Shipping Storage Tanks and Bulk Storage Vessels
Storage tanks hold the crude, refined product, chemicals, and water that keep refineries, terminals, and process plants supplied. Some arrive as finished shop-built vessels, while the largest ship as flat steel plate and structural sections for field erection on site. Texas International Freight ships storage tanks worldwide from the US Gulf as container, breakbulk, and project cargo. Do you need a shop-built tank delivered ready to set, or a full field-erected tank kit exported to a plant site?
Storage Tanks We Ship
We handle atmospheric and low-pressure storage across oil, gas, chemical, and water service, in both shop-built and field-erected forms.
- Shop-built vertical and horizontal storage tanks
- Field-erected API 650 tank kits shipped as plate
- Fixed-roof, floating-roof, and cone-bottom tanks
- Bolted and welded water and process tanks
- Insulated and jacketed tanks
- Nozzles, manways, roof structures, stairways, and appurtenances
Which form ships depends on diameter. Tanks that fit within transport limits move complete, while wide-diameter tanks travel as rolled plate, roof sections, and hardware that a crew welds up at the destination.
How Storage Tanks Ship
Shop-built tanks that stay within container dimensions ship on flat rack or open-top equipment, while larger complete tanks move as breakbulk or on a chartered vessel. Field-erected tanks ship as bundled steel plate, structural sections, and crated hardware in containers or as breakbulk. We plan the mode for each tank or kit by diameter, length, and weight.
Our team handles export packing, edge protection for rolled plate, and custom crating for nozzles, valves, and fittings. We block, brace, and lash every item for ocean transit and bundle plate to prevent distortion. For a tank farm or a multi-tank order we run the project logistics from mill or shop collection through port handling to site delivery. New tanks ship clean and empty as general cargo; where a used tank holds product residue, we flag any dangerous goods and prepare the matching paperwork. Tanks bound for refineries often ship alongside pressure vessels and columns in the same program.
Documentation and Customs
Each shipment travels with a commercial invoice, packing list, and ocean bill of lading. We prepare a certificate of origin where the destination requires one and assign the correct Harmonized System code to complete tanks, steel plate, and fittings so duties are assessed accurately. Where residue triggers dangerous goods rules, the declarations travel with the cargo. Acting as your customs broker, we manage clearance at origin and destination.
Texas International Freight ships storage tanks worldwide from our Houston base at 11511 Katy Fwy #320, Houston, TX 77079. Call +1 877-489-9184, email ship@txintlfreight.com, or use our contact page for a quote.
Do large storage tanks ship assembled or as a kit?
Tanks within transport limits ship complete, while wide-diameter tanks ship as rolled plate, roof sections, and crated hardware for field erection on site.
How is a shop-built storage tank shipped overseas?
Smaller tanks ship on flat rack or open-top equipment, and larger complete tanks move as breakbulk or on a chartered vessel, blocked, braced, and lashed for ocean transit.
Are storage tanks dangerous goods?
New tanks ship clean and empty as general cargo. If a used tank holds product residue, we flag the dangerous goods and prepare the required declarations.
What documents are needed to ship storage tanks?
A commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, plus a certificate of origin where required and the correct Harmonized System code for tanks, plate, and fittings.
Where does Texas International Freight ship storage tanks from?
From the US Gulf, handled through our Houston base, to refineries, terminals, and process plants worldwide.
