• Oils
• Resins
• Alcoholic beverages

Challenges Faced by ISO Tanks

Longer tank container life becomes challenging if the tank was last used
to carry a solid. In some cases, solids are pumped into the tank as a high-
temperature liquid and then the cargo solidifies during shipment. At the
receiving end, the properly built ISO tank can be connected to ship steam or

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 11

house steam to heat the entire tank making the cargo melt or liquify which
can then pour out of the bottom tank drain.

This process can also be assisted by pressurizing the vessel with air at the
top vent to force the viscous material out the drain. While effective for
certain loads, this technique is not good for the life of the tank as it places an
extraordinary strain on the shell itself that can lead to cracks and leaks.

Generally, ISO tanks in transit are at ambient temperature (at the

temperature of their surroundings). Some tanks have heating and cooling
equipment built in to run electrically while on the ship or truck chassis; like
the refrigerated over-the-road truck trailers that carry food and dairy goods.
Obviously, the means of carriage has to provide the electricity or steam to
maintain the temperatures of the ISO tank.

In addition to accidents in transit, loading or unloading, changes in

temperature and pressure inside the vessel can stress the shell.

The most common injury to the coating of an ISO tank is breaking or chipping
the coating while working around or in the tank with tools and large hose
connections. Any metal exposed to the corrosives will break down a little at
a time. If the protective coating is broken, the corrosion of the exposed metal
can break the bond of the coating to the exposed metal around it.

Some of the protective coatings are field repairable. Technicians can clean and
replace only those areas broken off to restore the integrity of the tank. Some
coatings will require complete blasting of the vessel and a complete re-coat.

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 12

 Conclusion

The benefits outweigh any challenge faced by tank containers.

ISO tank containers are built to meet ISO standards making it suitable for
different modes of transportation, and built to carry hazardous cargo. An
intermodal container can be used from ship-to-rail-to-truck without having to
unload and reload.

To carry aggressive cargoes, tank containers line its tanks for added corrosion
protection. The tank lining of the ISO containers offers high performance,
durability and a longer life span. A great tank lining or coating is invaluable to
handle the severity of transport.

ISO Tank Containers: Usage, Components, and Safety Page 13