Clarify what is being offered
Establish whether the proposal provides exclusive tank use, a volume allocation or another arrangement. Ask what the customer controls and how inventory is recorded. Do not assume every terminal offers both options.
Ask about quality and segregation
Confirm product compatibility, segregation, measurement and sampling responsibilities. Where products may be commingled, obtain a clear explanation of the applicable conditions and quality controls.
Review flexibility and cost
Compare minimum capacity, term, throughput and service charges on an equivalent basis. The best arrangement depends on the product and programme, rather than the label attached to the option.
Clarify what the proposed arrangement means
The words dedicated and shared should be defined in the actual proposal. Ask whether dedication refers to a tank, capacity allocation, a product grade or a period of use. For a shared arrangement, ask how inventory rights, product compatibility and movements are managed. Do not assume that a commercial label explains the physical configuration or the responsibilities of the parties.
- Identify the space or allocation covered by the quote.
- Ask how receipt and dispatch are scheduled.
- Clarify any restrictions on grade changes.
Put quality and stock accounting questions in writing
Describe the product specification and the degree of segregation your transaction requires. Ask how quantities are measured and recorded, which movement records are provided and how discrepancies are addressed. Where independent inspection or testing is required, agree its scope and timing separately. The appropriate arrangement depends on the product, contract and operating procedure; a generic label cannot establish suitability.
- Confirm whether co-storage is proposed and on what basis.
- Ask which records support inventory reconciliation.
- Identify the procedure for quality concerns.
Compare the commercial consequences
A dedicated arrangement may have a different minimum commitment or changeover cost from an allocation within a wider operation. Ask which cleaning, handling or exit charges are relevant and how unused capacity is treated. Compare the options using the same inventory and movement assumptions. Choose only after both the operating definition and the commercial commitment are clear.
- Record included services and explicit exclusions.
- Consider the cost of changing product or leaving early.
- Request clarification wherever the contract and proposal differ.
Published by ${companyDisplayName()} · Practical guidance, reviewed 28 October 2026.