Gas Free

When ships transport hazardous materials, hazardous vapors and contamination can be unsafe for people aboard and the next round of cargo. With gas free services from VLS, you can clean your vessel safely and stay on schedule for your next cargo shipment.

Permitted Product Cargos

Ships can carry a wide range of hazardous or contaminating cargos that require cleaning before the next trip. The VLS team is permitted to clean the following:

  • Non vapor control cargos: This category includes lube oil, LCO, diesel, naphtha, soybean oil, caustic, glycol, kerosene, olefins, jet fuels, crude oil, acids, and UREA.
  • Vapor control cargos: Materials include gasoline, benzenes, alkylates, aromatics, hydrocarbons, toluene, styrene, alcohols, ethanols, jet fuels, butanol, aviation gas, cat naphtha, condensate, acrylate, cumene, acetone, ketones, reformate, pygas, octane, ether, xylene, methanol, raffinate, mineral spirits, hexane, heptane, cat gas, and acrylate.
  • Chlorinated solvent cleanings: These cargos include chlorine, chloroform, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, trichloroethane, dichloroethylene, dichloroethane, perchloroethylene, ethylene dichloride, and methyl chloroform.

Permitted Cargos

1. Non Vapor Control Cargos

  • Lube Oil, LCO, Diesel, Naphtha, Soybean Oil, Caustic, Gylcol, Kerosene, Olephins, Jet Fuels, Crude Oil, Acids, UREA

2. Vapor Control Cargos

  • Gasoline’s, Benzenes, Alkylates, Aromatics Hydrocarbons, Toluene, Styrene, Alcohols, Ethanol’s, Jet Fuels, Butanol, Aviation Gas, Cat Naphtha, Condensate, Butanol, Acrylate, Cumene, Acetone, Keytones, Reformate, Pygas, Octane, Ether, Xylene, Methanol, Raffinate, Mineral Spirits, Hexane, Heptane, Cat Gas, Acrylate

3. Chlorinated Solvent Cleanings

  • Chlorine, Chloroform, Methylene Chloride, Trichloroethylene, Trichloroethane, Dichloroethylene, Dichloroethane, Perchloroethylene, Ethylene Dichloride, Methyl Chloroform

Our Services

VLS gas free solutions include a range of vapor control, flaring, purging, and cleaning services. Our team offers:

  • Marine vapor control unit: The VLS team can introduce vapor control units into vessels to meet United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations and limit harmful vapors in the atmosphere.
  • Liquid propane gas (LPG) flare: Flaring is the process of safely combusting volatile chemicals from your ship to prevent explosions and protect your crew. 
  • Nitrogen purging strip: Nitrogen purging is another method of displacing hazardous gases on your vessel. Our team uses relatively inert nitrogen gas to create a more stable atmosphere aboard your ship.
  • Strip/blow dry and hot/cold water washing: These washing procedures will ensure your vessel is clear of contaminants before reloading with new cargo.
  • Steaming: Steam cleaning is a comprehensive way to rid your ship of any harmful residues or unwanted materials. 
  • Crane service: If any components or materials need to be added to or removed from your vessel during the gas free process, we have cranes available to handle the job.
Crane at VLS's Port Arthur location

Location Capacity

The VLS gas free facility is located in Port Arthur, Texas. This location can provide gas free services for up to 16 30k barges at one time. It also features 1,500 feet of bulkhead waterfront and 12 feet of depth at the bulkhead. Our Port Arthur facility operates 24 hours to serve your needs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

At VLS, we believe sustainable practices today can pave the way for a healthier future. Our commitment to sustainability includes a dedication to the environment, hardworking people, and the governing bodies that guide us. 

We exemplify our commitment to sustainability in our gas free services to support your goals and connect to a larger global mission. These services rid your ship of harmful contaminants that pollute our environment. With comprehensive training, we ensure our team can handle these responsibilities safely, and in turn, protect your team from potential explosions and unstable atmospheres.

Our team also abides by any regulations set forth by the United States and the State of Texas to ensure your compliance every step of the way.

Contact VLS for Gas Free Services

VLS Environmental Solutions maintains a commitment to sustainability in every process. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our gas free services.

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