May/June 2019
B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
Inspection
Let’s talk about safety
25
W
hile global chemical businesses grow, demand for the
transport of chemicals also increases hand-in-hand.
As a result there is increased pressure on the transport of these
dangerous goods. Tank container operators and lessors therefore have
a high responsibility; following both national and international
regulations and satisfying their clients under a demanding operational
pressure.
It is Bureau Veritas’s organisational ambition to prioritise safety
within the transport and logistics market without jeopardising the
operational process of our clients.
Each stakeholder has however an individual obligation to ensure
safety within its supply chain. Bureau Veritas can offer guidance to
organisations to understand and meet with the complexities of the
rules and regulations that govern the tank container industry and at
the same time enable the stakeholder to manage operational growth.
In 2018 Bureau Veritas organised its first International Technical Tank
Container Conference (ITTCC), where knowledge was shared but
there was also emphasis on the responsibilities of all stakeholders. In
doing this, Bureau Veritas offered a platform to start a much needed
global conversation and facilitate the sharing of opinions interactively
among port authorities, competent authorities, operators, lessors and
various other industry experts.
Overall the conference in its first year proved to be a great success
and its attendees; it further solidifies the need for industry specialists
to meet regularly. Bureau Veritas will continue on a bi-yearly bases
with this initiative and therefore demonstrate its commitment to the
tank container industry.
2018 was the year of listening to clients and drawing down how
Bureau Veritas can help the meet their expectations. 2019 is the start
of a two year strategic plan were the company will increase its global
coverage, deliver certificates faster and first time right, develop its
inspection tool Hermes, and constantly increase the quality of service
by the development of e-learnings.
With an international transport inspectors network of nearly 400
qualified inspectors in 46 countries, backed by three, strategically
placed, technical centres around the world, Bureau Veritas ensures the
quality of tanks through their life cycle.
At each tank’s inception, Bureau Veritas offers a review of designs
which ensures the tank’s type approval. Furthermore, initial
inspections act as a check on the quality during the manufacturing
phase. In addition to this, periodic and voluntary inspections ensure
the tank’s viability while operating.
Last year Bureau Veritas organised its first International
Technical Tank Container Conference where was an
emphasis on the responsibilities of all stakeholders
The firm’s expertise spans a full range of services including a mobile
solution to issue inspection certificates in real time and without any
editorial mistakes in a customer dedicated website.
Bureau Veritas also partners with organisations to ensure safety and
regulatory compliance when transporting dangerous goods globally.
Expanding container services
To give best possible support to clients, Bureau Veritas Germany
expanded the service portfolio to perform periodic inspections of rail
tank cars and road tankers. Tank containers, as well as tank cars and
road tankers, must meet a variety of national and international
requirements regarding safety, standards and specifications.
Therefore, they must be inspected periodically by independent
inspection companies.
Bureau Veritas services now range from the certification of new
containers (according to CSC, ADR, RID, IMDG and TPED), to legally
required periodic inspections, to special tests for repairs or after
cleaning.
Bureau Veritas is at transport logistic in Munich on 4-7 June (booth
703/8.)
www.bureuaveritas.com
Best terminal
prĂĐƟĐĞ
B
ringing storage terminal best practice to the fore, SGS
recently hosted a technical session on ‘Best Practices to
Operate Tank Terminals in a Safe and Reliable Manner’ for the
Terminal Association of Pakistan (TAP).
The session was delivered by SGS industrial services business
manager Muhammed Aqeel, and the specially invited audience of
terminal owners, operators and managers, learnt about international
codes and standards, and the importance of compliance.
The session focused on the requirements for and implementation of
international codes and standards, to ensure that tank terminals are
maintained and operated in a safe and reliable manner. Emphasis was
placed on complying with legislative requirements to encourage safe
working and the implementation of best practices.
Looking beyond regulations and standards, the session also explored
case studies looking at various terminal incidents, their root causes
and how they relate to the management of people, plant and
processes.
SGS was joined in Karachi for this event by representatives from
more than 20 terminals.
Also in Karachi, more than 300 people attended an SGS technical
session in February focused on pipeline integrity assessment and
corrosion management.
The session explored the importance of integrity and reliability of
pressurised equipment in the refining and petrochemical industry.
Muhammed Aqeel introduced the audience to pipeline integrity
assessments through smart pigging solutions with a presentation
covering smart pigs and their benefits as a low risk, low cost, high
value solution for optimising pipeline operations while contributing to
pipeline integrity.
Attended by representatives from the petrochemical, refineries and
power sectors, and other stakeholders, this interactive session
encompassed live demonstrations of the state-of-the-art equipment
relating to mechanical, civil and electrical inspection services, with a
chance to network with subject specialists to discuss issues and
solutions. A case study was also presented and discussed.
In the USA, SGS has bought Chemical Solutions Ltd (CSL), based in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
CSL is a nationally recognised testing laboratory, specializing in
elemental and heavy metal testing for food, nutraceuticals, pharma
and cosmetic products. It provides services to many leading
companies in these industries, across the US and internationally. It is
cGMP registered by the USFDA, in addition to being ISO 17025
accredited.
Established in 1995 and privately owned, CSL employs
approximately 40 people and generated 2018 revenues of around
US$5.3 million.
“This acquisition strengthens our agriculture, food & life business in
the US, expanding our scope and geographical presence,” said
Frankie Ng, CEO of SGS.
www.sgs.com