This protocol is provided by ROWL United to all clients and third parties handling shipments using flexitanks after ROWL United has completed delivery to Client. It sets out the mandatory steps to follow in the event of a flexitank leak. Strict compliance is essential for safety, enviromental protection, cargo salvage, and to facilitate successful insurance claims. This protocol is incorporated with and made a part of all service agreements and Rowl’s Terms & Conditions.
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- Above all, the safety of people and other living things comes first. Take all measures reasonably available to preserve and protect life.
1. Why This Matters?
- Flexitank leaks, while are rare, may cause safety risks, possible environmental damage, and financial losses if not handled correctly.
- Immediate, disciplined action limits the scale of loss and protects people and the environment.
- Following this protocol helps to ensure that claims are recoverable through insurance coverage.
- ROWL United and its insurers require full compliance with this process.
2. Immediate Response — The First Hour
- STOP and ISOLATE: Halt operations. If the Flexitank is in transit, stop the vehicle to the nearest secure location. Cordon the area and secure the site. Establish a safe zone based on the type of chemical involved and wind direction to avoid inhalation or skin exposure.
- Contact local fire departments, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams, and facility emergency coordinators without delay.
- Responders must wear PPE suitable for the material type—this could include full-body chemical suits, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), gloves, and chemical-resistant boots. Never approach an ISO tank emergency without the appropiate gear.
- DO NOT open the container doors until ROWL or an authorized responder, including first responders as the case may be, confirms it is safe.
- After it has been determinated that the area is safe to enter, protect drains and water sources by developing covers, booms, or absorbents to prevent product from entering.
- Notify inmediately: contact ROWL’s Incident Commander (IC) and HSE contact 936 279 0372; Juan Felipe Camargo. Clients must also notify their cargo insurer and carrier as soon as reasonably possible.
- Once the leak is contained, ROWL United may send an immediate response surveyor to the containment site for evaluation and investigation. Client shall not impede such evaluation or investigation.
- Refer to Safety Data Sheets provided (SDS) for specfific information regarding product handling.
3. Mandatory Photo, Video and Other Evidence
Clients must provide the following photos, videos and physical evidence:
- Container exterior: doors, front, sides, seals, container number, and rating plate.
- Interior upon opening: bulkhead, flexitank serial number, bag overview, liquid level, and visible leak.
- During unloading: corrugated paper (left, right, front) and soaked areas.
- After unloading: full bag view, leak point close-ups, container interior, bulkhead, corrugated paper, and floor.
- Residual cargo and valves: viscosity, valve number close-ups.
- Video footage of unloading process and leak site.
- Weight certificates before and after leakage.
- Once drained and to the extent it is safe to do so, have the trained operator cut out the portion of tank involved with the leak and send it to Rowl for examination.
NOTICE: Failure to capture and proved full evidence may delay or void insurance claims.
4. Mandatory Documents for Claims
- Original and post-transfer weight certificates.
- Commercial invoice and sales contract.
- Interchange receipts before and after the incident.
- Waybill, driver license copy, and logistics agreement.
- Consignee receiving note with losses list (or shipper statement if missing).
- Invoices/receipts for losses and buyer claim letter.
- Complete Incident Report with detailed handling steps and root cause analysis.
- Signed liability claim form with company seal.
- Confirmation of marine cargo insurance coverage and any inspection/settlement reports from insures.
5. Root Cause Investigation & Closure
- ROWL will lead inspection of valves, film, bulkhead, and container condition.
- Damaged flexitank must be safeguarded until ROWL authorizes disposal or testing by an independent surveyor.
- If cause cannont be determined onsite, samples shall be sent to ROWL’s lab or local approved testing facilities.
- ROWL and client will conduct and incident review to confirm causes, responsibilities, and corrective actions.
- Final insurer claim or internal settlement, depending on findings.
6. Cargo Transfer (If Salvageable)
- Only trained operators may transfer cargo into another flexitank, ISO tank, IBCs, or drums.
- All hoses, pumps, and adaptors must be ROWL-approved, clean, compatible, and securely connected.
- Prime pumps correctly before use; secure all joints before transfer.
- If it is safe to do so, pull a sample of the product.
- Weigh receiving units after transfer and retain weight certificates.
7. Critical Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do notify local fire departments, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams, and facility emergency coordinators without delay.
- Do notify ROWL United immediately of any leak, no matter how smaill.
- Do protect drains, soil, and water sources.
- Do provide photos and documents exactly as listed in this protocol.
- Do keep the damaged flexitank intact and stored safely until ROWL advises.
Don’ts
- Do not open the container doors without authorization.
- Do not discard damaged flexitank material without ROWL’s approval.
- Do not delay in notifying ROWL, the insure, and the carrier.
8. Client Responsibility
By working with ROWL United, clients agree to follow this leak protocol fully and without exception. Compliance helps to ensure ROWL can protect people, the environment, and your cargo while securing full insurance coverage. Non-compliance may result in denied claims or additional liability.
For mor information you can contact us at [email protected]