FLUECHEM DELIVERS 150mt OF CAUSTIC SODA 50% WHEN ALL OTHER SUPPLIER OPTIONS FAILED

Part of the Fluechem offering sits heavily on our proven ability to be problem solvers and this was expertly evidenced in a recent job of ours. As a dynamic organisation, underpinned by years of global experience, we were able to safely deliver 150mt of Caustic Soda 50% to a container ship in the US by barge and tanker trucks when all other supplier options had failed.

URGENT CAUSTIC SODA 50% SUPPLY

Having been let down by their regular supplier, a major container line shipowner approached Fluechem with an urgent and immediate requirement for Caustic Soda 50% in the US. The shipowner required the Caustic Soda 50% to reduce the SOx emissions associated with the recent loading of high sulphur bunker fuel due to the lack of low sulphur fuel oil being available.

The vessel was alongside at a New York harbour container terminal and 24 hours from running out of Caustic Soda 50% which would have had serious environmental and financial impacts. A quick call to Fluechem’s local US 24/7 telephone line, allowed the operations team to gather enough information to prepare a proposal. This plan laid out that Fluechem would deliver enough Caustic Soda 50% to keep the vessel fully compliant with the Emission Control Area regulations until arrival at the next US port of Houston, whilst recognising the requirements of not interrupting the container operations currently underway or delaying the vessel’s departure.

Fluechem’s operations team drew upon their extensive experience and quickly identified that a bulk delivery by road tanker was not an option due to the ongoing container operations. Subsequently they developed a proposal to deliver the maximum quantity available from stock at the time of 25 x 275 US gallon totes of Caustic Soda 50% to the vessel. This was done by loading them onto a barge and pumping the contents directly into the vessels storage tank whilst tied up alongside, enabling the product to be used immediately. Through its local partnerships which are pre-approved for “over the water” transfers, Fluechem provided a fully integrated delivery solution including liaising with the vessel’s agent, terminal operator and Coast Guard to ensure the operation was carried out safely and efficiently in line with all the relevant guidance and regulations.

STAGE TWO

Once the initial “urgent” part of the overall solution was developed the balance of more than 100 tonnes of Caustic Soda 50% was scheduled to be delivered in bulk by road tanker in Houston during the vessels planned port call the following week. However, upon arrival at Houston, the vessel was instructed to anchor for 10 days as no berth was available meaning yet again the plan had to be adapted to avoid the vessel running out of Caustic Soda 50%.

In conjunction with our local launch company partner and pumping specialists in Galveston, the operations team amended the road tanker delivery schedule to divert one of the tanker trucks to fill up empty totes held in stock with Caustic Soda 50%, which could then be loaded onto a shared launch for delivery to the vessel whilst at anchor. The quantity and timing being optimised throughout to provide the most cost effective solution overall. Through careful scheduling with the terminal operator and vessel team, upon berthing at the Houston container terminal, 3 tanker trucks loads of Caustic Soda 50% were successfully delivered safely and efficiently without any impact on the container operations.

The vessel departed as planned having remained compliant throughout.

Niall Roberts, Fluechem’s CEO added

“Having the right capabilities and strengths in house, along with right partnerships and processes, allows us to create innovative delivery solutions, even at short notice, to meet our customers’ requirements cost effectively whilst maintaining best in class safety, quality  and efficiency standards in an environmentally sensitive manner. Working closely with all the stakeholders involved has allowed us to ensure that the vessel’s crew could continue their hard work onboard without the added complications of not being able to comply with the stringent emission standards.”

For more information on how our industry experts can help contact us today.