Bulk Distributor Jul/Aug 16 | Page 6

6 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers July / August 2016

6 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers July / August 2016

Fleet investment for VTG

VTG Tanktainer has invested in 1,300 new tank containers to boost its fleet since May 2016 . The new build programme amounts to € 18 million of investment , and the VTG subsidiary says it emphasises its commitment to safety and quality , as well as allowing customers to benefit from a modern and technically sophisticated tank container fleet . “ With this new-build programme , we ’ re reacting to the current market situation and simultaneously preparing for the future ,” explained Heike Clausen , managing director of VTG Tanktainer GmbH . To satisfy the various technical requirements of each customer quickly and flexibly , the company is producing tanks that conform to high-quality unit specifications . About 1,000 standard T11 20ft tank containers were built for VTG by Singamas . In particular , these new-builds will be of use in transport operations within Asia , where market demand remains high , added VTG . The operator has also commissioned the construction of highquality tanks in South Africa and Belgium , which , for example , are fitted with integrated surge plates or electric heating , or which would allow the transport of hydrogen peroxide . “ Our customers are not the only ones who expect state-of-the-art equipment ,” added Clausen . “ We have , of course , made it our mission to transport highly sensitive goods of this sort in the safest way possible . That ’ s where our competence lies .”

VTG says its new tanks will be of use for operations in Asia where demand remains high

Abbey continues intermodal growth

UK firm Abbey Logistics Group is adding to its intermodal presence by purchasing 10 more tank containers from a Chinese manufacturer . The latest delivery adds to Abbey ’ s existing fleet of bulk intermodal silos , which transport foodstuffs from France to the UK . Since starting on its growth strategy in 2009 , Abbey has expanded from turnover of £ 18 million to £ 45 million , according to its latest set of accounts to June 2015 , some £ 5 million ahead of its forecast turnover . Part of its growth has come as a result of growing its volumes with customers based in continental Europe and the group has ambitious plans to continue this growth . Managing director Steve Granite said : “ Continental Europe has long been a marketplace we planned to grow into and despite [ the Brexit vote ], we are still confident that with our existing and new clients we can increase our share of the Europe-UK market . “ The latest delivery of ISO tank containers will enable us to operate more efficiently versus driver accompanied road tank solutions , allowing us to grow our market share . We strongly expect to be increasing our intermodal container fleet over the coming years as we become more competitive in this market and win new business .” Granite continued by outlining the development plans for the business over the next five years . As well as growing its core domestic business in bulk liquid and powder transport , the company also expects to see strong growth from its warehousing and European tanker / tank container divisions . “ Increasing our intermodal fleet also supports our key company value of providing greener logistics solutions ,” he added .

Bustling village

Exhibitors in the ITCO Tank Container Village at the biannual transport logistic China exhibition in Shanghai reported a successful three days . On the second day of the event , ITCO was represented at a conference on ‘ Development Trends and Opportunities in China ’ s Hazardous Chemicals Logistics ’. The important subject of chemical logistics safety and regulations was presented by Roy Li , deputy GM , COSCO Chemical Logistics and general manager COSCO VTG Tanktainer . Leo Yang , general manager , Nantong CIMC Tank Equipment , focused on the tank container market , with a review of the benefits of tank containers compared with other modes of transport . A total of 28 members exhibited at this year ’ s ITCO Village , an increase of 20 percent on 2014 .

Safe as barges

Medlink Ports launched its new service for dangerous goods ( DGs ) transport at the beginning of July . Only four percent of DGs passing through the southern France port of Marseilles are carried to their final destination by inland waterway , despite the port being situated at the mouth of the River Rhône , one of the longest navigable waterways in Europe . To combat the decision-making behind this under-utilisation , Medlink Ports launched Medlink Safe , which aims to promote the carriage of containerised DGs by water , viewing it as safer than by road . Within the Medlink Ports group are two seaports – Marseilles and Sète – and the river ports of Lyons , Chalon-sur-Saône , Mâcon , Pagny , Villefranche-sur-Saône , Vienne Sud , Avignon-le-Pontet and Arles . Infrastructure agencies Rhône-Saône , VNF and CNR complete the line-up . Announced six months ago , Medlink Safe is now operational on the Rhône for DG container exports . The first services are thanks to co-operation between the ports of Lyons and Marseilles , Lyon Terminal and barge operators Greenmodal and Logirhône . The aim is to standardise the handling of containerised DGs between Lyons and Marseilles-Fos . Medlink Safe says one of the advantages lies in the advance notification of arrival at port , facilitating immediate support for DG containers once in Fos . And to simplify the logistics chain , containers going by river are guaranteed one night in Lyon and a second day of terminal storage in Marseilles . Medlink Ports hopes the scheme will eventually raise the share of river transport for DGs in the region to 20 percent .