Transporting liquids and hazardous materials requires the right Tanker trucking company to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards. After analyzing safety records, pricing data, and customer reviews for all Maine Tanker carriers, we recommend PEP Transportation.
Discover some other top-rated Tanker trucking companies to find the best fit for your business’s specific shipping requirements and budget.
Top Tanker Trucking Companies in Maine
Why Trust FreightWaves Ratings?
There’s a reason we’re one of the world’s leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best trucking companies in Maine. Every Maine trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies’ safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companies in Maine for your commercial shipping needs.
PEP Transportation
32 Prescott St, Gardiner, ME, 4345- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Step deck
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
PEP Transportation (DOT: 25286) is a Maine-based trucking company established in 1955. With a fleet of advanced vehicles including 85 trucks and extensive cargo capabilities, they specialize in transporting a diverse array of materials such as building materials, construction equipment, metal sheets, coils, and large machinery. Their commitment to service quality is underscored by their team of 102 drivers, offering options such as flatbed and reefer transport, as well as hazardous materials handling. Notably, they ensure the safe transport of complex and oversized cargo with dedicated support and safety measures in place.
PEP Transportation extends significant support for commercial shipments, providing services like dedicated routes, regional and local drivers, as well as owner-operator opportunities. Their focus on driver benefits is clear, offering sign-on bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, flexible scheduling, and guaranteed home time. Additionally, they support driver development through ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement programs, alongside competitive compensation and various driving roles to cater to diverse needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 0.41
- Driver fitness: 0.18
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.16
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.55
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 102
- Revenue: $4,060,000
- Miles driven: 3,243,845
Richard Carrier Trucking, Inc.
46 Industrial Park Road, Skowhegan, ME, 4976- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Trash
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Container
- Step deck
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Richard Carrier Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 74288) is a reputable freight trucking company in Maine. Their services include transportation of building materials, construction items, garbage/refuse, general freight, logs, poles, beams, lumber, machinery, large objects, metal sheets, coils, rolls, and motor vehicles. With a fleet of 53 vehicles and 106 trailers, they boast specialized services such as drayage, dry van, intermodal containers, and step deck support, ensuring a broad range of cargo handling capabilities.
This company provides specialized support for commercial shipments, including hazardous materials handling and cross-docking services. Richard Carrier Trucking places a strong emphasis on driver welfare with benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, employee retirement plans, and paid time off. They also offer bonuses for safety and driver referrals, making them a preferred choice for comprehensive and reliable transportation solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 0.26
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.14
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.62
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 40
- Revenue: $15,584,000
- Miles driven: 3,331,896
H O Bouchard, Inc.
349 Coldbrook Rd, Hampden, ME, 4444- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Coal coke
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Hopper bottom
- Power only
- Tanker
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Hazardous materials
H O Bouchard, Inc. (DOT: 150251) is a reputable trucking company that has been serving Maine since 1958. With a fleet of 97 trucks, they specialize in transporting a variety of cargo, including building materials, chemicals, coal/coke, and large machinery. Their services also extend to handling dry bulk commodities and general freight, demonstrating their versatility and capability in shipping diverse types of products.
H O Bouchard, Inc. offers specialized support for commercial shipments, including power-only services, cross-border transport, and tanker operations. They prioritize safety with a satisfactory safety rating and moderate vehicle maintenance scores. The company provides health insurance, vision coverage, and tuition reimbursement to their drivers, ensuring a supportive work environment. With their flexible scheduling and experience in handling hazardous materials, H O Bouchard, Inc. stands out as a reliable and comprehensive choice for business owners looking for quality trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 0.52
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.23
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.68
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 5
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 93
- Revenue: $26,847,000
- Miles driven: 5,056,196
Sysco Northern New England, Inc.
36 Thomas Drive, Westbrook, ME, 4092- Fleet size: 50-99 Corp Only
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- Produce
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Tanker
- Lift-gate
Sysco Northern New England Inc. (DOT: 284941) started operations in 1984 and has since built a strong reputation handling various cargo types such as chemicals, fresh produce, meat, paper products, and refrigerated food. The fleet consists of 75 trucks, maintaining an average fleet age of four years, and they operate primarily within interstate commerce.
Specializing in refrigerated food transport, Sysco Northern New England Inc. offers services like lift-gate delivery, ensuring efficient handling of temperature-sensitive shipments. They maintain a satisfactory safety rating and prioritize safe driving with zero unsafe driving violations reported. Though they do not provide certain benefits like health insurance or tuition reimbursement, their focus on cargo quality and safety makes them a competent choice for businesses needing reliable trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 7
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.23
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.82
- Controlled substances: 0.57
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 82
- Revenue: $548,480
- Miles driven: 2,780,000
Steelstone Industries
154 Steelstone St, Houlton, ME, 4730- Fleet age: 2 years
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Container
- Step deck
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Steelstone Industries (DOT: 164914) is a reputable trucking company based in Maine, specializing in intrastate non-hazardous freight. Established with a strong focus on safety and reliability, they boast a fleet of 37 trucks, including dry vans and box trucks, and are well-equipped for various types of cargo such as building materials, construction equipment, and large machinery. Their services include reefer transportation, flatbed trucking, and drayage services, making them versatile for multiple freight needs.
Steelstone Industries stands out with their dedicated support for commercial shipments, offering specialized drivers, hazmat transportation, and a range of employee benefits like health and dental insurance, paid time off, and a retirement 401k plan. They also provide sign-on and safety bonuses, direct deposit, and flexible scheduling options. With programs like tuition reimbursement and ongoing training, they ensure their drivers are well-prepared and supported, making them a reliable partner for business owners looking to ship their products efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.11
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: intrastate non-hazardous
- Drivers: 25
- Revenue: $10,658
- Miles driven: 416,850
Robin A Crawford & Son Woods Company, Inc.
92 Access Road, Chester, ME, 4457- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Conditional
Cargo Types
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Flatbed
- Conestoga
- Hopper bottom
- Pneumatic
- Power only
- Tanker
- Lift-gate
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Robin A Crawford & Son Woods Company, Inc. (DOT: 434664) is a reputable trucking company established in 1987 and based in Maine. Specializing in carrying logs, poles, beams, lumber, and machinery, they operate a modest fleet of 21 trucks and 42 trailers, and have a dedicated team of 10 interstate drivers. The company offers a variety of specialized services including conestoga trailers, power-only transport, and hopper bottoms, ensuring versatile solutions for different types of cargo needs.
Robin A Crawford & Son Woods Company provides exceptional support for commercial shipments, including hazardous materials hauling and heavy-duty drayage services. They prioritize driver welfare and customer satisfaction, offering additional benefits such as guaranteed home time, sign-on bonuses, safety bonuses, health insurance, and retirement plans. With a focus on continuous improvement, they offer ongoing training and development programs, making them a trusted partner for all your shipping needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.18
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.16
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 10
- Revenue: $13,096
- Miles driven: 644,780
How Safety Ratings Work in Maine
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program evaluates trucking companies using BASICS (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories)
Here’s a look at what each of the BASICS cover:
- Crashes: Trucking companies are required to report any accidents that result in injury or death. The FMSCA uses these state-reported crashes to determine any patterns of crash involvement and potential behaviors contributing to that pattern.
- Unsafe driving: This CSA category covers behaviors like texting and speeding that can lead to accidents
- Driver fitness: The FMCSA requires trucking companies to keep up-to-date records on their drivers. That includes identification and paperwork like CDLs, annual driving reviews, and any relevant medical certifications or documentation. Violations of this category will result in lower overall safety scores.
- Hours-of-service compliance: The FMCSA cites truckers and trucking companies that do not follow or enforce hours-of-service regulations that limit how much time a large commercial vehicle operator can be on the road without rest.
- Vehicle maintenance: Truckers are responsible for completing inspections before hitting the road on a route. They must also log any issues and have repairs to those identified problems completed before operating the truck.
- Controlled substances: As with all vehicle operators, truckers must be sober behind the wheel. This category accounts for violations issued to a trucking company’s driver(s) for being under the influence of or in possession of alcohol and street drugs or prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines that could impair judgement.
- Hazardous materials violations: Trucking companies and their drivers must exhibit proper loading and handling of hazardous materials, including labeling these items correctly, ensuring packaging meets regulations, and follows all restrictions and rules for the vehicle type.
Companies scoring a zero for any or all of the above categories did not receive any citations or other violations within a given month. Essentially, any trucking company that has multiple zeroes in these categories can likely be considered a safe freight shipper in compliance with all FMCSA standards and regulatory requirement.
Choosing the Right Maine Tanker Trucking Company for Your Shipments
A reputable Tanker trucking company is essential for safely transporting liquids or hazardous materials for your manufacturing company, agricultural business, or chemical distribution center in Maine.
Here are some important factors to consider:
- Tank type and capacity: Choose a Mainecompany with the appropriate Tanker types for your specific cargo, whether it’s for chemicals, food-grade liquids, or petroleum products.
- Safety and compliance: Look for Tanker carriers with strong FMCSA safety scores, particularly in terms of low hazardous materials violations and crashes. Make sure they also have a positive record of vehicle maintenance. A well-maintained fleet reduces the risk of leaks, spills, or breakdowns, which is particularly important when transporting chemicals or flammable materials.
- Equipment options: Some liquids require specialized Tanker trucks, such as pressurized or insulated tanks.
- Environmental and spill-prevention practices: Using a Maine carrier committed to environmental safety practices will likely lower the risk of spills and ensure responsible handling of hazardous materials.
- Experienced drivers: Certified drivers are essential for handling complex Tanker loads, especially when transporting sensitive or hazardous materials. Insurance: Verify that the carrier has robust insurance coverage, especially if you’re transporting high-value or hazardous liquids.
- Customer support: Reliable customer service is particularly important when you are shipping specialized or hazardous shipments. Find a Tanker carrier in Maine with real-time tracking tools and a designated logistics support team.
FAQs: Maine Tanker Trucking Companies
What is Tanker shipping, and when is it necessary for businesses in Maine?
Tanker shipping is the transport of liquids, gasses, or bulk chemicals using specialized trucks that maintain safety and containment standards. For businesses in Maine, tanker shipping is essential for safely moving substances like fuels, food-grade liquids, or industrial chemicals that require secure, leak-proof transportation to prevent contamination and ensure regulatory compliance.
What safety considerations are involved in Tanker shipping?
The safety considerations involved in Tanker shipping include strict compliance with regulations on handling, loading, and transporting hazardous materials to prevent spills and leaks. Maine businesses that ship chemicals or flammable substances must work with carriers that follow FMCSA hazardous materials guidelines. Proper driver training, equipment maintenance, and cargo containment are also crucial for safe and secure tanker transportation.
What factors should you consider when hiring a Tanker trucking company in Maine?
When hiring a Tanker trucking company, Maine businesses should consider the provider’s experience with specific cargo types, such as food-grade, chemical, or fuel transport. Companies with well-maintained fleets and experienced, certified drivers ensure safe handling and compliance with regulations.
