Due to a number of factors such as natural resource endowment, the refining process/refining infrastructure, and transportation costs, average fuel prices may be much more affordable in one country than another. That being said, it can be cheaper to import fuel rather than purchase it from local suppliers.
As many industries in several different countries still rely on fuel to meet their energy demands, large quantities of fuel are exported all over the world in an attempt by firms to avoid paying steep local fuel prices. Mostly, fuel transportation is done by ocean freight, for which the businesses may have to invest in vessels such as chemical storage containers at STOREMASTA (or get the supply from similar companies). Such precautions can help reduce the chances of ocean spills that are toxic in nature and could be harmful to water bodies as well as humans.
In addition to using containers and vessels to transport fuels and oils worldwide, the employees working in this field may also have to ensure their safety in case they are transporting hazardous chemicals. They could require gas masks to avoid inhaling toxic fumes and gloves to not get in direct contact with the materials. Such equipment can be bought by an employer online (click here to view the listing) to provide an adequate supply of safety gear to their employees working in the oil and shipping industry. Transportation of fuel is a necessary task since not all countries have their own oil wells and mines; however, the job also comes with its own risks and benefits.
Ocean Freight
For most locations, the most economical way of importing large quantities of fuel is via ocean freight. Some common ways that fuel is transported on the high seas are:
ISO-Tanks: ISO-Tanks are tank containers, sometimes referred to as tankainers, used for transporting a variety of substances worldwide. Built to ISO standards, ISO-Tanks are suitable for transporting hazardous material and other liquids, gases, and powder as bulk cargo over land, water, or air. It is still important for all personnel handling such material to wear safety gear and handle the tanks with care. Equipment such as spill kits should also be kept handy in case a quick clean-up of spills is required. This is even more important because of the hazardous nature of the substances.
Flexitanks: A Flexitank is a bladder or bag that fits into a standard ISO-Tank. They are used for storing and transporting fluids inside a cargo transport unit. The bags are prevented from moving by placing a bulkhead fixture to the end of the container. Flexitanks are made from many different materials (such as PVC) and are used for transporting food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other non-hazardous industrial products.
IBC Totes: Intermediate Bulk Containers, or IBC totes, are stackable industrial containers that can be moved using a forklift. Forklifts provide safe lifting as well as moving. Firms dealing in huge materials generally buy or rent a forklift to move all their products effectively. With that said, the term intermediate is used because the totes have a volume capacity that falls between drums and tanks. Available in different sizes and made with a variety of different materials, they are used to transport petrochemicals, foods and beverages, water, and other industrial products.
Drums: Drums are cylindrical containers used to transport hazardous and non-hazardous goods. They can have either open or welded tops and can be made of metal or plastic. Drums are commonly moved on pallets to facilitate easy handling and shipping.
In places with high average fuel prices, it makes financial sense to import fuel from elsewhere via one of the methods explored above.
