Bulk Distributor Nov/Dec 17

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Est . 1990

November / December 2017

BULKDISTRIBUTOR

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IN THIS ISSUE

Shipper 2 Intermodal 3 Tank Containers 5 Components 10 Industrial Packaging 12 Flexitanks & Liners 15 Logistics 17 Ports & Storage 19

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FEATURES IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Tank Containers Ports , Storage & Warehousing Cleaning & Repair Depots

New for 2018

S

tarting in 2018 , Bulk Distributor will be adding new editorial features to our unrivalled coverage of logistics and supply chain execution for bulk liquids , powders and gases . In addition , to our customary product focus , each issue will carry a Sector in Focus section examining the latest trends in specific market segments . First up in January / February will a focus on Pharmaceuticals . Throughout the rest of the year other sectors to be analysed will include : Food Grade , Gas & Cryo Goods , Minerals , Bulk Powders & Granulates , and Chemicals .

KN starts running driverless truck in Singapore

Automation in chemical logistics took another step forward in

October when Belgian group Katoen Natie started operating its first driverless truck at ExxonMobil ’ s manufacturing site in Singapore . The truck , built by Dutch company Terberg , transports products between the company ’ s packaging and intermediate storage facilities . It will operate on a 24 / 7 basis moving some 250,000 tons of product a year . After a six month test run , the project will be gradually expanded to 12 trucks , moving some 3 million tons of product a year . The project was conceived in 2016 , with the first prototype arriving in May this year . Trials were completed in September . The truck travels a distance of 3-4 km ( or 6-8 km per round trip ) from the packaging plant to storage yard . Each movement between the plant and storage yard involves the truck towing a laden 50ft long flatbed ( consisting of 22 pallets or 33 tons per load ) for discharge at the intermediate storage facilities and the truck towing the unladen flatbed back to the packaging plant for reloading . Key features of the navigation system include a controller which regulates speed and the position of truck to its predefined route , an RFID transponder which is implanted on the road and communicates with a reading antenna on the truck , and in-vehicle camera which allows remote access and viewing . An object detection system has a safety scanner , obstacle scanner , warning system ( including blue revolving light ), reverse warning light and buzzer . In case of emergency , 4 manual stops are fitted around the truck and a safety bumper triggers an emergency stop when in contact . By automating the process of moving product from one site to another the partners are hoping for greater consistency , as well as improved productivity and safety . Cost savings are also a factor and the project is an answer to a lack of drivers amid changing demographics in Singapore . Existing drivers have an opportunity to retrain and upgrade their skill levels . The project will be spread over three phases that will evolve around more advanced technology and scope of operation . After phase 1 , involving the operational deployment of the first truck between one of the packaging plants and the storage yard , the gradual expansion to a further 11 trucks will include other packaging plants . In phase 2 , the RFID transponder navigation system will give way to a GPS system , while in phase 3 trucks will be tested and deployed on public roads for shuttling between chemical plants on Jurong Island and even to Tuas . Katoen Natie worked with Dutch firm VDL Groep as partner for this project , which carried out the truck conversion and automation at its local VDL Automated Vehicles technology centre in Singapore . Theo Toussaint , executive vice president of VDL , said : “ We ’ re delighted to partner with Katoen Natie in this driverless truck project . The ambition of VDL is to become the leader in electric and automated heavy-duty vehicle applications and we see this project as another big step towards our goal .” Since establishment in Singapore 20 years ago , Katoen Natie has developed many new solutions there including safety inspections by drone , transport management through a specially developed mobile phone app and a range of new technologies in packaging and shipping operations . Koen Cardon , CEO of Katoen Natie Singapore , commented : “ The pilot driverless truck project is not an endgame but a milestone in a wide range of innovative solutions that we are introducing for our customers worldwide . Our Singapore operations have become a centre of excellence for Katoen Natie which will enable us to create value for our customers across the world . “ We combine engineering , technology and logistics operations to offer innovative and tailor made solutions to customers in a variety of sectors . This project is a perfect example of the innovation we bring to the forefront to create value for our customers as well as creating the opportunities to upgrade the skills of our workforce .” Robert W Johnston , ExxonMobil ’ s Singapore Chemical Plant manufacturing director , added : “ Driverless trucks are an example of how the industry continues to adopt automation to improve worker productivity .” Katoen Natie operates 165 logistics terminals in a network of 36 countries . The group selected Singapore as the location for this project given that it has both the vision and the right business environment to undertake it . “ Our partnership with the Economic Development Board has been of key importance for the realisation of this project . In addition , many other parties including a team of MBA students from the Singapore Management University ( SMU ) and the IE Business School have been pivotal for this project ,” said Cardon . Damian Chan , executive director , energy & chemicals , at Singapore Economic Development Board , said the board was excited to support Katoen Natie in making “ this innovative breakthrough ” in chemical logistics . “ The transformation of our industry cannot happen without a well-trained and future-ready workforce , and Katoen Natie ’ s commitment to retrain and upskill workers exemplifies Singapore ’ s continuous efforts to ensure our talent is ready to take on jobs of the future ,” he said . SMU ’ s associate professor of Operations Management ( Practice ), Professor Lieven Demeester , who guided students in his previous role as associate dean of MBA Programmes commented : “ We are proud of our MBA students . They helped Katoen Natie identify the technology partners , initiate a productive collaboration between them , and assure the financial viability of the project .”

The driverless truck transports products between the packaging and intermediate storage facilities