Working to Achieve
An unexpected pump failure resulted in a full plant shutdown at a bulk liquid storage facility. The failed pump was found to be in extremely poor condition, and replacement from the original manufacturer carried an estimated lead time of 26 weeks. With a vessel scheduled to arrive within one week, the objective was to restore pumping capability rapidly and avoid disruption to loading operations, vessel diversion, and associated commercial penalties.
The Challenge
The failed pump was critical to transferring product from a storage tank for vessel loading. With no alternative pump
available on site, operations were unable to continue. Failure to reinstate pumping capability in time would have required the vessel to divert to an alternative terminal. This would have resulted in significant financial exposure, including diversion costs, contractual penalties, and ongoing voyage expenses. The challenge was to identify and deliver a technically suitable solution within an extremely restricted timeframe.
Our Approach
AVTPUMP’s technical team carried out an immediate assessment of the pumped product, operating conditions, and system requirements to determine viable alternatives to the original OEM equipment. Rather than waiting for a like-for-like replacement, multiple pump manufacturers and configurations were evaluated. By thinking beyond the original specification, a close-coupled magnetic drive plastic pump was identified as a suitable equivalent. Minor adjustments to operational parameters allowed the pump to meet the duty safely and reliably.
The revised configuration resulted in a marginal increase in unloading time, up to a maximum of 30 minutes, which was acceptable for the operation and had no impact on vessel scheduling. The pump was assembled using UK-stocked components, fully built, pressure tested, and prepared for service. From initial failure to delivery, the complete solution was supplied within five days.
Follow-Up
The replacement pump was installed two days before the scheduled vessel arrival, restoring full operational capability well ahead of time. The storage tank was successfully unloaded without delay, avoiding vessel diversion and associated commercial penalties. The facility returned to normal operation with minimal disruption. The temporary pump has since been reused for multiple loading and unloading applications on site, continuing to deliver operational flexibility while the original long-lead replacement pump remains on order.
"This project demonstrated the value of technical flexibility and rapid decision-making. By identifying a viable equivalent pump and mobilising stock quickly, we were able to remove a critical operational risk for the site."
