Abstract: A modular tank unit for utilizing vessels of opportunity to serve as carriers for transportation and handling of specialty liquids or flowable particulate products or to serve as a terminal ashore receiving and dispensing to truck, rail, barge or other receiving facilities. The modular tank unit has a rectangular intermodal framework of predetermined dimension and tare weight permitting its transportation by cargo vessel, hopper barge and by rail for positioning inland or at shore facilities. A tank may be adapted for other modes of transportation and may be removably secured within the rectangular framework. The modular tank unit in its smaller dimension can be transported empty by rail and can be positioned in the field by portable crane. The modular tank unit defines a pump compartment having a pumping and draining manifold and portable pump and valve assembly for fluid handling, enabling the modular tank unit to be “active” for power energized pumping or “passive” for gravity discharge.

Abstract: Methods for transporting and unloading liquid cargo by water borne vessels are disclosed. At least two unstackable containers are transported to a remote unloading location by water borne vessel. One of the containers, substantially empty, is unloaded from the vessel onto a dockage area. Liquid cargo from the second unstackable container can be offloaded onto the dockage area and the proceeds repeated from third, fourth, and so on, unstackable containers until all liquid cargo desired to be offloaded resides in the dockage area in the unloaded containers.

Abstract: A prefabricated, self-contained and self-supporting container (10) for converting dry cargo vessels in whole or in part to bulk liquid products carriers and for rapidly transporting, storing and dispensing bulk liquid products at remote locations lacking storage and dispensing facilities. A loading rack (140) allows for rapid and convenient filling of tank trucks or tank cars from the container. A plurality of active or passive containers may be connected in series to create a large terminal facility or tank farm capable of storing and dispensing a large volume of a single product or smaller volumes of a plurality of compatible products. A method for loading and unloading said containers is provided by off-loading an empty container and filling it with liquid cargo from a loaded container. The newly empty container may then itself be off-loaded and filled from yet another full container.