International. Advanced Polymer Coating's (APC) MarineLINE ship tank lining system has become the first protective coating approved on Shell's cargo handling sheet for transporting monoethylene glycol (MEG).
APC maritime manager Captain Onur Yildirim said the approval follows a rigorous nine-month study.
According to Yildirim, laboratory tests conducted by APC and Shell chemists showed that a liner can carry a shipment of benzene followed by a shipment of MEG without cross-contamination.
Previously, according to Shell's cargo handling sheet, which is used for vessels chartered on behalf of Shell, tanker operators were not allowed to load MEG into lined tanks due to the risk of contamination.
As a result, only tankers with stainless steel tanks could carry MEG, which is used as a solvent.
"We are grateful to Shell for giving us this opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of MarineLINE. The tests, independently verified by quality assurance company Intertek for Shell, showed that MarineLINE's low absorption characteristics allow it to transport these two chemicals without cross-contamination," Yildirim said.
"We tested benzene, as it is a load that can be easily absorbed into tank liners. But the MarineLINE performed robustly and did not absorb benzene, which ensured the purity of MEG's cargo," Yildirim noted.
"This underscores why MarineLINE is unique in the coatings market for its ability to transport highly aggressive chemicals without absorption, allowing operators to change grades frequently."
